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 5 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 Ninjas, Warriors, and Legacy instructor. He also gives private guitar lessons and participates in the adult dance classes at Mustard Seed.
Nate holds a second degree Black Belt in Karate 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 a member of the Foggy Meadow Band and the Ebert Brothers Band.
When Nate isn’t at Mustard Seed or playing his guitar on a stage somewhere, he can be found assisting customers at Ace Hardware.
MEET BELLA
Bella is a graduate of West Virginia Northern Community College where she studied medical billing and coding. She is currently employed at WCH.
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 class “Rising Stars.”
Her goal for the class 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 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.
STUDENT ASSISTANTS
MEET ADDY
Addyson is an 8th grade student at Tyler Consolidated Middle School. She is a member of the varsity volleyball team, National Junior Honor Society, and the Principal’s Student Council.
Outside of school, Addy enjoys dance, 4-H, gymnastics, and Geocaching with friends.
Addy will be assisting with the Saturday morning Tiny Tappers class.
MEET ALICEA
Alicea is a 15-year-old sophomore at Tyler Consolidated High School and is in 3rd year with Mustard Seed. She enjoys dancing jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, and pointe, with modern contemporary being her absolute favorite – if only Miss Jourdan would all the class!!
Outside of dance, Alicea is a member of FFA, the Yearbook Club and Travel Club and volunteering for concessions. She loves baking and has turned her passion for pies into her own fundraising business, Flying Pie.
After high school, Alicea plans to turn Flying Pie into a business, continue teaching at Mustard Seed, and study cosmetology and manicuring. She loves being creating, helping others, and finding new ways to turn things she enjoys into something meaningful.
Alicea assists with Thursday evening Pre-Dance and Beginner Ballet classes.
We can’t wait to see where her dancing, creativity, and big dreams take her!
Cecile (Cece) is an 8th grade homeschooled student. She enjoys crafts, ballet, banjo, baking, crafts, guinea pigs, performing with Foggy Meadow Band, and time with her friends.
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 assists with the Monday night Beginner Ballet class.
MEET CECILE
MEET EMERY
Emery is a 3rd grade student at New Martinsville School. She has been a dancer for a total of six years, three of those at Mustard Seed.
When she isn’t dancing, she is at the cheer gym, playing softball, or playing basketball. She also enjoys arts and crafts, riding her bike, swimming, and being with her friends.
Emery is assisting with the Monday evening Pre Dance class.
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 currently works in the office at Ace Hardware.
Karisa is a very proud aunt of 3 nephews and 3 nieces.
Karisa will be assisting with Monday dance classes and taking Adult Ballet and Tap classes.
Miriam (MiMi) is a 9th grade homeschooled student. She enjoys riding dirt bike, mountain biking, playing guitar, performing with Foggy Meadow Band, and time with her 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 assists with the Beginner Tap class on Mondays.
MEET MIRIAM
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!