My daughter, Holly, began dancing as a 3-year-old in the Munchkin Creative Arts class. We were so impressed with that first year's show -- we were hooked!

Although the dancing is always awesome (and this year's performance was super-awesome!), that is not what has kept us coming back for 8 years! We love that the girls are taught to respect their elders -- "yes, ma'am, no, ma'am." We love that there is caring conversation and prayer at the beginning or ending of each class. The girls get to know one another, as well as their teachers.

Joy Christian Arts Academy mirrors the values that we teach our children at home. The most important value we share is that we were made to glorify God. I see Holly growing into a beautiful young lady who was inspired to work hard and practice so hard this year. She showed us her routines over and over. She persevered through all the practices, dance changes, itchy false eyelashes, and the panic of her first costume change because she loves to get on stage and shine for Jesus! You taught her that over the last 5 years, and we are so grateful!

We are looking forward to another great year ahead!

Colleen Berry 
 

My husband and I feel so completely blessed to be a part of this studio. Our son and two daughters have been here for going on 6 years now and we wouldn't have them anywhere else. Our son is a guitar student at JCAA. We love his teacher and appreciate the patience and godly example he demonstrates with our son. Our son is middle school age, he's been taking lessons for the last 5 years and has been confidently playing in a praise band for 2 years. It has been really exciting seeing him use his gift in worship and we can't wait to see how the Lord will use him as he continues to grow. We're so thankful for the music program and the teachers at JCAA.

When my daughters expressed interest in taking dance, like most people I checked around. I wasn't exactly thrilled about some of the costumes I had seen or some of the song choices I had heard. So, one day as I was looking through the phone book I found Central Florida Christian Performing Arts, (which was formerly the name of the studio before Joy Christian Arts Academy) and I thought, huh? My husband and I are Christians so that definitely caught my attention. We knew if our daughters were going to dance it would have to be at a place where there was age appropriate, non offensive music and modest costumes. When I called the studio, I was pleasantly surprised to be offered a previous recital video to take home and watch so we as a family could make a discerned decision. The show video was beautiful and the choreography truly did glorify the Lord. Since that day our family has been very actively involved at JCAA. Both our daughters absolutely love dancing and both dance in the Petite Noel Company. My husband and I feel so blessed for having this studio to take our children to. We absolutely love all the teachers and are so thankful for their godly influence over our children. In class, the girls pray for one another, they learn scripture and how it applies to their lives and they're taught how they can use their gifts and talents to bring glory to the Lord through dance. We love the showcase performances at the end of the year. It's so wonderful to see the improvement of learned skills from one year to the next and the spiritual growth as well. The costumes are always beautiful and modestly cool, not racy or provocative. I'm always so excited to see the performances, but then sad when it's all over.

After this past recital my husband and I felt like this one was the best one ever (even though we say that every year) and we both agree that our girls should definitely continue at JCAA. The upcoming year will be on a bigger scale as both our girls desire to be on the Petit Noel Dance Company. This will definitely put a squeeze on our finances since we have two daughters who are equally interested in all styles of dance. We've asked the Lord to guide and provide as we embark on this next year. My girls and I have been doing fundraisers over the summer and will most likely continue throughout the year. This is not just about dance. Our girls love the Lord and are learning to use their gifts and talents to give praise and worship Him. This coming year they will be improving much more in skill ability since they are doing so many more classes than in the past, doing outreach events and having even more opportunities to grow spiritually. We love JCAA and we're so thankful for the blessing this studio has been to our family. We wouldn't have our children anywhere else.

