One taking steps to provide first part of down clue's requirement, we hear (6)
I believe the answer is:
dancer
'one taking steps' is the definition.
(someone who dances steps)
'first part of down clue's requirement we hear' is the wordplay.
'first part of' indicates taking the first letters.
'clue's requirement' becomes 'answer' (a crossword clue must have an answer).
'we hear' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
The first letter of 'down' is 'd'.
'answer' sounds like 'ancer'.
'd'+'ancer'='DANCER'
'to provide' is the link.
(Other definitions for dancer that I've seen before include "Fred Astaire, say" , "Ballerina cared desperately about Nureyev's lead" , "Ballerina or chorus girl?" , "Ballet performer" , "Entertainer" .)