Jessica Saul | Dance Mogul Exclusive

Jessica “aka Remo” Saul is a Latina entrepreneur who founded the Art of Stepping® and the World of Step. Before her startup career, Remo was a creative services consultant with Latina Media Ventures. Remo attended Herbert H. Lehman High School in the Bronx and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from SUNY Albany.

Remo is a renowned choreographer well-known for the Stepping genre of dance and
the Remo System©. The FIRST ever written language & curriculum applied to dance through animation, digital content & mathematical formulas.

Her work on the Remo System© earned her Presidential Awards under President Barack Obama in Fitness, Nutrition & Sports, and Hispanic Educational Excellence. The Remo System© has been licensed to those in the education, sports, and fitness industries as well as implemented by Remo herself in STEAM afterschool programs across the U.S. and overseas.

Remo’s work and brand(s) have been broadcast by notable networks including, but not limited to, Fox News Latino, MTV True Life: I’m a Stepper, Univision-Accesso Total, Despierta America, Latina Magazine, and Famous Footwear.

Dance Mogul: How did your dance journey begin?

Jessica: It was part of my family’s history and culture. We dance at parties, in celebrations, and even in sadness. It was our way of speaking. As a young girl, I knew I wanted to express myself, but I was not the right size. I was larger than many. But when I got older and met STEP. She accepted me for who I was. The power in her, strength in her, precision, and vocals led me to be who I am. It is why I called Remolina.

Dance Mogul: What was it about stepping and education that captivated you?

Jessica: Stepping has taught me how to tell my story when others don’t see me. It taught me that I can be seen and heard but that I was an educator as well. It was because of how I interpreted step, that is how I became stronger in math and science. Our program is built on Leonardo DaVincis The Vitruvian Man, which documents the person’s body. I used this symbol to document steps and apply basic algebra to create equations.

Dance Mogul: Tell us about the Remo System and why it’s important in the field of dance today.

Jessica: Remo System is the 1^st and only written language to step. What Cecchit is to Ballet, I am to step. Imagine you can read and write your choreography while understanding your body through the language you were taught as a child. I use the letters of the alphabet and basic algebra to create formulas to help create original choreography. It is important that steppers have a core fundamentals of step. To create original choreographers so that they too, can continue to create and grow. The dance world knows terminology but imagine dissecting terminology; that is what we have done, and that is what continues to build. It is how we expanded across the world.

Dance Mogul: What have been some of your favorite moments stepping has brought you?

Jessica:

My 1^st was being able to Step Full Time. The moment I have up my traditional career, that was awesome. I made my passion a career.
When I trademarked the Art of Stepping, it meant I was cemented in history, and I could protect her.
When I was featured on MTV’s True Life: I’m a Stepper – It highlighted my passion for step.
When I opened my 1^st dance studio, first step, I could not believe it.
Lastly, looking at the faces and lives I have changed. That is when I know the impact I am playing.

Dance Mogul: How did you balance your academics with your step training?

Jessica: It was a juggling act. There is no way that you will ever give 100 percent to anything. It’s hard, but each day you try to find a balance.

Dance Mogul: What advice do you have for the upcoming generation of steppers?

Jessica: Study your history, celebrate the styles of step and know that you are part of the World of Step. We are inclusive to all. Trust that you belong if you have a body to create sound.

Dance Mogul: Tell us about your current projects.

Jessica: So much to celebrate. Currently, we are in the midst of our regional qualifiers for World of Step, which will be headed to Africa on the last week of April. We have completed our 1^st ever World of Step Intensive, which was held in 3 states (Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles) with choreographer Joe Brown, Merrit Blanks Jr, Gabe Ronin, Keith Andre, Edward Nelson, Vernon Jackson, Chuck Maldonado, etc. It was an amazing experience, and we are just getting started. Now we are planning our final event while kicking off World of Step Convention Month.

Recently I was named the Executive Producer of the Upstaged Step Show being held at the Apollo the weekend of April 22. It is a historical event and an honor as a female Latina, Educator, and advocate for Step for over 20 years.

Dance Mogul: What you like your legacy to be in step?

Jessica: I want the world to remember that I was a small part of the bigger picture. I worked on creating a space where everyone who loves step can be seen. Where step is not an unknown but a common household name, that step can be seen as mainstream. Respected as a core fundamental of dance and is understood/studied by dance majors around the world. I want my legacy to be where young girls and boys, especially of color, see their future does exist in Step through Sports and higher education.

