All About Auditions

It’s already April, and you know what that means… It's time for springtime company and program auditions at Turning Pointe Dance! Auditions can be an exciting opportunity, and a great experience for students of all ages and abilities, regardless of outcome. Ready to put yourself out there? Here’s what’s coming up this month at Turning Pointe, along with our top five tips to prepare for a successful audition!

Turning Pointe Training Division

 April Audition Date: Monday, April 10, 2023

April Audition Time: 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Additional Audition Dates: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 (5:30-7 p.m.)

 About the Training Division: Students accepted into the Training Division for the 2023-24 season will receive high quality, technically focused, faith-centered instruction, specifically for students who are passionate about Classical Ballet. Acceptance is required prior to enrolling in Training Division classes for the upcoming school year session.

 More Information: TurningPointeSchoolOfDance.com/Training-Division

Questions: training.turningpointe@gmail.com (Ms. Sara)

 

Fidèle Youth Dance Company

 April Audition Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023

April Audition Time: 10 a.m. - Noon (age 10-13); 12:30-2:30 p.m. (students age 14+)

Additional Audition Dates: Saturday, June 3 (same times)

 About Fidèle Youth Dance Company: Students accepted into FYDC’s 10th season will be cast in their 2023 production of “Bring Her Home,” an original stage adaptation of the novel by the same name (and a royal re-telling of The Prodigal Son). Cast members aged 14 and up can also be considered for the inaugural FYDC Missions Team, which will travel to El Salvador over Spring Break 2024.

 More Information: FideleYouthDanceCompany.com/Auditions

Questions: FideleYouthDanceCompany@gmail.com (Ms. Mimi)

 

STARZ Theater Company

 April Audition Dates: Friday-Saturday, April 21-22, 2023

April Audition Times: Turning Pointe Dance students ages 9-18: April 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and April 22, 12:30-5 p.m.; Students from the COS community: April 22, 6-8 p.m.

Additional Audition Dates: Sunday, April 23 (Callbacks for select auditionees)

About STARZ Theater Company: April’s auditioning students will be considered for a role in STC’s summer production of Frozen Jr. This fast-paced summer session will kick off June 12 and rehearse through July 20 before turning the ENT Center stage to Arendelle July 20-22.

More Information: StarzTheater.org/FrozenJrAuditionDetails

Questions: http://www.starztheater.org/contact

 

Turning Pointe’s Top 5 Tips for a Successful Audition:

1. Read everything carefully

When auditioning for anything, it’s important to know exactly what to expect. Nerves will be at an all-time high, and curveballs can only make potential performers (and their families) even more anxious! Everything you need to know should be publicly available, so do your best to know everything you’ll need to know ahead of time. Bonus Tip: Research the company or production you’re trying out for while you’re at it! Read the book. Watch the movie. Check out last year’s Handbook. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be!

 

2. Present yourself well

You know what they say… if you look great, you’ll do great! Know what you need to wear ahead of time, plan your dancewear accordingly, and make sure your equipment is ready to support you—whether that’s your pointe shoes, muscles or vocal chords! Do your hair and makeup (if applicable) prior to your arrival so you enter the audition space ready to shine. Bonus tip: Don’t leave it all to your look. Presenting yourself well also means good posture, well-spoken answers and respect for instructors!

 

3. Be extra prepared

Being prepared for an audition goes without saying, but how can you go the extra mile? Directors love students who take the process seriously, so show your commitment by arriving with all of the applicable forms, resumes, headshots and fees completed, clean, and ready to turn in. Bonus tip: Make sure your headshots and resumes are current and up-to-date well in advance so you’re not scrambling at the last minute!

 

4. Ask questions

If something isn’t clear, ask for clarification! Confidence is key when it comes to any audition, so be sure you know exactly what’s expected of you or what’s being asked. Trust us… directors would rather take the time to answer your questions than see an easily avoidable misunderstanding, and so would you! Bonus tip: This goes for preparing for the audition and during the audition itself. Didn’t catch a step in the combo? Missed which count you’re starting on? Ask the instructor to repeat the instructions. Directors want to see you at your best, and ensuring you understand the assignment shows both personal responsibility and a commitment to excellence.

