Who are we?
INSTRUCTORS
Meet Jourdan
Jourdan is co-owner of Mustard Seed Arts Academy, and oversees and teaches dance and stretch classes. She is a 2023 graduate of the Oglebay Institute School of Dance in Wheeling.
Since middle school, she has dreamed of opening a dance school where, regardless of age or ability, individuals can participate in classes to stay in shape physically, relax and strengthen their bodies, and have fun.
She has been dancing since she was 6 years old starting out at the Academy of Dance and Theatre Arts in New Martinsville. She has also participated in the West Virginia Dance Festival in Charleston WV.
Jourdan has been teaching or assisting in dance classes since 2015. She has been involved with theatre productions produced by The Griffin Players, ADTA, The Wayward Players, ArtsLink, and MOVB (Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet).
Meet Nathan
Nate is our Lil Ninja and Warriors instructor. He also gives private guitar lessons.
Nate holds a Black Belt in Karate and is training for his 2nd Degree Belt with the United Fighting Arts Federation.
He has been playing guitar since he was big enough to pick one up and has been a Youth Guitar Flatpicking winner at the West Virginia Vandalia Festival. He is also a member of both the Foggy Meadow Band and the Ebert Brothers Band.
MEET BELLA
Bella is a recent graduate of West Virginia Northern Community College where she studied medical billing and coding. She is currently employed at WCH and on Monday evenings enjoys taking the Adult Tap Class.
She loves to listen to music and enjoys watching musicals as well. A native of Wetzel County, she was in school productions and was the female lead in the school play her senior year.
Bella will be leading our theater classes, “Center Stage Kids”, and “Rising Stars.”
Her goal for the classes is to further children’s education about theater and give them the opportunity to express themselves through various stage characters. She wants all students to have fun and enjoy this opportunity that she didn’t have kid.
Meet MARAH
Miss Marah is excited to be teaching our Mommy and Me class, “Movin’ & Groovin”!
Marah is a local pediatric physical therapist with 11 years of experience. She is married and has three children.
Marah believes in early intervention and learning through play.
This class will be a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn developmental play skills with their children.
Meet brittany
Brittany is a dedicated music educator currently offering piano, voice, and flute lessons. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Marshall University, Brittany brings both strong performance skills and effective teaching techniques to every lesson.
Before focusing on private music instruction, Brittany taught general music education (grades 2-8) and middle school choir (grades 7-8) at New Martinsville School, where she fostered a supportive and engaging learning environment for young musicians.
Passionate about nurturing artistic growth, Brittany helps students of all ages develop confidence, technical skill, and a lifelong love of music.
MEET KARISA
Karisa is a 2021 graduate of Magnolia High School where she was a 4 year Softball Letterman.
She was also a Business Completer, an FFA Completer, and participated in the Ham and Bacon show.
She is currently employed at Ace Hardware as a cashier, retail associate, and in the paint department.
Karisa is a very proud aunt of 3 nephews and 3 nieces.
Karisa will be assisting with Monday dance classes and leading Krafty Kids.
STUDENT ASSISTANTS
MEET ADDY
Addyson is a 7th grade student at Tyler Consolidated Middle School where she is on the Honor Roll and a member of the ChangeMakers Club.
When she’s not at the dance studio, she spends her time at the cheer gym, competing on two All-Star cheer teams at Cheernastics.
Addyson is also part of the Silver Bebees 4-H Club and the Wetzel County 4-H Teen Leaders.
Addy will be assisting with the Saturday morning Tiny Tappers class.
MEET ALICEA
Alicea is 14 years old and is a freshman at Tyler Consolidated.
She took ballet for 3 years starting in 2015 where Miss Jourdan was the student helper. She took a break from ballet to explore other sports but decided to return to ballet last year. She found out Jourdan was now teaching ballet and couldn’t be happier with her choice.
She intends on becoming a Manicurist after her sophomore year and after high school become a cosmetologist. She also plans on teaching dance.
Alicea will be assisting with the Thursday night Pre Dance and Beginner Ballet classes.
MEET CECILE
Cecile (Cece) is a 7th grade homeschooled student. She enjoys crafts, ballet, friends, baking, and music.
Since a toddler she has enjoyed spending time at Miracle Mountain Ranch where she has learned horsemanship and the thrill of vaulting (gymnastics on a horse). Cecile hopes to volunteer and eventually work at the Ranch during her summers when she is older.
Cecile will be assisting with the Monday night Beginner Ballet class.
MEET MIRIAM
Miriam (MiMi) is homeschooled and currently in her 8th grade year. She enjoys riding her dirt bike, playing octoball, pickleball, guitar, and enjoys time with friends!
Miriam plans to volunteer as an assistant counselor with hopes of becoming a counselor for her summers at Miracle Moutnain Ranch during her high school years.
Miraim will be assisting in the Beginner Tap class on Mondays.
STAFF
Meet Donna
You’ll see Donna behind the scenes working Customer Service, scheduling events, and making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Donna is a small business coach for the West Virginia Small Business Development Center and is co-owner of Mustard Seed Arts Academy.
She is married to Dave, and the mom of Jourdan and Nathan.
Meet Dave
Dave is the studio photographer and videographer. If you see him with a camera or a phone snapping photos, don’t be surprised!
He is a co-owner of Mustard Seed Arts Academy and the tech guy for many of our shows and performances.
He is married to Donna and dad to Jourdan and Nathan.
Meet Bill and Shelia
Although both retired, they have jumped in headfirst to help with this crazy idea that we birthed the beginning of 2023 to buy a building and start a business.
From painting to cleaning, general maintance to decorating, there isn’t much they haven’t done.
If you see them around the building, say hi, but if you decide to chat for too long, they will probably hand you a paint brush, hammer or a pair of gloves and give you a task to complete!