Shelly Ridley Steward is a native of Columbus, Ohio. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Judah Performing Arts Center, the home of Judah Dance Theater, Preaching Feet Dance Company, and Judah PAC. She is also the founder and director of Christian Dance Academy.

Mrs. Ridley-Steward received her dance certification from The Ohio State University where she has also done graduate work. She is a state licensed Dance Educator who taught Dance in Columbus Public Schools for 10 years. Shelly has ministered dance throughout the United States and Africa. She has worked and ministered with various groups and organizations like Upward Bound, FACE, Columbus Parks and Recreation, Life Line, Out of Him Ministries and various churches.

Shelly is a graduate of the Ft. Hayes Performing Arts Program. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While matriculating at the University of the Arts, she studied dance from the world renowned faculty members such as Pat Thomas, Milton Myers, Donald Lunsford, Judith Jamison (Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater) and Maurice Hines (Brother and dance partner of famed performer Gregory Hines).

She is the founder of The Raah Church Dance Ministry, which later became Trevitt New Life Dance Ministry where she attends. Shelly resides in Columbus with her husband and children.

 

Meghan Schultz

Meghan brings her strong passion and love of dance to the Judah Performing Arts Center. She is a recent graduate from The Ohio State University where she received a Masters of Arts in Education. Prior to that, she received her Bachelors of Arts and K-12 teaching license in dance from the University of Akron. She has nearly 10 years of teaching experience in public schools and private studios around Ohio.