Meet
the Instructors!
Updated March 7, 2010
Joy Murphy
Professional Dance & Fitness Instructor with 31 years experience. Proprietor of Dance With Joy Enterprises, Inc. Arkansas Regional Director of National Dance Week. www.nationaldanceweek.org
Board Member of Arkansas River Valley Arts Center.
Joy moved to Arkansas in 1972 and begin dancing under the direction of Ann Taylor, a professional dancer originating from England. She became an assistant teacher at the age of 16 then opened up her own studios at the age of 18. Joy became an adjunct instructor for Arkansas Tech University in 1978 teaching various styles of dance and fitness classes in Continuing Education under Dr. Don Johnson. As a former pageant circuit Queen she continues being active in the scene with instruction in etiquette, modeling and choreography for competition entrants. She serves as a judge and MC for talent and pageant competitions. Joy appeared in many tapings of the show Club Dance at the White Horse Saloon showcasing Country style dancing airing on the Nashville network TNN. She continues to travel abroad continuing her education in all genres of dance with Tremaine, DMA & DEA. Joy currently instructs; Fitness classes including Pilates, Callanetics, Ballet Barre Workout, & Zumba. Social classes including Ballroom, Country Couples & Line Dancing. Cultural Belly Dance & Novelty Burlesque. Private Lessons are always available. Joy is an inspiring DJ for private parties and weddings. She also host monthly studio dance & theme parties and private rental parties.
Jessica Askew Russo
Instructor/Choreographer
Jessica
has been dancing for
24 years, trained by Joy
Murphy, her mother. She performed at many local festivals and dance
recitals growing up.
She competed in competitions such as I Love Dance and Showbiz. At the
age of 9 she received a 1st place award for student choreography. At
age 11 her group performance “Road” won the
preliminaries
and received National recognition in Dallas, TX. She has been trained
in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, clogging, line dance, belly
dance and social dancing. She was a member of the Russellville Choir in
Jr. High and High School and she studied voice privately for four
years.
In 1999 she was accepted as a dancer to Art's Encounter, an AEGIS camp.
In 2000 she performed in Arkansas Tech University's production of
"Grease." In 2003 she completed a Joe Tremaine Summer Intensive Dance
Workshop for Intermediate/Advanced dancers in Los Angeles, CA. Also in
2003, she was
the NewYork.com Smile Contest Winner. Jessica received training
and has been signed as a model, actress, and dancer at EXCEL Models and
Talent in Little Rock since 2004. She has participated in many runway
events and promotional modeling jobs. In 2005 she was an extra in the
film "Come Early Morning" starring Ashley Judd. In 2007 Jessica was
blessed with a beautiful baby boy. She danced all through her pregnancy
and returned 6 weeks after having her handsome son. In July of 2008
she returned to Los Angeles to attend another Joe Tremaine Summer
Intensive. She trained with the following Master Teachers. Chuckie
Klaypow (Emmy Winning choreographer of "High School Musical"),
Marguerite Derricks ( 3 time Emmy Award Winning Choreographer), Carla
Kama (choreographer of the 2008 Spice Girls tour), Nick Drago (from
Step it Up & Dance), Jonette Swider (International Ballet
Dancer
& Choreographer), Marty Dew ("You Got Served"), Marguerite
Derricks
(choreographer Fame (2009) & (1983-84 TV series), &
Laurie
Johnson (tap dancer, motivational speaker, life coach &
author).
Professional Dance & Fitness Instructor with 31 years experience. Proprietor of Dance With Joy Enterprises, Inc. Arkansas Regional Director of National Dance Week. www.nationaldanceweek.org
Board Member of Arkansas River Valley Arts Center.
Joy moved to Arkansas in 1972 and begin dancing under the direction of Ann Taylor, a professional dancer originating from England. She became an assistant teacher at the age of 16 then opened up her own studios at the age of 18. Joy became an adjunct instructor for Arkansas Tech University in 1978 teaching various styles of dance and fitness classes in Continuing Education under Dr. Don Johnson. As a former pageant circuit Queen she continues being active in the scene with instruction in etiquette, modeling and choreography for competition entrants. She serves as a judge and MC for talent and pageant competitions. Joy appeared in many tapings of the show Club Dance at the White Horse Saloon showcasing Country style dancing airing on the Nashville network TNN. She continues to travel abroad continuing her education in all genres of dance with Tremaine, DMA & DEA. Joy currently instructs; Fitness classes including Pilates, Callanetics, Ballet Barre Workout, & Zumba. Social classes including Ballroom, Country Couples & Line Dancing. Cultural Belly Dance & Novelty Burlesque. Private Lessons are always available. Joy is an inspiring DJ for private parties and weddings. She also host monthly studio dance & theme parties and private rental parties.
Jessica Askew Russo
Instructor/Choreographer
Currently she is pursuing a psychology degree at Arkansas Tech University, teaches the 2 year olds class at TLC, and is a full time instructor at DWJ Studio. Jessica choreographs competition routines & teaches classes in baby dance, creative dance, ballet, tap, jazz, & hip hop for ages 18 months through adult. She is also the owner and creator of Dancing Starre tutus & hair bows.
Business Home page | What's New | Services Home | Price List | Useful Links | Photos | Location of Facilities | Download Page
This document maintained by Bob Lawless.
Material Copyright © 2005 DWJ Enterprises