The Budland Instructors
Dance Instructors committed to helping you develop the best version of YOU!
Dave Maxx - DMX Dance Company
Dave Maxx is a nationally recognized dance educator, cultural ambassador, and master of the smooth swing style known as Chicago Steppin’. With over 30 years of experience, two national competition titles, and a legacy of building authentic dance communities across the U.S., Dave has become a transformative force in modern Steppin’ culture.
Born in Chicago and trained under percussionist Calvin Barnes, Dave’s style blends soulful musicality with structured instruction. He is one of the only instructors from Chicago to create, certify, and scale Steppin’ programs and communities nationwide, influencing dancers not just through movement — but through mindset, rhythm, and community.
Now based in Raleigh, NC, Dave leads DMX Dance Company, a brand built around emotional transformation through dance. His signature programs — The Budland Network, The Rhythm Section, X-Factor Series, and Dance Doctor Workshop Weekends — train both students and instructors to find clarity, confidence, and connection through music, movement, and mentorship.
To Dave, Steppin’ is not just a dance — it’s a cultural inheritance and a form of personal power. His mission is to preserve its roots, evolve its reach, and teach others to lead with purpose, not just pattern.
Michael Allen - Black Artist Ensemble Dance
Michael “Mike” Allen is a passionate cultural ambassador, dance instructor, and the founder of the Black Artist Ensemble Dance Company (B.A.E.) in Chicago. His journey into Chicago Steppin’ began with a simple but unforgettable moment—watching a couple glide effortlessly across the floor at a wedding to a song he loved. That visual sparked a lifelong pursuit of mastery in a dance style that Mike now uses to inspire transformation, connection, and cultural pride.
For Mike, Chicago Steppin’ is more than movement—it’s about honoring Black cultural legacies, fostering emotional wellness, and encouraging self-expression. He believes partner dance builds relationships that extend far beyond the dance floor, reminding us that listening, grace, and trust are essential skills in life.
Mike believes Chicago Steppin’ is a cultural gift. “It’s the preservation of our artistry and the celebration of those who paved the way for us,” he says. “Dance has the power to heal, connect, and transform lives—and I’m here to share that power with every student who walks through my door.”
Henry Williams - Stepping 101
Since 2013, Henry has been not just a student of the dance, but a steward of its growth and evolution.
Henry’s approach is personal and empowering. New dancers are reminded they don’t have to compare themselves to others. In his words: “Be yourself—without pressure to perform at another student’s level.” Music plays a central role in his teaching philosophy. It’s the emotional centerpiece, the “adornment that everyone wants to take home at the end of the night.”
Joining the Budland Network and DMX Dance Company changed everything. Henry says it “streamlined” his process and gave him tools to create consistent, transformational results. His students are fascinated by how much easier the learning feels—and how confident they’ve become as a result.
For Henry, Chicago Steppin’ is more than just a dance—it’s a reflection of self. It’s therapy. It’s liberation. It’s a mirror of mood, music, and meaning. And teaching it gives him the chance to build ambassadors of culture, community, and personal growth.
Lucy Lu Jones - Steppin' Up Tri-State Steppers
Lucy’s journey began with a single event in Philadelphia in 2016. The music spoke first, but it was the fluidity of the dance — the effortless way the body could tell a story — that sealed her fate. Since that day, Lucy has devoted herself to mastering this art form, determined not just to dance, but to understand it, preserve it, and most importantly — teach it the right way.
Through the Budland Network and DMX Dance Company, Lucy discovered a teaching philosophy that she could buy into: music-first, mistake-friendly, and freedom-driven. She now helps her students break free from the limits of count-based methods, guiding them instead to feel, hear, and flow with the music. “You don’t need to count,” she says. “You just need to connect.”
Lucia believes in giving her students more than steps — she gives them confidence. She gives them truth. And she gives them a direct connection to the rich, cultural heartbeat of African-American partner dance. The transformation she sees in her students — from unsure beginners to respected dancers recognized at events — is proof that the DMX approach works.
