Meet Jana Mitchell | Dance Company Owner and Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jana Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jana, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I have always been a workaholic. It is hard running a dance studio and raising kids. For many years I thought I was doing a great job balancing everything. Looking back, I needed to put more focus on my kids. Eventually, I did close my studio and begin teaching for others. Now I only work with six elite dancers who were hand-chosen for their commitment, talent, and family involvement. Instructing only six girls keeps things simple. I have seen so much improvement in them with our new program and my new schedule allows me to focus on family first. My children are grown but I am very involved in their lives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
JMDance Company is an invitation-only elite dance company started in 2022. We are a small group of hard-working and passionate dancers who are committing to bettering ourselves and the community. I’m known for being strict and expecting nothing but the best from my dancers because I love to see a child realize that they have more in them than they even know. Seeing how proud they are of themselves motivates me to put 100% into my dancers. I founded my first dance studio, Dancin’ Feet, in 1990 in Lewisville, Texas which I went on to own for 17 years. During that time, the studio was named a Top 50 Studio in the Nation by Dance Spirit Magazine with several alumni going on to have successful careers as professional dancers.

Today I direct six incredibly talented and smart dancers who are always seeking a bigger challenge. At our first convention this year, we took home the palladium award and 2nd overall. This is only the beginning for JMDance Company! We are also dedicated to serving our community. We recently hosted an awesome book drive, donating more than 1000 books to the Book Drive for Kids organization.

I have had many challenges in my career. I try to learn a lesson from everything that hasn’t gone well. The main lesson I have taken away from teaching for over 35 years is to listen to your heart. If you feel that it is time to make a change, do it! Don’t wait until you are miserable. I’ve always continued to do the same thing day in and day out even when I know I should move on to something different. I owned my own studio for over 17 years. Although I have many wonderful memories, I feel like I should have closed it sooner. I had three young kids and a husband. I missed out on many things due to being at the studio every evening and on the weekends. I did finally close it but my oldest daughter was already in middle school by that time. After that, I taught at several different studios just because I missed my passion. None of them were a perfect fit for me. I tend to give too much and take away from my family time. Most of the time, it was taken for granted.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
– Coffee @ Sip & Stir – Shopping @ Painted Tree Highland Village
– Dinner @ Marty B’s

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout would be to my husband, Jim Mitchell. He is the most supportive person in my life. Even when I worked for another studio and spent thousands of our own money on dance training equipment, he always encouraged me to teach my way. He understands my love for my students is deeper than just teaching dance. I want to offer them every opportunity to be a better dancer and a better human being. Jim and my family are the best!

Instagram: jmdance_company

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JMDanceCompanyTX

Other: TikTok is jmdance_company

Image Credits
JMPhotography (Photography by Jim Mitchell) Brian Balloon Photography