Bronxville Resident "Jockeys" Between Worlds of Business, Performing Arts and Children

The old saying that variety is the spice of life could seem appropriate for Challenge Day Camp instructor, Joanne Maurno. 

With a background in sales and marketing and a passion for theatre, cultivated at The Second City and as an actor in Chicago and New York, Maurno has always melded her careers in business and the performing arts. 

A Bronxville resident, she currently teaches drama at P.S. 140 in New York City and is a promotions specialist.  This summer, she will return to Challenge Day Camp, located on the campus of the in Eastchester, to share her knowledge in five diverse and interesting classes. 

Last summer, Maurno taught two classes, “Is That Your Final Answer” and "Cheers". Utilizing several fun game show formats to teach and entertain about different topics, theses ranged from astronomy and history to sports and pop culture.  Cheers taught the fundamentals of cheerleading techniques.

“Ironically, years ago I was a cheerleader at , just steps up the road from the camp,” said Maurno. 

Maurno will also be teaching a class on entrepreneurship and philanthropy, where students create and market their own businesses and all of the profits from their sales will be donated to the non-profit organization, Seeds of Peace. 

Other classes taught by Maurno include Make Em Laugh, helping future comedians to write their first stand-up routine and Hip-Hop Dance.

When discussing her unique combination of talents, Maurno comments that her business savvy has helped her acting career and vice versa.

“I have always enjoyed jockeying between the worlds of marketing and entertainment," she stated, continuing that, "they are more similar than you might think and maybe it was foreshadowing that as a little girl I wanted to be a jockey when I grew-up.”

Celebrating 32 years in Westchester, Challange Camp counterbalances academic morning sessions with afternoon sports, dance and movement classes.  With a variety of workshops and sports instruction for gifted and talented children from pre-kindergarten through junior high school, the camp gives children an opportunity to live in the worlds of academia, sports, entertainment and more.

“It seems Challenge Camp is a match made in heaven for me.” noted Maurno. “They allow me to inspire children to pursue a variety of interests and passions in a fun, explorative and encouraging environment.”

If you are interested in enrolling your children in Challenge Day Camps, you can go to challengecamp.com or call 914-779-6024 for more information.