Dance Mogul: As an educator, why is movement education more important than ever?

Jessica: I believe that knowledge is power. Because of education, you can learn and grow to become who you are meant to be. The Remo System was created to provide an educational platform of step by combining basic algebra and grammar. Now implemented in schools with proven data, you can see how fast our students have grown.

Dance Mogul: Is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you own your journey?

Jessica: I want to thank Celebrity CHoreographer Chuck Maldonado. My dear friend has been a driving force in the industry through his work in STOMP THE YARD but has also allowed me to continue to expand my brand of World of Step because of his belief in me and my purpose. Through him, he has opened a world of industry choreographers that I can connect with the younger generation of STEP. Lastly, my husband has been the financial guide in letting me live my truth while helping me raise our child.

On April 22^nd, the best high school and college step teams in the country descend upon the historic Apollo Theater to compete like athletes and showcase their talents for the title of National Step Champion. Produced by the National Collegiate Performing Arts (NCPA)™ and the National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™, the victors will win a share of $13,000 cash, All-American status, and the recognition and respect of their peers.

The road to Harlem’s world-famous Apollo began for the colleges last Fall, with the review of submitted videos judged based on precision, synchronization, creativity, and overall performance. The top eight NCPA teams competing for $10,000 cash include Cornell, Delaware State, Howard, Lincoln, Mercy, Syracuse, and a men’s and women’s team from Tufts. The Tufts men’s team – BlackOut – is the reigning champion, back to defend their title.

The NHSPA championships are co-produced by World of Step (WOS) and will feature the nation’s best high schools facing off in the semifinals and competing for $3,000 in cash prizes. Selected by online voting and an eight-team “March-Madness” style bracket competition which saw over 38,000 votes cast in mid-March, the four high school semifinalists are Brentwood (Long Island), Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx), New Rochelle, and Nottingham (Nottingham, NJ).

“These talented high school steppers have an unbelievable opportunity to compete for a National Championship at the Nation’s most storied historically black theater in the most world-renowned black cultural Mecca, Harlem,” said WOS Founder and CEO Jessica “Remo” Saul. “This is the Superbowl of Step, being played out in the Madison Square Garden of Performing Arts Venues.”

With over 150 steppers passionately competing, the championships at The Apollo will be packed with intensity and stepping action.

“Winning a 2023 Step National Championship, and forever being NCPA and NHSPA Step All-Americans, will be a great accomplishment for any team, as it showcases their skills, creativity, and teamwork on a national stage,” said Victoria Duruh, UpStaged Entertainment Group’s Chief Talent Officer. “The competition will be an empowering experience for all teams involved, regardless of the outcome. We wish each team the best of luck!”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Apollo. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and at The Apollo box office.

About UpStaged Entertainment Group

UpStaged Entertainment Group is an NYC-based diversified performing arts platform empowering the nation’s student performers to compete for national championships, like student-athletes, across 25 genres (e.g., step, comedy, a cappella) in premier venues and virtual platforms. Operating under National Collegiate Performing Arts (NCPA)™ and National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™ brands, UpStaged brings cohesiveness to historically siloed performing arts communities. To learn more about UpStaged, visit https://www.upstagedu.com/
About National Collegiate Performing Arts (NCPA)™
The NCPA organizes the nation’s dynamic student performers and their universities – like President Roosevelt’s goal in forming the NCAA in 1906 – to 1) Implement a comprehensive competition structure across performing arts genres, 2) elevate collegiate performing arts to a national stage, providing recognition similar to college athletes 3) financially support historically underfunded college performing arts.
About National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™

The NHSPA organizes the nation’s dynamic student performers and their high schools – like President Roosevelt’s goal in forming the NCAA in 1906 – to 1) Implement a comprehensive competition structure across performing arts genres, 2) elevate collegiate performing arts to a national stage providing recognition similar to college athletes 3) financially support historically underfunded high school performing arts.

About World of Step (WOS)
WOS is the Nation’s preeminent youth step producer, platform, and educator. Its competitions, classes, and platform empower thousands of steppers worldwide. WOS founder, renowned Step Choreographer and Educator Jessica “aka Remo” Saul, has been featured on MTV, ABC’s Good Morning America, and Telemundo’s Univision, among others. WOS recently expanded internationally to South America and Africa.