Lead Instructor: Dave Maxx
Lead Assistants: Winnie Jones, D-Wills, Kim Jones, Darrell Payne, Myron Stelle,
Tony Lymas, Dontasia Taylor, Karl Lerma, and Charius Haney
Class Size: 30 - 40
Class Length: 1 1/2 hour
Cost: $15
Count Taught: 6 count (5,6 1-2 step 3-4 step 5 6)
Location: The Dating Game, 8924 S. Stony Island, Chicago, Illinois
Day and Time: Thursday and Saturday 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Areas of Review

Basics/Intermediate: Yes

Winnie Jones was teaching the basic count to 3 beginning female students. All of them appeared to be picking up fast even when the music changed. She noticed that I was standing by the side line looking at them and asked if I needed assistance. When I told her who I was, she apologized and continued teaching her students.

About 6 intermediate students were reviewing previously taught moves and practicing with Tony Lymas. One couple seemed a little frustrated, but Tony showed the move 2 more times and they caught on.

Advanced Turns & Advanced Following: Yes

Maxx instructed 15 advance students. They were going over turns from last week's lesson and also learning a new move to bring the lady in closer for a mini walk, then release her back out to steppin'. Four assistants, Charius, Karl, Darrell, and Myron were helping out with the students. Then they split the group and showed the ladies a move first and then the men. After a new move was taught, the students changed partners to give them a good chance to work with others.

Service/Atmosphere: Positive

All of the students seemed focused and eager to learn. They practice on the dance floor of the club and were sectioned off into three groups: beginner, intermediate and advance. There is a bartender on duty during and after class for anyone to get a drink.

Music: Slow tempo/Classic steppers

The music played was slow tempo old school. DJ Lady C is the regular DJ for the class but was not there on the day I visited. Tony Lymas is the back up DJ. Fish (Majestic Gents) was there with his CD collection.

Individual Attention: Yes, 30 minutes before class

Maxx and many of his assistants arrive early before class to help any student that wishes to work on a problem area.

Weaknesses: In my opinion, the low lighting in the entire place was more for a club setting, instead of for class instructions. Yes, classes are held at a lounge, but while class is being taught, the brighter lights should be turned on to allow better viewing for the students. There also was a a green light pointing to the dance floor that was blinding and making me dizzy.

Strengths: There were many strengths, one being that this class teaches walkin'. There are a lot of guys who want to learn walkin'. One guy at the bar said to me, this was the only class he's found that teaches this form of the dance. The music selections are slow beats to allow better understanding of the basics as well as advance moves. This is a good choice so that students can clearly see the fundamental of a complex turn without having to try and capture it all with a faster song. Also, footwork, correct timing, beats of music, and proper hand placement are skills and good strengths that were taught here as well. Another strength was that all assistant instructors are personally taught and trained by Maxx for 2 years before they became teachers themselves. Each instructor charts the students abilities to see everyone's level and to know who to work with more and who to promote on to the next level.

Final Comments: There were about 20 students the day I visited. Maxx told me this was a slow night, because the student class size is usually really big. He stated there's always enough assistants to help any student. Many old skoolers came by while I was there like Maddy B, Steppin' Greg, Sylvia and T. Pratt. Although I didn't like the low lights for a class, I did like them after the class was over for my partying time. If you have ever seen Maxx out steppin' or in a contest, you know he has fantastic footwork, which he teaches to his class. Also, Maxx offer his students an "Under Ground Master Series." This is a class outside of the regular class schedule where students work only with Maxx, not privately, but with a smaller group of about 3 to 5 students. This is not offered to every student, only the intermediate or advance students with the most dedication. Many of Mak 3 students have won steppin' contests and started classes of their own.

Maxx has been teaching steppin' since 1999. Over the years, Mak 3 Dance group has broadened its teaching to expand to other cities. They currently have classes in many cities, including Los Angeles, Detroit, Gary, Indiana, Cleveland, Rochester NY, New York City, NY and London, as well as, the home city of Chicago. With Rap music being well known nationwide, he feels hip hop is destroying our youth with degrading lyrics. His vision is to teach the art of steppin' to have a different expression of music and dance for our culture. Mak 3 is listed in the yellow pages, teaches at corporate events and other groups.

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