Turning Pointe’s Top 5 Ways to Support Your Dancer

Fall Peek Week is upon us, and studio-wide, we’re so excited to show you what we’ve been up to! All week long, parents and guardians are invited to watch the last 10 minutes of classes to see just how much work has already gone into the 2022-23 season. And while your student is busy showcasing their skills, you may be wondering what it is exactly that you’re looking at, and whether or not it looks the way that it should. Whether it’s your first Peek or you’ve been watching for years, the curriculum targets can certainly get a little confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out if your student is hitting them. It seems complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. This week’s TP Top 5 is here to help and answer the question “How can I best support my dancer’s success?”

 

1. Be Present

 More than anything, just showing up can have the greatest impact on your student’s success. While you might never understand exactly what they’re working on, being present for the progress will help your dancer feel safe, seen and secure as they prepare to take the stage (in dance and in life). Want to stay a step ahead? Check out Dates to Remember under the “Calendar” tab on our website. Take note of upcoming events and take an interest in what’s happening. Plan ahead for Peek Weeks and any other chances to show your support and be there throughout your student’s studio journey.

 

2. Support Their Teachers

 Did you know each member of the Turning Pointe Dance staff is background checked and CPR certified? Our instructors are also Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certified, including training and continued education through a proven curriculum that covers topics like best practices, injury prevention, conflict resolution, and safety and wellness for every student. They’ve received extensive training on their class curriculum, and how to serve as a leader, mentor and teacher under Turning Pointe’s Mission and Core Values. Long story short, they know what they’re doing, and supporting them is a great way to support your dancer. Consider teacher feedback as tools for praising your dancer’s strengths and encouraging growth in the areas still under development.

 

3. Encourage Them to SHINE

 Whether it’s your dancer’s first year in class or they’ve been dancing for decades, we encourage you to trade pressure for praise, both for your dancer and for the Lord. Encouragement teaches children to evaluate themselves on their own merits. When adults provide children with feedback about what they are doing, the children learn to evaluate themselves without comparing their efforts and successes to those of others. The important thing is never whether or not your dancer is placed in the same level as their friends, if they’re always front and center at recital, or where they fall in relation to their classmates. God created each and every one of us with a unique set of gifts and talents, and that looks different on each and every student. Encourage your dancer to use their talents to praise the Lord, to SHINE in their own unique gifts, and to give Him the glory for it all.

 

4. Reinforce the FAITH

 At Turning Pointe Dance, students are learning more than just great dancing. They’re being trained, body, mind, and spirit, to flourish in their gifts for His glory through monthly memory verses, devotions and prayer prompts. While it’s a great idea to check in and ask your dancer what they worked on in class, we also encourage you to ask them about their verses and prompts, and how they grew closer to God at dance. If they had a difficult day or struggled to achieve a skill, shine God’s grace and remind them He commanded us to make a joyful noise, not a perfect note on the very first try. Find scriptures together about perseverance on the hard days, and about humility on the good days. We are seen and loved by the Father in each and every step of class, no matter how that looks on any given day.

 

5. Reinforce the FUN

 If your dancer truly LOVES to dance, nurturing that spark can take your dancer all the way from supported to successful. Give your dancer more opportunities to do what they love by signing them up for a mini camp or special event like the Nutcracker Tea, or even by trying new classes during a Free Trial Week. We have opportunities to learn and dance all year long, so be sure to read your Monthly Newsletter and Weekly Wednesday email, and follow us on social media for information on upcoming events.

 Come and celebrate our students this week, and join us in supporting them each and every step of this season. (Your next chance to watch is Dec. 5-10!)

Turning Pointe's Top 5 Tips For a Successful Dance Year

Can you believe we’re up and running on another dance year? As the premiere faith-based dance studio in Colorado Springs, we’ve got almost 20 years of experience under our belt… and we even feel those first class nerves sometimes! We know what you’re asking. “What does my child need for dance?” “How can I help my child succeed this dance year?” “How can I calm my dancer’s nerves?” We hear you, and we’re here to help! Turning Pointe is committed to providing excellence in dance and theater instruction while cultivating hearts of worship and nurturing creativity. From your child’s first class to their graduation performance, we’re here to make sure each student thrives in His name, every step of the way.

