Step I Dance & Fitness is Moving to Natomas

Image of truck with crane preparing to add sign to building that will house dance school in Natomas.

Step I Dance & Fitness is moving from midtown to Natomas next month. /Photo NatomasBuzz.com

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Photo of owners Mary Wright and Pepper Von with the words "We Are Moving!" above them and "Step I Dance & Fitness" below them.

Mary Wright and Pepper Von announced the move from midtown to Natomas in a letter to its member and via social media Sunday night.

Step I Dance & Fitness is moving to Natomas after being a midtown fixture for more than 30 years.

Owners Mary Wright and Pepper Von announced the big move Sunday night after touring the new location with their team of instructors.

The dance school is moving to the Park Place II shopping center and will be located at 4710 Natomas Boulevard in Suite 150.

Renovations on the 7,500 square-foot space formerly occupied by DressBarn should wrap up by the end of July, said Wright. Classes are expected to start at the new location in August in time for the fall session.

The dance school will have four studios: two with wood floors and two with cushioned vinyl. Three of the studios will be located near the front of the building and lined with windows.

“It’s going to be really beautiful and we are so excited,” said Wright.

Step I operated at its T Street location for 32 years. In August 2019, in the middle of their lease, Wright and Von were given a year’s notice to vacate the space to make room for the building to be redeveloped.

Wright and Von had hoped to remain in the midtown area, but said for various reasons it was not possible to do so. Both reside in Natomas.

“Step I is truly a family and we love each and every one of you,” Wright and Von wrote to their members, announcing the move. “We know this change of commute may not work for all, but we are praying you will make this transition with us.”

Step I just resumed in-person classes two weeks ago, Wright said.

The school has a company of competitive dancers and offers a variety of classes for children and teens including tap, ballet, jazz and hip hop. Classes for adults include tap, contemporary dance and hip hop. The school also holds group fitness classes such as body sculpting, stretching, Fierce Fit Funk and Zumba.

“We’re going to be adding daytime classes,” said Wright of the move to the Natomas location.