ILOILO City — What started as a small dance studio with only 20 students has grown into a movement that has touched thousands of young lives across Iloilo.
This year, Dance STEP (School of Teray Ecube Portugalete-Nolledo) celebrates its 18th anniversary with recital performances held at Robinsons Place Iloilo on May 24 and SM City Iloilo on June 4, featuring more than 200 recitalists. The celebration also continues through its annual “Show for a Cause” outreach performances in municipalities across Iloilo’s 1st District.
For founder Dr. Teresita “Teray” Ecube Portugalete-Nolledo, Assistant Professor VI at the University of the Philippines Visayas, the milestone is not measured by trophies, awards, or the expansion of the studio’s branches.
“When I look back on the past 18 years, I believe our greatest achievement is simply that Dance STEP is still here—strong, thriving, and continuing to make a difference in the lives of young people,” she said.
From its humble beginnings as Oton Dance Studio and Aerobic Center, Dance STEP expanded to communities in San Joaquin, Miagao, Tubungan, Iloilo City, Igbaras, Guimbal, and Tigbauan, making dance education more accessible to aspiring performers across the province.
Yet for Portugalete-Nolledo, the studio’s greatest success lies in the transformation of its students.
“Seeing students who once walked into our studio as shy young children grow into confident, disciplined, responsible, and successful individuals is the most rewarding milestone of all,” she said.
Beyond dance techniques and performances, the studio emphasizes values such as discipline, confidence, teamwork, respect, and perseverance. It also regularly conducts outreach programs and charity performances, teaching students that their talents can be used to serve others.
A key factor behind the organization’s longevity, Portugalete-Nolledo believes, is its family-centered culture.
“At Dance STEP, we do not simply teach dance—we build relationships,” she said. “Dance may be what brings them through our doors, but it is the sense of belonging that makes them stay.”
Many alumni remain connected to the organization years after graduating, often returning to support younger dancers and maintain friendships formed through the studio.
Looking ahead, Portugalete-Nolledo dreams of establishing a large performing arts school in Iloilo that would offer programs in dance, music, visual arts, performing arts, and sports, while also providing scholarships and free fitness classes for underserved communities.
“More than building a facility, I want to build a community,” she said. “The true purpose is to inspire lives, nurture confidence, promote health and wellness, and create opportunities for people to grow through the arts.”
Portugalete-Nolledo, meanwhile, proudly announced that this year’s programs expanded to include hip-hop, ballet, and contemporary dance, alongside voice, speech, modeling, personality development, and swimming.
Eighteen years after opening its doors, Dance STEP continues to prove that dance is more than movement—it is a platform for personal growth, community-building, and lasting impact./PN