While there’s plenty of information out there, let’s start small with these simple steps to kickoff a successful dance year:

1. Read Your Resources

As parents, we’re inundated with information about our kids' activities. But even though it feels like a lot, keeping up with communication really is the easiest way to keep yourself in the loop! At Turning Pointe, we send an informational email each week and a newsletter each month to keep all of our dancers and families informed. Did you know we offer free trial weeks, the chance to bring a friend to class and parent peek weeks three times a year? We even host monthly outreach initiatives to shine the light of Christ to our community! Staying in the know will keep you one step ahead. And believe us… knowing what’s going on and what’s coming up goes a long way toward being calm and prepared! Which brings us to tip number 2…

2. Be Prepared

There’s nothing like scrambling at the last minute to send nerves flurrying on your way to class. Set your child up for success by arriving prepared and ready to go! Everything you need is already just a click away. Students received an email from their teachers prior to the first week of classes with information about the dress code, how to check which studio their class is in, what to bring to class, and even which Bible verse we’ll be studying this month. Take some time to familiarize yourself with our guidelines and policies from dancewear to registration and tuition so nothing comes as a surprise. If you didn’t receive an email from your teacher, or haven’t received a Weekly Wednesday from the studio, let us know at customercare@turningpointeschoolofdance.com. We’ll make sure your information is entered correctly and up-to-date!

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

Now that classes are up and running, it’s time to put that old saying to the test: Practice makes perfect! Encourage your dancer to practice what they learned in class at home so they’re comfortable and prepared for the next week. Have them teach you what they’re working on, or even give a dance class to their siblings and stuffed animals. The more familiar they are with their targets and material, the more comfortable and confident they’ll be. But parents, let’s not leave all the practicing to the dancers! Practice arriving for class on time, asking your dancer about their memory verse for the month, and having the proper clothes and shoes clean and ready to go before dance class days. That preparedness will rub off on everyone!

4. Trust the process

Just like in life, there will always be peaks and valleys to dance through. While it may seem overwhelming, or like your dancer has been working on the same steps forever, or even that they’ve been in the same level without moving up for too long, trusting the process will allow every dancer to thrive. Some steps are difficult and take longer to learn. Some levels are harder to advance beyond. While Turning Pointe uses a thoughtful curriculum designed to safely develop each dancer from first class to advanced student, God has gifted us all in different ways! Every class and every dancer’s progression is different. Trust the process, and encourage your dancer to do the same. We promise, there’s success in every season!

5. Have FUN!

Last but not least, be sure to have fun! Leave the world at the door and enter the studio ready to make friends, be inspired and leave refreshed. Whether this is your first time in class or you’ve been with us all 19 years, we invite you to experience the JOY at Turning Pointe. Our instructors are trained and ready to help you fall in love with dance as a mentor, leader and teacher. We’re all learning to use our gifts for His glory. What could be greater than that?

May Devotion: Reward

After a two-year hiatus, recitals as we once knew them are BACK! Soon we’ll be blessed with the incredible experience of performing in His name, filling the auditorium with praise and worship as we celebrate the gifts and talents God has given each student. We’ll see friends and family together in the audience once again as we hear the music we’ve practiced all season echo through the walls of the auditorium. We’ll smell the flowers in the lobby and the hairspray backstage as we prepare to feel the warmth of the bright lights center stage. And since the theater world over has endured a difficult season since COVID-19 altered the face of performing arts, this year’s return to normalcy will taste even sweeter.

 It’s no secret that the road back to recitals has been challenging, which makes this milestone all the more rewarding. The same can probably be said for the road you’ve traveled this season, whether that’s been since the start of classes, since the start of the pandemic, the last 10 years or the last 10 days. Maybe you’re still navigating your way through a season of struggles. No matter where you are when you take the stage in a few weeks, be assured with this month’s memory verse, Galatians 6:9…

 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

 The fact is, we worship a rewarding God. It’s written all throughout His word. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says the quality of our work will be tested with fire, and if it does not burn, we will be rewarded. Mark 10:29-30 tells us that those who leave to live in His name will receive a reward 100 times their present state. Luke 14:13-14 tells us that those who do good works and bless those who cannot repay will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Are you sensing a theme? Rewards are promised, but not without being earned. There will be fire, broken relationships and sacrifice, but, if we do not grow weary of doing good, it will always pay off in the end.

