Jessie Johnston

Jessie Johnston grew up at a small studio in the mountains called Spirit of Dance. Falling in love with Ballet, Jazz, Modern, contemporary and Hiphop! After taking a small break from dance in her early 20s, she joined a non-profit studio while living in Hawaii. There, her love for dance grew again as she taught classes and began to grow her skills as a dancer. When the Lord called her back to Colorado, she joined a studio called Rez Dance. During her time at Rez, she got the privilege of dancing for the Rez Dance company. She taught modern and ballet, (occasionally jazz and hiphop) while also choreographing for their competition team. Her pieces have won multiple awards including the Best Choreographer Award.

Jessie has traveled as a missionary over the years to over 13 nations. Throughout her time traveling she saw dance as an opportunity to enter into worship and connection with believers of all backgrounds and ethnicities. She was able to dance and teach dance in various nations including Nicaragua, Jordan, and Thailand. 

Jessie is extremely passionate about helping her students encounter the love of Christ while they dance. “I have personally met Jesus again and again through dance. In Him we find breakthrough, in Him we find freedom. Dance has always been an avenue for the Lord to reach my heart.” 

Abbie Roberson

Abbie recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama at Grand Canyon University, where she has performed in productions including Beauty and the Beast as Marie and 12 Angry Jurors as Juror #2. She also has extensive musical theatre experience, with leading roles including Marian in The Music Man, Katherine in Newsies, and Belle in Beauty and the Beast.

Abbie is passionate about helping students grow in both confidence and creativity while fostering a love for the performing arts. She enjoys creating an encouraging classroom where dancers can develop their skills, express themselves, and discover the joy of performance.

Kye Galvin

After being part of the Starz community for five years, Kye graduated last spring from performing onstage to now serving the company on the directorial side. Through the past few years, Kye has been involved with almost every aspect of the theatre – from performing to choreographing, stage managing, classes and training, and everything in between. Now, he is so excited to be able to use his experience to encourage and uplift this next generation of students. He is so blessed by this incredible team who has mentored him through this process and is so proud of this talented cast and crew for saying yes to what God has done through this season. 

Mylie Buck

Mylie Buck began dancing in Greeley, Colorado and later moved to California where her in-depth training began at Pacific Ballet Conservatory. During her years of training, Mylie attended summer programs at the Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Houston Ballet. In 2018, she accepted an offer to dance in the professional division of the Houston Ballet Academy where she danced for three years on merit scholarship. Mylie was then offered a position in the Studio Company with the Colorado Ballet in 2021 and was promoted to Apprentice with the Company in 2023 and Corps de Ballet in 2025.  

Since moving back to Colorado, Mylie has enjoyed the opportunities to perform in various roles and ballets with the company including Cygnets in Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Rubies and Serenade, Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias, Yoshihisa Arai’s Bolero, Val Caniparoli’s Jekyll and Hyde, Kenneth Tindall’s Casanova, Septime Weber’s Alice (in wonderland), Derek Deane’s Romeo and Juliet, and Giselle. 

Teaching has really put into perspective what this has all been about to Mylie. She’s so grateful for God’s guidance and faithfulness and she is so ecstatic to be transitioning into teaching full time at some incredible studios here in CO!

Christina Young, TA Program Assistant Director

Christina grew up in Woodstock, GA, where she received her formal training in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, contemporary, and lyrical. She then went on to study in musical theater, acting, and dance in Colorado Springs. There, her passion for storytelling through the arts was developed as she performed with Legacy Productions’ dance troupe for 3 years, performing in 7 musical theater productions as well as playing the lead role in Lightbulb Theater Company’s original play, “Out of the Dust”. 

She trained and performed in partner-work in the styles of ballet and swing and for 2 years enjoyed performing the pas de deux, “Silent Night” in “The Heart of Christmas”. She has also performed and choreographed for the Living Proof Live worldwide broadcast and performed in the Atlanta Hawks halftime show.

After returning to Atlanta, she trained and performed with multiple adult dance companies in the genres of ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and musical theater and played the role of Clara in “The Nutcracker”, while also teaching dance and choreographing solos for ministries, spoken word events, and a mission trip.

Christina is passionate about raising up the next generation in the truth and love of God and her mission is to create a safe place for students of all ages to learn and grow as she fosters a love for dance and the performing arts in every person she has the privilege to encounter!