 

5. Have FUN!

Regardless of the outcome, all auditions should be fun. The process allows students of all ages to challenge themselves, experience themselves under pressure, and practice rising to the occasion as they figure out their own definition of success. Besides… if you’re not enjoying yourself, it will definitely show. Bonus tip: Let His light shine through you! As you’re heading to the studio, warming up and preparing to enter the audition room, spend some time in prayer with your favorite worship songs. While putting yourself out there can be scary, remember that He’ll be right beside you every step of the way, delighting in the work of His children. Give thanks for the opportunity and give Him all the glory no matter what happens!

Three Ways Dancers Can Make the Most of Spring Break

I know we all acknowledge the busyness of back to school, or the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but this time of year can be equally stressful, am I right? Graduations, summer trips and activities and end-of-semester events are coming up fast! For dancers, that also includes a Spring recital—with Peek Week, costumes, pictures, auditions and rehearsals all in between now and taking the stage for that final 2022-23 performance. It’s all a little overwhelming, right?

 Take a breath. Seriously, now’s the time to take a breath! Even God rested on the seventh day. Our doors will be closed March 26-April 1 for Spring Break, and we encourage all of our families and staff to regroup, turn our eyes upon Jesus, and prepare to take on the homestretch of this season rejuvenated! Easier said than done, right? Sitting still isn’t so easy for hard-working dancers. This week, we’ve got you covered! Read on to see why making the most of Spring Break is as easy as 1-2-3.

 1. Relax
Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still and know that He is God.” That’s it. Be still, and let God come close. Research shows that relaxation keeps your heart healthier, cuts stress, reduces muscle tension, improves brain function and memory, and helps you avoid anxiety. It also boosts your immune system and helps alleviate the symptoms of any injuries or illness you’ve been dancing through. Simply put, relaxing is important! Spend some time in quiet prayer, then give a few of these prompts a try:

●      Read your Bible—bonus points if you’re under a blanket and in your pajamas.

●      Listen to Worship music—not playing in the background of busyness. Be still and listen.

●      Find joy—let your brain relax and enjoy making time for a favorite hobby or activity.

 2. Refuel

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of the granola-bar-from-the-bottom-of-my-dance-bag diet these days. When our time and energy is stretched thin, odds are, we’re not taking the time to take care of our bodies. Enter Spring Break! Use this week away from the studio to keep your brain active, strengthen your bones, and nourish other body tissues simply by making smart food choices and resetting your healthy habits.

●      Try some new recipes! Spend your class time in the kitchen and try something new.

●      Stay hydrated! Don’t neglect your water bottles this week. Drink like you’re still in class!

●      Don’t forget the snacks! Just because you’re not dancing doesn’t mean your body’s not hard at work.

3. Recover

 Contrary to popular belief, taking a week off every now and then can actually improve your strength and training. Short breaks allow your muscles, tendons and ligaments to repair themselves! Assuming you’ve been consistent in giving it your all in class, Spring Break is the perfect time to recover before that final push toward recital. Find some balance in your time away by practicing active recovery… a happy medium between training hard and couch potato status.

●      Go for a walk or two throughout the week.

●      Stretch every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

●      Put on your favorite worship song and stay loose by practicing some improv dancing.

 Another great way to practice active recovery over Spring Break? Review and practice your recital choreography at home! We’ve all been hard at work in class, learning those final steps and counts to perfect these pieces. And while this week is an opportunity to recharge, we jump back into action with Spring Peek Week April 3-8! Students will receive their recital costumes and perform their dances for parents during the last 10 minutes of each class, so make sure you’re ready to go when the music starts again.

 Enjoy your week away… we’ll see you back in the studio Monday, April 3!