 If only it were that simple, right? But doing good is hard work, especially if you lose sight of why doing good matters. We are called to live in a way that’s consistent with our beliefs—in a manner that brings honor and glory to our God. In this month’s verse, Paul reminds the Galatian Christians that trusting their lives to the world, relying on their own power and following their own selfish and sinful desires will only lead to corruption and decay. But “do not grow weary of doing good,” because we love a Father who keeps His promises, and He has promised to reward our servant hearts.

 How many times have you felt weary this season? We can feel a lot of exhaustion from the disappointment of canceled plans, setbacks, or even simply trying over and over to nail your skills or choreography that didn’t come easily. Maybe you didn’t get the part you auditioned for and really wanted. Maybe a new dance genre isn’t what you had hoped. God saw it all. He saw your struggles, and he sees your steadfast faith. He sees when we feel defeated. He sees when we’re good stewards of the talents and resources He’s given. He sees when we fall wayward toward our sinful nature. He sees when we seek first the Kingdom. He sees us—always. Just as our sins can’t hide in the shadows, so, too, does God see our faithfulness—a virtue which He has promised a reward.

 Now I know what you might be thinking… I was good through all of the hardships. I did not grow weary. I held true to His promises. Why then am I still struggling? Why wasn’t my progress report a rave? Why didn’t I advance to the next level? Why wasn’t I chosen for a lead role this time? Consider Hebrews 6:10:

 “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.”

 God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He not only sees you through the darkest times, He delights in your commitment and continued investment in Him. So let us not grow weary of doing good for His sake. There is no shortage of rewards on earth and in Heaven. If we can’t see it, we can rest assured in knowing that we trust in His promises, and this is one of them. He has promised that in time, the seeds we have planted in Him will reap a bountiful harvest. Maybe not where, when and what we expect, and maybe not even on this earth, but the scriptures assure us that God will reward us for our service and obedience in love.

 This month, as we prepare for performances, let’s pray that we know His goodness and shine it to all those around us. Let’s faithfully submit ourselves to His plan, and pray that acceptance of His timing and rewards be established in our hearts. Let’s celebrate this season of dance, and know that He will see each performance and be glorified. Let’s enjoy the reward of recital after all of our diligent classwork. We’re so proud of the work you’ve all put in this season, and we can’t wait to see you shine!

The Dos and Don’ts of Stage Makeup

Can you believe it’s almost recital month? In just one week, we’ll get a first look at our students in their costumes with hair and makeup for picture week, with performances on stage soon after. And while getting all dressed up can be one of the highlights of the dance year, it can also be one of the most stressful! The good news is, we’re here to help. A few weeks ago, we shared our top five tips for a successful recital season, including where to find all things hair, tights and shoes for each class. This week we’re sharing all things makeup to help us look our best as we shine His light!

 Tips for Twirl

 Our littlest students are pretty perfect just the way they are, and they don’t perform under the bright lights on the big stage quite yet. But if you want to have some fun being fancy for their big day on the Recital Red Carpet, we say, “keep it simple.” Stick to a light touch of neutral or pink blush, and maybe some clear lip gloss. That’s really all they need!

 Do: Have fun! At this age, our goal is to worship God and have fun as we learn the basics of performing and dance. Anything special you add for the final performance should only add to the joy of the experience!

 Don’t: Do anything you’re not comfortable with. Nothing is required or expected at this age, so don’t force it – especially if you or your student objects!

 Tips for Primary–Level 2

 For this age group, things should still be pretty minimal. While we don’t suggest foundation just yet, these students will be performing under bright stage lights, so their faces will start to wash out. When applying makeup at this level, the goal should be to brighten students' faces and make sure their features show up on stage! We suggest a bit of blush, some mascara (just on the tips of the lashes) and some simple pink lip gloss.

 Do: Stick to neutral colors. Especially for picture week, you want makeup to elevate each dancer’s God-given features, not distract or take away from them!

