Lori Buffalow

Owner & Director

Lori Buffalow Owner and director, of the Next Step Dance Studio. She has been teaching and dancing professionally for the past 30 years. While a member of the American Dance Company and the United Spirit Association, she performed in concerts featuring Huey Lewis & The News, The Beach Boys, and Gloria Estefan. She was a member of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush. Lori earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary's College and has been a popular dance instructor for children and teens in the Danville area for many years.

Since taking over The Next Step, her performing dance teams have won top awards while earning several dance scholarships. The teams have performed at Disneyland, on Cruise lines and performed on a three European Dance Tours plus numerous local charitable events helping to raise money for worthwhile causes in the surrounding community. Several of the Next Step's students have advanced to college dance teams, pro sports teams, and have made careers in dance production. The goal of The Next Step is to provide a positive, nurturing experience for students, in varying styles of dance on all levels & for all ages. A talented and professional staff has been assembled in order to achieve that goal at The Next Step Dance Studio!

Rave Reviews From Satisfied Participants

My family has been dancing with The Next Step Dance Studio for the past 15 years. My three daughters were on team for 12 years at the Next Step. It was an amazing experience not only for our daughters but for our entire family. As a family we traveled to Europe, Disneyland, to Mexico on cruises, and spent numerous weekends at Dance Conventions.
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Next Step wasn't just dance classes for our family, it was a huge part of our lives. To this day our closest friends are the families and teachers we have made through The Next Step. Next Step has truly become family to us. Next Step enriched my daughters lives in ways that I couldn't even imagine it would when they began as children. As grown adults, my daughters learned commitment, dedication, friendship, work ethic, confidence, an appreciaton of fine arts and so much more from their family at Next Step.
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My youngest daughter grauating from High School and Next Step is bitter sweet. My husband and I are so proud of all her accomplishments both in dance and high school but we are sad to leave the family we have grown to love at The Next Step. As we close this chapter in our lives, I am truly looking forward to all our new adventures with all our Next Step friends.
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—Leslie Moshy, Alamo CA

I highly recommend The Next Step Dance Studio. My daughter has taken dance at The Next Step for the past 7 years. The teachers are not only highly trained but relate well to children. Dancing at The Next Step has given my daughter confidence that has made her comfortable in performing in front of audiences. She has built strong friendships. As a member of several of the competitive teams, she has been exposed to many styles of dance: ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop. Every year, she looks forward to dancing at Disneyland. The experiences and lessons she is gaining at The Next Step, I believe will last a lifetime.
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—Kristi J - Danville, CA

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When my daughters started dancing at The Next Step Dance Studio over 10 years ago I never realized what an impact it would have on our lives. My daughters quickly fell in love with dance and all that it has to offer. The studio became their second home. The Next Step Dance Studio exposed them to different styles of dance, different styles of teaching and working as a team. They learned what a commitment is, how to work hard, and to enjoy themselves. Through the support of NSDS, our youngest daughter will continue her dance training at the London Contemporary School of Dance. On a personal level, dance families have become an important part of our lives. From weekly classes, carpools, conventions, ballet teas, Disneyland and Europe we have made friends for life!

—Allison Gash, Danville CA

My son has been dancing at The Next Step Dance Studio for 5 years, on their performing teams for the last three. He has grown both as a dancer and a young man learning life skills such as time management, goal setting, and responsibility. He has formed wonderful friendships, and developed a strong love for dance thanks to his team directors and class instructors. I highly recommend The Next Step Dance Studio to all dancers of any interest or ability!
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—Cheryl Johnson, Danville, CA

My 2 daughters have danced at The Next Step over the past nine years. It has been an amazing experience for them and for our family. Wonderful friendships have developed, confidence in the girls, great experiences with local and international travel, and training in their passion of dance by talented professionals. Being part of NSDS has also taught them lifelong skills of time management between school, family and other obligations.
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—Michele Stedman, Danville, CA

My daughter started dancing at The Next Step Dance Studio almost 10 years ago. During her time at the Studio I have seen her grow from a little girl having fun with the other girls, learning a few steps and dressing up in colorful costumes to a graceful young lady performing with a group of life-long friends.

She has learned much more than dancing. She experienced how an effective team helps and supports each other. She has grown into a responsible adult who cares about her community and whose passion for dance helped earn money for charities in our local area. She watched her teachers and mentors lead by example with a discipline and rigor required to improve. She blossomed physically and emotionally as a result of the classes, competitions, and friendships that she developed at The Next Step Dance Studio. This was a great life experience for her and for us as parents.​

—Bill Lipsin, Danville CA

My daughter started dancing with The Next Step in 2nd grade and has been a member of the performing teams for the past 9 years. I highly recommend The Next Step Dance Studio whee dancers are encouraged and supported do not only strive to do their best, but to let their passion for dance grow and help develop them into successful young adults. It has been a please to watch my daughter grow technically while learning many styles of dance and at the same time, it was a joy to see her belong to such a special family of life-long friends.

In addition to confidence and poise, dancing at Next Step builds the experience - learning how to balance school and other activities has been a valuable life lesson. The opportunities earned, such as being a student teacher, and the technical skills she gained while dancing and performing with The Next Step have enabled her to audition and be selected for the competitive Purdue University Dance Team. As a parent, I am so proud of her accomplishments and so very thankful to The Next Step for all they have taught my daughter in dance and in life!​
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—Ann Neale, Danville CA