A Beginner’s Guide to Irish Step Dance

Next week we’ll commemorate the Feast of St. Patrick, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It’s a celebration chiefly hallmarked by parades, wearing green, shamrocks and Céilís—a traditional Irish folk dance performed by large groups. And with all the merriment surrounding the holiday, it’s easy to be inspired! Are your toes tapping already? Read on for a complete guide to Irish Step Dance, and find out why Turning Pointe Dance is the best place to learn Irish Step Dance in Colorado Springs.

 

What is Irish Step Dance?

 Irish Step Dance is a fun and fast-paced dance style that emphasizes the rhythms of beautiful celtic music with a unique technique all its own. Dancers execute intricate footwork while holding their upper bodies stiff and still in order to highlight the challenging precision of the steps. Originally developed as social dance in Ireland, today it can be enjoyed through formal performance and worldwide competitions as a solo or in groups of up to twenty or more trained dancers.

 The corpus of Irish Step Dance contains both soft shoe dances (the reel, the light-jig, and the slip-jig) as well as hard shoe dances which are percussive (the hornpipe, the treble-jig, and the traditional set dances). And while the origins are traced back to the mid 1800s, the traditional style saw a massive global renaissance after the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest catapulted Riverdance into a hugely successful theater production.

 

Why take Irish classes?

 The quickness of this unique style packs a punch for improving stamina, core stability, balance, posture and coordination. Plus, with a style so rich in tradition, there’s something to learn from the history of every step and nuance of technique. By learning Irish Step, you’re contributing to the preservation of Irish heritage and cultivating an appreciation for culture, music and dance around the world.

 Even if you’re already thriving in classes for other dance styles, dropping in on an Irish class or two (or enrolling in a six-week summer class!) can be a fun and challenging way to work on precision, footwork, quickness of movement and fine motor skills that will translate to improved quality in dance classes across the board.

 

Why Turning Pointe?

 Students in a Turning Pointe Irish Step Class will learn traditional Irish technique through warm up exercises, across the floor work, and traditional folk dances including the jig, reel and hornpipe, which all focus on very specific footwork. They’ll participate in group Ceilis, which develops teamwork skills and coordination. Students will also learn choreographed work that combines all the elements they learn within the class for our annual Spring recital each May.

 More than that, as a faith based center for the arts in Colorado Springs, Turning Pointe students are empowered with grit, grace, and gratitude for the arts and for His Kingdom. Students will learn from professional instructors and Godly role models who are YPAD certified and background checked. Our Irish Step students will learn from Ms. Lauren Shinnick, a regional champion in solo Irish Step competition, and a World champion in group. She has a passion for sharing the love of Christ, and the grace that is so graciously given to us through dance and teaching.

 

How to Get Started

 Ready to get started? Turning Pointe offers a six-week Summer Class Session from June 12-July 21, and registration is NOW OPEN! Click HERE for more information on our Summer Session, Mini Camps and Discover Dance Days, and stay tuned for information on Irish Step Dance classes during the 2023-24 school year.

 Need some more inspiration? Come support Turning Pointe’s Irish Step students at the City of Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade THIS SATURDAY, March 11, from 11:45-12:15 at the corner of Pikes Peak and Tejon!

Introducing: FYDC Missions

Since it was first created in 2014, Fidèle Youth Dance Company has worked to impact the community for His Kingdom through original, full-length and faith-based productions. As one of Turning Pointe’s two performing companies, they’ve worked to uphold the mission and values of the studio while providing pre-professional training and performance experience in a uniquely Christ-centered environment. With each successful year, the Lord has continued to build up every aspect of the company, growing every detail from cast size and production quality to ticket sales and worldwide creative partnerships that build a legacy of gospel-driven theater.

 This year, as FYDC prepares to embark on its 10th season, the Lord opened the door to expand their mission with a brand new division that will take the gospel beyond the community and into the world. Turning Pointe Dance and FYDC are proud to launch FYDC Missions, traveling to El Salvador, Vail, CO, and Colorado Springs in Spring 2024.

 

Turning Pointe Dance: What inspired FYDC Missions?

