Did you know that music, singing, instruments and dancing are mentioned more than 400 times throughout the Bible? Did you know that it all started with Miriam? Sure, Deborah’s song in Judges 5 is one of the most well-known songs in the Old Testament, but she wasn’t the first to sing a song of victory to God. Miriam began that tradition after the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 15, and in fact, every subsequent verse that describes women going out to sing and dance in victory reflects back to her. With more than 400 instances in the scriptures, it’s clear her actions left quite a legacy. They say it only takes one person to cast the stone that creates ripples across the water. This month at Turning Pointe Dance, we’re studying how we can create the ripples that magnify Him.
“Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.’” Exodus 15:20-21
A victory dance isn’t anything new. After all, when something good happens, the natural human reaction is to celebrate. We see it in sports, TV and movies, and even in video games. But when you dance in the victory over circumstances in your life, because of the price Jesus paid for us, our movements mean so much more. John 10:10 tells us He came that we may have life, and have it to its fullness. And when we’re filled with the fullness of God, we express that fullness outward, in every step at every class in our studio. We don’t “dance like nobody's watching,” but rather for an audience of one, rejoicing in the freedom of our victory in Jesus, just as Miriam did. David danced before the Lord with all his might, and in 2 Samuel 6:21, he said, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me … He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord.”
At Turning Pointe Dance, our appointed leaders are more than teachers. They’re mentors and leaders first, leading with love through Biblical principles. They strive to be intentional and experienced, trusted advisors. They’re encouraged and trained not to ask “will I reap a harvest,” but “have I sown any seeds today?” They develop their students by educating and helping others acquire knowledge as role models and community builders. They are background checked and CPR certified, with directors earning additional certifications through the Youth Protection Association for Dance. More than that, they use Christian and inspirational music that fits the wholeness of our endeavor, and the culture we are trying to create—which reaches beyond just dancing. They carefully choose costumes that are age appropriate, beautiful and appropriately modest, and their choreography is appropriate for audiences and dancers of any age. They are chosen to lead by example, and to magnify Him through leadership in their classes.
That’s why Turning Pointe dancers go beyond technique to develop important life skills including learning to be respectful and confident, and share their gifts and talents with the community and beyond, all rooted in faith, with mentors who replant the “why” of our dancing within them. We dance because Miriam danced. We dance in the victory of our King. Our students also have the opportunity to step into leadership in their own right, receiving training and experience in a uniquely Christ-centered environment. The Turning Pointe Dance Teacher’s Assistant and Internship Program trains future leaders to provide basic classroom assistance to teachers and studio management as they serve, observe, and are examples themselves to younger students.
Psalm 78:72 says “David shepherded [his people] with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” As we continue to study the role of leadership within our communities this month, and how that task can make the Lord easier to see, we will continue to instill a love of God and a love of the arts in each student, connecting the foundations of their technique to the Biblical principles they’re founded upon. We’ll continue our 20 year commitment to serve as effective leaders, and study how leadership reflects the ways of God and the person of Christ. Thank you to the families of our 2024-25 season for trusting us with your training, and being a part of the Turning Pointe Dance family!