Our Mission:

The mission of j. Leah Dance Company is to operate a professional modern dance company in the Sacramento area. The company’s focus is to lift understanding and appreciation of modern dance; more specifically, to increase the understanding of dance as a viable outlet for exploration and expression of ideas which ultimately results in a deeper connection with one another.

j. Leah Dance Company works to have full integration with the community through participation in local events, performing site specific works, and creating works that collaborate with local artists of all mediums; thereby making dance more accessible to the general community.

In an effort to strengthen the influence the company has on the community, j. Leah, will offer low-cost workshops open to the public that positively reinforce and facilitate expression through dance.

About Us

Artistic Director

Jennifer Zmuda

Ms. Zmuda studied intensely in ballet under such schools as the Lake Erie Ballet School, The Rock: Official School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, CPYB, Deane Dance Center, Ballet West Conservatory, and the Sacramento Ballet. She performed annually with the Lake Erie Ballet and the Sacramento Ballet performances of the Nutcracker. Ms. Zmuda continued on to receive her Bachelors of Fine Arts with a Teaching Emphasis from the University of Utah Ballet Department. Once she received her first degree Ms. Zmuda spent time performing professionally. Feeling a desire to continue her dance education Ms. Zmuda attended the University of California, Irvine where she received her Master of Fine Arts with a Choreographic Emphasis. During her time at UC Irvine Ms. Zmuda worked closely under dance masters such as Donald McKayle, Loretta Livingston, David Allan, El Gabriel, and Leslie Peck. Ms. Zmuda has returned to the Sacramento area to continue her satisfying career as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She was recently awarded for her choreography of Reverse, My Love, and also received the rare and prestigious opportunity to perform with the Limon Dance Company at the Mondavi Center in Davis, CA. Before j. Leah Dance Company, Ms. Zmuda was a founding Executive and Co-Artistic Director of CORE Dance Collective. She currently is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Cosumnes River College in addition she teaches at Sacramento Ballet, Northern California Dance Conservator and Elite Studio of Dance.

Public Relations Director

Diane Zmuda

Company Members

Joshua Jareol

Joshua received most of his training through Sheldon High School with Becky Hobgood and Debi Roberts. Mr. Jareol participated in Universal Rhythm, Sheldon’s student dance company, from 2002-2005. After graduating from Sheldon, Joshua had the opportunity to dance for three seasons with Eukinetics directed by Melissa Bramham and Dawn Miller and with Sacramento’s well known hip hop dance company, Press Play, directed by Joe Larot and Brandon Greathouse. j. Leah Dance Company member since March 2008.

Heather Matsumoto

Heather received her training through Deane Dance Center and Elite Studio of Dance, where she specialized her training in ballet, lyrical, jazz and tap. She has had the pleasure of training with Allyson Deane, Barbara Crockett, Don Schwennesen, Richard Shi, Allison Evans, Cindy Salgado and Cheryl Copeland. Ms. Matsumoto participated for three years in the Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker, with the Strauss Festival of Elk Grove and performed on the Elite Studio of Dance Competition Team from 04-08. In addition to being a member of j. Leah Dance Company, Ms. Matsumoto is the Co-Owner of Elite Studio of Dance where she has the pleasure of teaching dance to all age groups. j. Leah Dance Company member since March 2008.

Edward Nelson

Edward trained in modern dance for three years with Jill Stripling at Natomas Charter Performing & Fine Arts Academy. During his time at Natomas Charter he had the great pleasure of participating in Master Classes offered by Doug Varone and Dancers. Along with his training through Natomas Charter, Mr. Nelson has four years of experience working with Ron Cisneros and has choreographed for Ryan Warren’s Flying Monkey Productions Summer Dance Collective. j. Leah Dance Company member since March 2009.

Mary Nguyen

Mary began dancing her sophmore year at Oakmont High School, where she spent one year dancing with Oakmont's Dance Team. After graduating from high school Mary started her studies at Sacramento City College, where she currently dances with Sacramento City's Jazz Dance Team. Next year she will serve as Sacramento City's Jazz Dance Team Captain. j. Leah Dance Company member since May 2009.

Clifton Simmons

Cliff began his dance training at Sacramento High School and went on to train with Ron Cisneros. After high school, Mr. Simmons attended Sacramento City College training in modern and jazz with Joan Tierney and more recently has participated in choreography classes at Cosumnes River College. j. Leah Dance Company member since March 2009.

Eric Torneros

Eric began his dance training at Elite Studio of Dance under the direction of Allison Evans. After high school, Mr. Torneros began teaching dance and choreographing for local companies. j. Leah Dance Company member since March 2008.