From the age of 3, JDM’s Artistic Director, Julie Dickens, has loved dance. Her first exposure to dance was at Kester’s School of Dance in Weirton, WV.

For 6 years, Julie was a student teacher and a competitive dancer at Sandra Lynn’s School of Dance and has trained in a variety of dance styles including: jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, modern and pointe. Additionally, Julie’s travel has been extensive to complete dance master classes with great names such as Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Gus Giordano, Pamela Bowling, Karen Hebert, Nan Giordano and Charles Kelly.

Graduating from Radford University in 1998 with a Biology/Chemistry Degree and Dance Minor, her years at the University saw Julie dance for the RU Rockers Dance tea. Furthermore, Julie showed her skills for both the Men and Women’s Highlander Basketball games.

In 1998, Julie began teaching dance at New Castle Dance and Music Academy, while working in the chemistry field. Obtaining her Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Delaware, 2003 saw Julie and her husband, Bill, move to Dallas, TX. to begin her career in Neonatal Nursing. The years followed until 2007 when Julie and Bill became parents to their beautiful daughter, Marley.

Throughout her life, dance has always been in the center of Julie’s heart. When Marley began dance lessons of her own, Julie knew her life dream of opening her own studio was something she now wanted to wholeheartedly pursue. This moment saw the birth of JDM, where Julie continues to share her passion for dance with her daughter alongside many other children and adults in the community.

With a goal is to establish a positive and exciting environment for her students to learn the disciplines of dance, Julie aspires to share both technique and passion with her students.