Our PureJoy! Staff

Marsha McEwan

Marsha McEwan

Owner/Director

For the last 20 years, Miss Marsha has considered it pure joy to be surrounded by children and immersed with them in the wonderful world of the performing arts. Whether it be whirling twirling with the wee ones in their very first dance classes or directing fully staged versions of such plays as “Annie” “Little Mermaid, Miss Marsha’s joy is complete in the world of children. A former actress, with a B.A in Theatre/Drama from Indiana University, Miss Marsha stumbled upon discovered a love for teaching while living in Moscow, Russia and helping fill a void in a private school’s theatre program there. Her own daughter began preschool dance classes in Moscow as well, and Miss Marsha spent hours watching how one particular Russian woman taught preschool dance, flitting about like a happy little bird, enchanting the children with her lively energy and delightful spirit. And so it was, 5000 miles away and 20 years ago that the essence of PureJoy! Performing Arts was planted in Miss Marsha’a heart. Today, she has taught hundred’s of preschoolers and elementary age children saying, “With every single class I discover anew, the magic of the performing arts through the natural talent and innate creativity of our students.

The proof is in what happy parents such as these have to say, “I cannot believe all that you were able to pull out of our girls at your dance camp in just one week. They all want to come back for classes in the Fall…! My daughter had a blast this school year and can’t wait to get back to class! Thank you for your amazing talent, endless patience and inspiring charm energy.”

DonJ

DonJ

Instructor

Don Balladin, aka “DonJ”, has been making his mark as a Performer/Choreographer for many years in the New York Hip-Hop underground scene as well as commercial scenes. He has trained with well known NYC dancers and choreographers such as the Amount Boyz, Rhapsody James and Laurianne Gibson at Broadway Dance Center. DonJ has been featured in numerous television shows such as MTV Wannabes with B2K, FUSE TV MTV Awards with P Diddy BET awards, DJ Khaled106 and Park with Ciara. He was also the main choreographer for the Pantene Pro-V Tour which includes artists such as Lyfe Jennings, Salt n Pepper, Missy Elliot and America’s Next Top Model, Eva Pigford.  DonJ was also a singer in the R&B/POP group K.I.N.G.S. where he played a major part as the group’s main choreographer and clothing designer. 

DonJ wanted to take his talents to the next level and started his own custom clothing line.

“Swagstar Nation” is an art-inspired brand created with the intention of bringing about a new sense of self-confidence and spiritual empowerment through his designs. It is his dedication for dance, music and fashion that make DonJ the teacher that he is and PureJoy! Performing Arts is so blessed to welcome him to our dance family.

Jemma

Jemma

Instructor

Jemma has been dancing for 13 years at Westchester Dance Academy and The Pulse Performing Arts.
 
Jemma takes her training and teaching seriously. She comes prepared to class with choreography and music that her students love and has a passion to see them learn new leaps & turns and become more proficient in their jazz and ballet technique.  Jemma has been on award winning competition teams as well as a dance convention performer. She is currently  the Co-Captain of the Fox Lane Dance Team. 
 
Our studio is lucky to have the fun and delightful spirit that Jemma brings to the dance floor every week!
Victoria

Victoria

Instructor

Victoria is a proud alumni of PureJoy Performing Arts!  She began dancing with Miss Marsha at 4 years old and her love of dance grew every year with the various teachers she had while  taking class at PJ!PA. Victoria now dances competitively.  and continues totrain in many forms of dance, including tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip hop.  Victoria is grateful to be able to share her love of dance with her classes! Her students love her youthful spirit, music selections and fun choreography!
Jahad Shawe

Jahad Shawe

Instructor

Jahad has been teaching with us since 2013 – how blessed we are to have him in our midst! He keeps coming back to teach our students because our parents keep sending us emails like these about him…!

“[My son] has communicated that he can’t wait to connect with Jahad again. He truly enjoys his time with Jahad and his response to me regarding potential changes in the class makeup was, “I don’t care mom as long as I’m still with Jahad. We think Jahad is a great asset to your team and hope he never moves on or is recruited by another studio!“

“We are new to the program and as a teacher myself, Jahad made [my son] and the other boys feel important, appreciated and joyful. Which to me, at my son’s age, far exceeds technicality at this point in the game. I enjoyed watching Jahad’s approach and appreciated his teaching style.“

“Jahad is a wonderful role model for the boys and an unbelievable dancer. The boys were amazing this year and they loved going to class every week.”

Jahad is known in our studio for his amazing spirit, attitude and energy that he brings to every class he teaches. He gives 100% to his students and leaves no child behind. The boys and girls that take his classes love him and come running into the studio each week to find him and get their class started! Our parents look forward to catching glimpses of Jahad himself dancing. He is truly an amazing dancer, exhibiting unbelievable natural talent and a heart like no other!