Lamont Coy - Lumiere Steppers
Over nearly two decades of dancing, Lamont has built much more than technique—he’s built a life. From transformative feedback given by four women early in his journey, to meeting the woman who would become his wife, Steppin’ has been a conduit for personal evolution. It’s also opened doors beyond the studio—business opportunities, friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Teaching with Intention, Lamont’s classes are known for their supportive, welcoming, and human approach. He makes space for students to ask questions without judgment, welcomes their nervousness, and gently guides them through the process of discovery. His class values are clear: learn at your own pace, feel supported, enjoy great music, and discover your personal style.
Since joining the Budland Network and partnering with DMX Dance Company, Lamont’s efforts have gained even more clarity and power. “It’s broadened my perspective on how to make real, sustainable impact,” he says. “And the best part is knowing I’m not alone.”
Lamont’s “Why” is rooted in love for his people and a clear vision for what dance can do: create healthy relationships, offer safe spaces for connection, and renew faith in the future of our communities.
Wesley Wiggins - Heart & Soul Steppers
Wesley Wiggins is a passionate dance instructor and community builder who brings heart, heritage, and humility to the world of Chicago Steppin’. With over seven years of experience, Wesley’s journey into dance began with the music — the soulful R&B and timeless grooves he grew up with in his family. Having tried other partner dances like Salsa and Swing, it wasn’t until he discovered Steppin’ that he truly felt at home. That connection to familiar sound and cultural rhythm inspired a love for the dance that would soon grow into a deeper purpose.Wesley’s teaching is rooted in music, community, and respect. For him, music is not just a backdrop—it’s the pulse of the dance.
More than just steps, Wesley wants his students to leave his classes with confidence and kindness—qualities he believes will serve them far beyond the dance floor. His “why” is clear: to help his community grow stronger through connection. Wesley believes that Chicago Steppin’ is a powerful platform for Black joy, belonging, and cultural expression. It’s about creating moments of peace, love, and rhythm that last long after the music ends.
As a member of the Budland Network , Wesley continues to sharpen his skills while contributing to a larger vision: using dance as a tool for healing, fellowship, and transformation. Through daily practice and thoughtful instruction, he shows up not just as a teacher—but as a builder of bridges, a bringer of smiles, and a leader who believes in the future of his people.
Cortnae Gullatt - Black Artist Ensemble Dance
Courtnae Gullat embodies the transformational power of the DMX Dance Company experience. Since joining as a student in 2014, she has grown from an eager learner into one of the company’s most trusted and skilled instructors. Her journey from student to Assistant Instructor in 2021, reflects not only her dedication to mastering this dance, but her deep commitment to the cultural values and teaching philosophy that define DMX Dance Company.
What sets Courtnae apart is her genuine belief in dance as a catalyst for human connection. She has experienced firsthand how Chicago Steppin’ builds confidence, creates lasting friendships, and opens doors to meaningful relationships. This personal transformation fuels her passion for teaching others, and her students consistently benefit from her warm, encouraging approach and her ability to help them discover their own rhythm and voice on the dance floor.
As both a DMX Dance Company Asst. Instructor and an instructor with the Black Artist Ensemble Dance Company, Courtney brings a unique blend of technical expertise and emotional intelligence to every class. Her success story—from student to instructor—serves as living proof that the DMX methodology doesn’t just teach dance steps; it develops leaders, builds community, and transforms lives through the power of music, movement, and authentic connection.
Reserved - For the newest Member of Budland..
You’ve already done the hard part—stepping up to teach without a safety net. Now it’s time to evolve.
The Budland Network gives you permission to stop hustling alone and start leading with excellence.
Your students deserve your best. You deserve support that brings out your best.
There’s no need to fake it till you make it.
Join Budland and become part of a movement built to nurture your talent, grow your business, and restore your passion for teaching. This is your path to becoming the leader your community needs.