 Don’t: Put any sparkles or shimmer around your eyes. We know it can be fun to sparkle like your costume, but don’t forget the stage lights will find and bounce off every shimmery flake! When you’re dancing on stage, you want your features to pop–not the makeup itself!

 Tips for Level 3 and Up:

 For our more advanced students, makeup should be like a part of their costume, creating a whole, complete picture from head to toe. These dancers should plan to wear foundation and contour, blush, full eye makeup including shadow and liner, and lip color, with the goal of enhancing costumes, fighting the brightness of stage lights, and making facial features and expressions visible clear up in the balcony.

 Do: Ask your teacher if they have any specific instructions, like a specific lip color or winged eyeliner.

 Don’t: Choose loud or harsh colors like black or bright blue. While products should be heavily pigmented, colors shouldn’t clash with costumes or lights–especially if students are performing with more than one class!

 For more tips, tricks, and application tutorials, follow us on Instagram and check out our archived stories!

Show Your Spirit!

It’s Spirit Week at Turning Pointe Dance! Join us April 18-23 to celebrate Spring and encourage unity and camaraderie among students as we finish the year strong. Want to join in on all the fun? Check out each day’s theme below!

 Monday = Dance Costume Day

 Are those old recital costumes still hanging in your closet? Pull them out and wear them to class! Does your big sibling’s recital costume from a few years ago fit you now? Throw it on and bring it back to life! Light up your Monday classes with a little sparkle, and have fun making every moment a performance.

 

Tuesday = Movie Character Day

 What’s your favorite movie? And your favorite character in that movie? Now’s your chance to bring the screen to the stage (well, the dance floor, anyway). Have some fun choosing your ensemble, then dance the day away as someone new! Just remember to pick something modest that you can move in… it’s still dance class, afterall!

 

Wednesday = Crazy Hair Day

 Put those leotards and tights back on Wednesday, but let those buns OUT! Be creative, and have fun with your ‘do, and enjoy the chance to express yourself in a brand new way. Don’t forget to spray it down… we’ve got pirouettes to do!

 

Thursday = Disney Day

 Celebrate all things Disney during Thursday classes! Be our guest and let it go as you experience a whole new world of dance. Whether you’re under the sea or staring at the edge of the water, we bet you can find 101 reasons to join in all the Disney fun.

 

Friday = Crazy Sock Day

 We hereby grant you permission to ditch your dance shoes, just this once! Rock your craziest socks to class on Friday and celebrate the amazing feet God gave you. They carry you across the floor, afterall!

 

Saturday = TP Spirit Day

 Help us celebrate the studio during Saturday classes with your favorite pieces of Turning Pointe logowear! Don’t have any? Snag some here, or wear studio colors (black, white and pink) instead!

Turning Pointe Top 5: Tips for a Successful Recital Season

Believe it or not, recital season is upon us! By now your student has received their costume(s), finished their dance(s) and are busy gearing up for picture week and performances. As a large studio, we have several shows each year in order to highlight each student and class with a personal and special experience—but with all the information and details floating around, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Good news… we’re here to help! Read on for our latest TP Top 5: Tips for a Successful Recital Season.

 1. Use your resources

 Whether this is your first, fifth or fifteenth recital, chances are, you have questions. And while some questions are more specific than others, chances are, your question is answered somewhere on our website. Before you get stressed, head to our All About Recital page. Our Quick Reference Guide includes performance and rehearsal dates broken down by class, and there’s even a Recital Handbook with everything you’ll need to know from parking details to ticket information. Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Ask a member of our front desk team the next time you drop by the studio, leave us a message or send us an email. Someone will get back to you ASAP!

 Is your student in the Twirl Program? There’s a special page just for you! Check out all things Red Carpet Recital Experience here, including who can come, when to be there and what to expect.

 

2. Be prepared

 Practice makes perfect, right? In addition to practicing the choreography before the big day, we recommend being prepared for the other steps you’ll need to take, too. Do you have the correct tights/shoes for your performances? The Quick Reference Guide will let you know what’s required for each class so you can be prepared. Do you have what you need? Ensure everything fits properly, everything is clean and free of holes or runs. Need any pieces? Add that to your to-do list now so you’re not stressed and scrambling come picture week!

