By Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury
SAN DIEGO — Residing at 2650 Truxtun Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, Malashock Dance is more than just a dance company—it’s a cultural institution with deep ties to the Jewish community and a passion for inclusivity and artistic expression. I had the pleasure of speaking with Molly Puryear, the Executive Director of Malashock Dance, as she shared the journey of this iconic dance school and its unique connection to Jewish heritage.
Puryear, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping the programs at Malashock Dance, spoke fondly of the school’s founder, John Malashock. A quick research into John’s Jewish background and his past choreographies, shows how he integrated his cultural experience into a number of his works, not explicitly, but through the themes of identity, struggle, and resilience.
Malashock Dance has long been committed to exploring themes that resonate with both Jewish and broader cultural narratives. With performances that have addressed issues of history, belonging, and the human condition, Puryear emphasized that the school’s mission extends beyond dance. “We see ourselves as storytellers. And sometimes, those stories are about survival, about faith, and about finding community, all of which are core to the Jewish experience and, of course, the broader human experience.”
But it’s not just through performance that Malashock Dance connects with its community. The dance school, which offers classes for all ages and abilities, has partnered with various cultural institutions to promote inclusivity and social engagement. “Our doors are open to everyone,” Puryear noted. “We even have programs specifically designed to integrate students with disabilities. We want everyone to have a place in the art we create.”
This approach of including various cultures and striving for modernity in their performances also translates into the school’s teaching style. After attending Alexa Fote´s class, who is employed as a dance instructor at Malashock Dance, I can very well say that the classes, having multicultural attendees of all ages and sizes and often being accompanied by modern pop music, bring a fresh breeze into the dance community, which is otherwise often rigid and old-fashioned.
The studio, officially named the Abbe Wolfsheimer Studio after the late San Diego City Councilwoman who was a major donor and passionate supporter of the arts, reflects a space where Jewish generosity has helped create a lasting cultural landmark. Wolfsheimer’s legacy of supporting the arts is felt deeply within the studio’s walls, where dancers, young and old and of all sizes and ethnic backgrounds, come to learn, create, and share.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Puryear was well pleased. “It’s an honor to be part of something that’s not just about dance but about making a difference. Whether through our artistic works, community outreach, or simply the act of creating together, Malashock Dance is a space where stories—many of them with Jewish roots—come to life.”
Malashock Dance continues to thrive as a beacon of creativity in San Diego’s Liberty Station, offering a place for the community to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges, many of which carry the subtle yet powerful influence of Jewish history and values.
*
Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury is an SDJW intern covering dance.