Beth Jordahl

Beth Jordahl took her very first dance class at 3 years old and she never stopped dancing! She took classes in ballet, modern, jazz, worship, tap, swing, and pointe at several different studios. At 15 she joined a Youth Ballet Company and performed in ballets including; The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more. She started teaching at 17. After graduating high school, she joined local worship ballet company, Ballet Emmanuel. She so enjoyed being able to use dance and worship to share the love of Jesus with people! After leaving the company, she headed to college where she studied English and Psychology, graduating with a BS in Psychology. She started teaching at Turning Pointe Dance in 2011. She loved getting to bless students with both the gift of dance and the love of Christ. She has also been able to perform, choreograph and teach dance during mission trips to El Salvador, Peru, Guatemala, Great Britain, France and Germany. Currently, Beth teaches ballet, jazz, twirl and worship at Turning Pointe. She works as a Director of Family Ministries at her church. She loves coffee, reading, writing, playing the piano and has recently taken up knitting. Beth is married to her best friend, Peter, and they have two wonderful girls. 

Abbie Van Horn

Abbie has been dancing at Turning Pointe for 17 years, and graduated in 2023. She has been a part of both Starz Theater Company and Fidele Youth Dance Company in various capacities, and is now serving as a choreographer and assistant leadership with FYDC. Abbie was a Teacher’s Assistant at Turning Pointe for three years, moving on to a year long internship with the studio, and now has been teaching for two years. She teaches twirl, ballet, musical theater, swing, and tap.  Abbie is very passionate about dance as a worship form and an expression of joy, no matter the style!

David Kiyak

David began his dance journey at the age of five in northern Alabama.  When he was fourteen, he began receiving formal training with the Huntsville Ballet under the guidance of Clinton Rothwell. At eighteen, David took his first professional position with the Alabama Ballet, and within just one year, he was promoted to principal dancer due to his exceptional talent as a dance partner. During his time with the Alabama Ballet, David had the opportunity to perform lead roles in numerous contemporary works, including Christopher Bruce's Rooster, as well as classical ballets such as Balanchine's Nutcracker and Serenade.

In 2010, David joined the Orlando Ballet under the artistic direction of Robert Hill where his skill and artistry quickly earned him a promotion to principal dancer after his first season. Over the next six years, David captivated audiences with his leading roles in Romeo and Juliet, Carmen, Sleeping Beauty, and Coppélia, to name a few. He also showcased his talent in numerous contemporary works and participated in tours, performances, and galas across America, Europe, and the Philippines. David's versatility extended beyond the ballet stage when he was an on-call performer for Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba, where he became proficient in the Cyr wheel, adding another dimension to his impressive skill set.

Since retiring from performing in 2017, David has continued his passion for dance by dedicating himself to teaching, allowing him to share his knowledge and passion for dance across the United States and Europe. He is a qualified ABT curriculum teacher and is well-versed in the Vaganova and Royal Ballet syllabi. He is currently on staff with Dance Revolution and serves as a lead for the ADC International Ballet Competition.

Ava Cross

Ava Cross began dancing at the age of two and has spent much of her training at Turning Pointe School of Dance, where she developed a love for both dancing and teaching for the Lord. She spent three years as a teacher’s assistant and one year interning at the studio before beginning to teach in 2024. She has training in a variety of styles including ballet, modern, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, swing, tap, musical theater, hip hop and had the opportunity to spend a semester dancing with the High Altitude Dance Ensemble. Ava has a passion for praising God through the gift of dance and hopes to pass that passion down to the next generation of dancers. 

Kristi Hill

Kristi Hill is a music teacher, vocalist, songwriter, and voice instructor with 20+ years of classroom experience making music come alive for students. She is passionate about creating joy and instilling confidence in young performers, teaching them to excel in their craft while cultivating dependence and trust in the Lord along the way. Her recording projects are available on Spotify and Apple Music.

Grace Brassard

Grace began her dance journey 11 years ago with Turning Pointe. Her passion for the arts has grown since then. In those years she has been able to study ballet, modern, hip-hop, musical theater, jazz, and a bit of ballroom and swing. She performed with Starz Theater Company for 2 years, in a lead understudy role and dance captain. The teachers assistant program was brought to her attention 9 years ago, and she worked as a TA for 2 years before becoming an intern, and finally a teacher in 2021. Grace has always had a heart for children of all ages, and worked with them as a teacher or aide through multiple organizations. She currently works as a preschool teacher at a daycare, pursuing a higher education in teaching. She loves the beauty of dance and seeing God's love and light shine through her students!

HAVILAH BELLAH

Havilah danced at Ballet Magnificat! based out of Jackson, MS, for 11 years. There she was trained in Vaganova style ballet. She was a member of their first company of Magnificat! Youth Ballet. They performed all over the state and participated in internationally performed ballets. Havilah had opportunities to teach as well- giving private lessons and hosting her own dance intensive. At 19, she interned with a professional company out of Dallas called Ingredients Dance Company where she had most of her broader training from hip-hop to modern. Ingredients traveled nationally with a convention called Dance Revolution. In the summer of 2014, she attended Iris’ Harvest School (a missionary training school) in Mozambique, Africa. There she taught ballet and helped choreograph dances for the students while also broadening her training in African style dances. In the fall of 2014, she moved to Colorado Springs, CO, to help jump-start a modern/contemporary company, Cielo.