Do you know the hairstyle for your class? The Quick Reference Guide will help you here, too. Make sure you practice the style a few times before the big day! In addition to picture week, have your dancer wear their performance hairstyle to class! That way their teacher can take a look, they’ll get practice dancing with the style, and you’ll know whether or not it will outlast all the leaps and turns. Have any quick hair changes? Be sure to practice those, too!

3. Plan ahead

 Write down the days and times you or your student will need to be at the auditorium, and make your plans accordingly! Arrange for transportation and review the drop-off and pick-up directions in the Recital Handbook so you’re ready to go and know what to expect. Will you or your student have long breaks between classes? Make sure you pack modest cover-ups, non-messy snacks and water. Our dancing bodies are our worship tools, so make sure you take good care!

 

4. Keep it all in perspective

 So I have to be where, when? I need to buy what color tights, and your shoes are too small? Remind me why we’re doing all of this again! Our students are learning a performing art; therefore, they get to celebrate and PERFORM their art! They get to wear fun costumes, show their family and friends what they’ve learned and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate with them. But more than any of that, we dance at recitals for a greater purpose. “My soul magnifies the Lord.” (Luke 1:46) We hope that all of our dancers will be big lights that shine for Jesus. We want to glorify God through our bodies with dancing and present the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Yes, all of our dancers will look amazing in their costumes, they will perform beautifully, and their families will celebrate with them. But more than that, our mission at Turning Pointe will be fulfilled and the heart of God will be blessed and pleased. So when you get swept away in the details, just remember…

 

5. Enjoy every moment!

 The 2022 Spring Recital will only happen once! Find the joy in every task, and remember to thank Him for this (sometimes crazy) season. It’s such a blessing to be able to praise His name with dancing, and to share and shine His light with each class performance. Celebrate His blessings, and help us celebrate these students. They’ve been working so hard all year! Our All About Recital page has all the info on recital keepsakes like recital portraits and action photos, performance BluRays or DVDs, and flowers for your students.

 Are you ready? Let’s savor this season together!

April Devotion: Redeem

What does it mean to be redeemed? Maybe you think of a time when you redeemed yourself on stage or in class, perfectly executing the step that escaped you in the last attempt. Maybe you think of redeeming a coupon or a promo code when you checkout and complete a purchase, the rescue of something pawned, or the payment of a ransom. No matter how you define this month’s devotion word, there is a common thread: A willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Whether it’s sacrificing your time or your pride as you work to correct a past wrong, sacrificing the cost of goods to honor a promotion, or sacrificing what you have to rescue or restore, in order to be made new, something’s got to give. For us as Christians, the ultimate example of redemption is the redeeming of humanity, and our reconciliation with God, through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

 In the book of Ruth, Boaz was known as a kinsman-redeemer. Even though another family member was next in line, Boaz stepped in to assume the role, willingly sacrificing his finances and reputation to protect Ruth and Naomi from poverty and restore their status in the community. And just as Boaz stepped up to redeem his kin, we, too, have been redeemed, saved by grace, through the intervention and willing sacrifice of another. Everyone was born into sin, separated from God after the fall of man in Eden. (Romans 3:23) And just like Ruth and Naomi, we are powerless to change it on our own. But we’ve been redeemed. Jesus sacrificed his life so that ours could be eternal.

 Let’s break it down in this month’s memory verse, Ephesians 1:7:

 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

 Paul is referring to the crucifixion here, as sufficient payment to cover the sins of all who believe. There’s no fine print on the payment receipt. There’s no expiration date on the coupon. We were born into a wrong that He’s already made right. Through His willing sacrifice, we are released from the eternal penalty and the earthly power of our sins. By the grace of God, which gives salvation, the ultimate price for us has already been paid.

 This is grace. It is only through Jesus that we have a way (John 14:6) to salvation (Acts 4:12). And while our freedom was not “free,” because Jesus gave everything, God provided a free way to know Him by faith. Paul goes on to say in Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

 As we continue to reflect on the dance year behind us and look forward to a new season looming, think about who you were before Jesus redeemed you. What has His sacrifice saved you from? How has Jesus restored your status with God? Are there things you’re still trying to overcome? Where do you need His protection today? Trust in Him, our redeemer, who willingly sacrificed his son for our freedom.