Biography & Class Description & Testimonials

Stephen Harding started dancing at age seven in San Francisco.   He was trained as an actor at the ROP program at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and then at UCLA as a full scholarship Theater Major.  

Combining his training as an actor with his jazz technique, he has created a class that teaches what he likes to call “Method” dance.

Although Stephen spent seven years dancing professionally in NYC and abroad, and is a member of AEA, SAG, AFTRA, and AGVA he was drawn to teaching at an early age.

In 1987 he began his teaching career at The David Howard Dance Center.  Later he would hold faculty positions at Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Ballet Arts at City Center, and Djoniba Drum and Dance Center. 

In 1991 he moved to New Dance Group.  He has refined the idea of combining character work with ballet based jazz technique.  He continues to develop future generations of dancers and artists through his classes.

Jazz

Using his background as an actor Mr. Harding blends dance and drama into an exciting contemporary jazz style that is both entertaining and instructional.  His class consists of a set thirty-five minute center barre, a series of across the floor progressions focusing on turning technique, and finally a class combination exploring jazz language.

Solid dance background is recommended before attempting this challenging class.

"I just wanted to say THANK GOD FOR YOUR DANCE STUDIO! I have been looking for a dance studio with a great atmosphere (with love) and professional dance training for some time now...and I found it!  NDG!  I took my first classes yesterday...Jazz with Stephen Harding and it was fantastic!  He was just amazing and more!  I had a great time!  I adore fast teaching technical teachers...!  I can't wait to come back!

~ Neil Fernando