<i>It's kind of like a dance, except that instead of dancing to music, you’re making the music at the same time.</i>

—Joseph Griffin, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, University of California at Berkeley

Stepping is rhythmic movement that uses the hands and feet as an instrument. Known best among African-American fraternities and sororities, stepping draws on a long African tradition of using the body to make music. Synchronized movement and chants are coordinated by the leader, or step master. Sometimes improvising, always cultivating their own distinctive moves and rhythms, step teams reflect and reaffirm both the unity and the unique style of their group.