LAUREN SHINNICK

Lauren Shinnick is a kindergarten teacher who loves to share her love for learning! She started Irish dance when she was 5 years old and was in dance competitions for 15 years. Through the competitions, she was able to travel all over the world experiencing different cultures. She has accomplished winning the regional championship in solo competition, as well as winning the world championship in Dublin, Ireland in the teams competitions. In November of 2016 she got married to Dylan and they have two fur babies that complete their family, for now. For 3 years during college she was a youth group leader at church to middle school aged girls. Sharing the love of Christ and the grace that is so graciously given to us through dance and teaching is a passion for Lauren.

LYLA WOOD

Lyla was born and raised here in Colorado Springs. She has been dancing since she was three years old and has been training in styles such as, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theater, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Worship, and Pointe. Lyla has also been in plays since she was 7 and in musicals since she was 13. She has performed in parts such as, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, Mrs. Mayor in Seussical, Marilla in Anne of Green Gables, and many more. She graduated high school and is currently studying at PPCC in Elementary Education. She wants to become a 3rd grade teacher once she graduates. She has a passion for teaching and building relationships with children. She began at Turning Pointe fourteen years ago. She also participated in Starz and is currently in Fidele. She was a TA for two years and an Intern for one. This is her first year student teaching and is extremely excited to work with the kids. She teaches Twirl and Primary Ballet. Besides dancing she enjoys, drinking coffee, drawing and painting, history, hiking, reading, writing, playing with her cats, worshiping, caring for others, and spending time with friends and family. Being a part of Turning Pointe is a dream come true for her and she is excited to see what else God has in store for her here at this studio.

MORGAN NELSON, Special Needs Liason

Morgan first studied Ballet and Pointe at Ballet Society of Colorado Springs from elementary through high school. Then in college at John Brown University, she trained in and performed Ballet, Contemporary Worship, Lyrical Worship, and Modern while getting her degree in Early Childhood Education. Morgan began teaching at Turning Pointe in 2013, as well as teaching elementary school for 7 years. She received her Masters in Special Education and is the teacher of our Creative Collaborators class. She is also the mother of Baylee Hope, in whose honor the Baylee Hope Scholarship Fund was created. As a young child Morgan learned how to worship the Lord through dance and wants to pass this same beautiful expression of worship on to each of her students.

SARA MURDAUGH, Pointe Director

Sara comes from Longview, Washington where she received an AAS in Pre-Physical Therapy. In 2001 she received her BA in dance from San Jose State University where she graduated Cum Laude and received the “Senior of the Year Award” for excellence in performance, choreography and academics. While attending San Jose State University, under the tutelage of Janet VanSwoll, Gary Masters and Fred Mathews, she was invited to perform with the University Dance Theater, which enabled her to perform with the Limón Company as well as work with world-renowned choreographers. Sara has performed in various venues during her multi-decade career, including on the cruise ship The Big Red Boat and eight years with the Ormao Dance Company and Mathtastic. Her award winning choreography has been used all over the west for dance companies, musicals and competitions to name a few. Ms. Murdaugh has had the pleasure of working with all ages and levels in multiple positions including public schools and ice rinks. Through the years, Sara has had the honor to work with students that have been scholarship recipients in some of the best dance schools in the nation, as well as world recognized ice skaters. Currently a Cecchetti Qualified Teacher (Level V) and PBT licensed, Sara teaches at several area studios and was the Training Division Director at Turning Pointe Dance for 11 years.

SHANI KREUNEN

Shani was born and raised on the island of Kaua’i where at six years old she began dancing Hula.  At the age of 13, she had the honor of representing her home island along with her halau (Hula school) in the most prestigious international Hula competition, The Merrie Monarch Festival. 

Shani first fell in love with Hip Hop at a very young age while dancing around the house to 80’s tunes.  Hip Hop became her passion while on the cheer/dance team during high school where they performed at a number of community events, and participated in the AmeriCheer/Dance National Competition in Orlando, FL.  She began her Hip Hop training at Excel Dance Studio, and was chosen as a primary dancer for various productions on Kaua’i.

In addition to her major studies, Shani continued studying Hip Hop in college.  She spent much of her time training for community dance projects such as Hip Hop for Heart, and was also a Hula choreographer for the Hawai’i Club at the University of Oregon.  

 Shani later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance where she continued to study Hip Hop at The Athletic Garage Dance Center.  A few years later, she found herself creating a worship dance ministry for children and teens at her local church.  She was dedicated to helping students discover their gift and passion for dance, and to use that gift to bring glory to God.

 Along with dance, Shani loves everything beachy, sunsets, dark chocolate, coffee and family adventures with her husband, Eli, and their three children: Brynna, Vincent and Zayden.