Over 39 Years...

Helping People Realize The Magic Of Dance

working with the psychological and physical barriers of the human body

LaurieAnn Lepoff
Professional Dance Instructor
Steps On Toes

With a professional dance teaching career spanning over 39 years, LaurieAnn Lepoff specializes in teaching people with two-left-feet to learn to dance. She teaches them the skills of leading and following and dancing to the music while working with the psychological and physical barriers of the human body. 

Dance Lessons in Oakland with LaurieAnn Lepoff

LaurieAnn's Story

Teaching is something that has always come easily to me and I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how people learn.  Before I started teaching dance, I was doing couples counseling and mediation, providing a path for better communication between parties in order to improve relationships. I was also teaching self defense classes to students with physical disabilities, using a very effective approach. I would ask each student when he/she felt the most vulnerable and when they felt the most strong. I would then study their vulnerabilities and come up with strategies, tailored to each student, to help them figure out how to best use their strengths in order to protect against their vulnerabilities.  It was challenging, but very rewarding and fun at the same time. It also helped set the stage for the work I do now. That ability to use one’s strengths to conquer weaknesses is an essential ingredient in my teaching philosophy.

Taught with one of the most famous dancers of all time

LaurieAnn has had the honor of teaching with one of the most famous Swing Dancers of all time, Frankie Manning (RIP Frankie, we love you).

“Dancing is present in some form in every human society since the dawn of humanity, without exception. It can be natural and instinctive...when you have the right teacher.”

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"...3 of the most unforgettable minutes of my life..."

"This was honestly 3 of the most unforgettable minutes of my life. We made it a point to be present and have fun, and thanks to you that was easy and beautiful. Thanks so much for helping us have the best day." Danny and Carl


Danny & Carl

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We had been planning on doing a swing dance for our wedding in the summer, and wanted to find someone local to teach us who had a flexible schedule. We sent Laurie Ann a YouTube video of a dance we liked to the music we wanted to use. Right off the bat, Laurie Ann gave us a lesson on the differences between lindy hop and the easier east coast swing, with detailed recommendations on how we should proceed in preparing for the dance.


Joy C


Dancing does not come easily to me and my fiance had almost zero experience. Laurie Ann not only taught us the dance moves, but explained the process from a mental point of view--how the brain learns. She gave us some great tips about practicing the dance steps in our heads to strengthen the brain when we weren't physically dancing. She was also great at finding little shortcuts and manageable moves for us to play with to spice up the routine.


Stacy J


​LaurieAnn is one of the most brilliant and funny teachers we've ever had in and outside of dancing. It is clear that she is not only knowledgeable of the art of dance but also the psychology of dancing with a partner.


Cara C

LaurieAnn's Beliefs

"I believe that dance is the embodiment of joy, and it’s my mission to spread that joy to people who would otherwise not have access to it. It is always rewarding to watch my students become comfortable and confident with dancing. After all, if my students learn to have fun on the dance floor and be fun to dance with, I’m doing my job!"


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