Vic and Jennifer Elsey
 

As I recently thought back to my story of how I came to know Jesus, the dance studio, now called Joy Christian Arts, kept coming up.  The studio was just a place I came to every week until it turned over it's purpose to the glory of God.  I first learned about personal expression of prayer sitting in a circle before dance class in my pre-teen years and was encouraged to memorize Scripture before I knew the power of hiding God's word in my heart.  God was preparing my spirit to hear the Truth at a critical time in my teenage life where I easily criticized a fallen world and lacked hope to continue on in it.  The teachers at the studio don't just teach the arts to the next generation, but they model a lifestyle that is moved by Truth to sacrifice it all daily for the One who gives life abundantly.  It inspired me and still does - Joy Christian Arts is giving glory to God through the arts yes, but even more, they are giving God glory by investing in the next generation of young women and men who will shape this world.  They see the potential in each artist and see into the identity each person has in Christ.  I was lucky enough to continue to have some of the same dancers in my classes throughout middle and high school.  The "class" that graduated a few years ago from high school and the studio continues to impact the dance studio by teaching and dancing there.  But also, they continue to be transformed by God and stretch across disciplines from physical therapy to education to geography to engage those around them for Christ.  In moving across the country to Seattle, Washington, I have humbly pursued a new way of life in community with other believers who continually give their lives to Him who is worthy and to others who don't yet know Christ.  My current AmeriCorps year has placed me back in the university arena I just graduated from, but with the chance to use God's gift of service to give college students the opportunity to serve their community.  While I now rarely use my skills in dance, the way Joy pointed me to where I can seek after life and Truth ripples out in me and in the places I'm in everyday.  I believe this is how God designed Joy Christian Arts's ministry and will continue to bless the studio as it loyally seeks after Him and invests with prayer in each generation going out into the world. 

Shannon A. Smith

Dear MJ,
Just a note regarding your recital. It was the best ever!! The evening could not have been more exciting. Your costuming was fabulous. Your students were excited about dancing! The mimes were a great added touch. Congratulations on a production well done!
Love,
Darrah
 

Well, my comments on JCAA - I especially like the teacher, Miss Julia!
I am blessed each year by the recital.  It is wonderful that there is so much more going on behind the creating of the dances.  We all know how much hard work goes into producing a flawless dance, yet it is over in a few brief minutes.  However, because JCAA's vision is so much more encompassing - it isn't just about the "dance".  The relationships and building a relationship with our Heavenly Father is our desire.  And it is a joy to see the students express their worship for their Heavenly Father each recital.  I know that mentoring and encouraging new student teachers is at the heart of JCAA's program as well because I was given the opportunity to teach and use my gifts here. 

Lord willing, I look forward to being a part of another recital this June - another time of praise and worship through the arts.

Alumni 1995-2001
Beth Rosamond

JCAA is practically my second family. All the dancers, teachers, and staff members make every day there so enjoyable. There are so many good memories from the studio that I will never, ever forget. I love dancing there with all of my heart, and look forward to all the years ahead of me!
-Maddie (:
   

  I could have written a book about our “life at JCAA”, but I figured you might want to hear from others besides me.“Having four daughters who desired to dance and learn to play the piano, I know finding JCAA was definitely a gift from God.  It has been an incredible journey that lasted 12 wonderful years for our family!  The teachers clearly have hearts that are on fire for the Lord and hearts that are filled with joy and compassion for their students.  Not only did my girls learn to dance, they were also able to see God’s Word lived out through costumes that were beautiful yet modest, along with dancing and music that honored and glorified Our Savior.  My daughters were able to witness firsthand as prayer requests were given and answered in their classes.  They also built lasting friendships with girls they were able to dance with over the years, and they were even able to dance together as sisters!  JCAA became an “extension” of all that we were trying to instill in our girls at home as they grew into young ladies.  Two daughters even “grew up” to become teachers at JCAA.  What a HUGE blessing JCAA has been to our family.  They are truly living out their mission statement—building the Kingdom of God through the arts.”  

Richard and Lesley Wallace

Dear Joy Team,
I just wanted to say thank you for the blessing you all have been to me and my family. I have been praying a lot for you lately and I know God has many wonderful blessings for you in the New Year!! You are a mighty warrior for Christ. Continue to stand on the front line and worship like never before, it is then that the enemy will continually be confused. NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER, FOR YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUER!!! Gal. 6:9

With love and gratitude,

Marisol and Family

Congratulations on another great successful recital. Thank you for being such a great influence on my family over the years. JoAnn "Mom Moose"