 Mimi McKinnis, Director, FYDC: We talked a lot last season about the character of “Faithful” in The Pilgrim’s Progress, and about how faith is something we need to pursue. It’s not something that will retain its strength if we don’t exercise it, and it won’t just fall in our lap. Heading into our 10th season, I was praying a lot about the company, about the next 10 years, and about our mission. Fidèle translates to “faithful.” So while the Lord has blessed us so much in growing this company into what it is today, I don’t want the next 10 years to rest on that growth and success, or go through the motions of doing what we always do. I want to answer the upward call of our faith and make a greater impact in His name. As the details of our 2023 season and production were falling into place, I met with Ms. Tina several times to share my heart and vision for what this could be. Lots of meetings and about a year or so later, FYDC Missions has officially launched!

 

TPD: What will each mission entail?

 Ms. Mimi: Each mission will consist of devotions and Worship Workshops, held in conjunction with a 30-40 minute performance of a separate traveling production. Our goal is to use the arts as a demonstration of His Kingdom around the world, and to show how beautifully the gospel and the arts can intertwine. Each workshop will include praise dance instruction, impactful improv and activities designed to encourage participants to engage with their Heavenly Father and creatively use the arts to serve Him with reverent honor. The performance will put those concepts on display, a lot like we’ve done with performances from our repertoire of worship pieces around the city. The traveling production will be a larger-scale version of those local outreach opportunities.

 

TPD: Where will you carry out missions this season?

 Ms. Mimi: We’re kicking off this division with three missions in the Spring of 2024. In addition to serving where our feet are and hosting a VBS-style camp right here in the city, we’ll be traveling to minister to students in Vail, Colorado, and spending the week of Spring Break in El Salvador—a trip that Turning Pointe carried out biannually before the pandemic derailed international travel. Ms. Tina and I are both excited to get this extension of both the studio and the company’s heart beating again!

 

TPD: So will everyone be expected to be on the Missions Team? How will this new division impact the rest of the production season?

 Ms. Mimi: The regular season will be business as usual. We’ll still hold Spring and Summer auditions, have Intensive Week in July, then rehearse Saturdays July through November, when we’ll stage our original adaptation of “Bring Her Home.” New and returning students can have that be their FYDC experience, and we’re thrilled to have them be a part! Students who want to apply for the FYDC Missions Team will fill out a separate application to turn in at their company audition, and missions training and performance rehearsals will begin after the holidays. So simply put, students of FYDC don’t have to join the Missions Team, but students who wish to join the Missions Team do need to participate in the regular season.

 

TPD: Why do students need to be in the production, too, instead of just signing up for missions?

 Ms. Mimi: Over our regular 17-week production season, we pour a lot into our students. We put on a powerful show in His name each year, but what we build in preparation is so much more than the end result. We assign students to prayer groups where they build relationships, encourage one another, and pray over their castmates throughout the season. We work through (and dance out) devotions and Biblical character studies. We work to cultivate hearts of worship from kickoff day to the final curtain. Each mission should shine His light to the best of our ability. Anything worth doing is worth doing well, right? By fostering a love of Christ, a love of the arts, and a spirit of unity in Him during the season, we’ll be better equipped with a stronger Missions Team to take His word into the world.

 

TPD: Besides participating in the regular season, what are the requirements for being on the Missions Team?

 Ms. Mimi: Students need to be 14 years old by the date of the production, this year by November 11, 2023. They also need to be enrolled in at least one class in Turning Pointe’s 2023-24 school year session for a few reasons. First, for health and safety purposes, this will ensure that we have the most up-to-date information on file for each student since the Missions season will take place after the regular FYDC season is over. Second, every Turning Pointe class incorporates prayer and a verse/devotional focus of the month. Not only does this keep Christ as the center of each class, but it creates a unified focus across all dance styles and skill levels. When we know what’s being poured into each student, we’re better prepared to pour out His word together—especially since we’ll no longer be together in weekly production rehearsals..

 

TPD: What impact do you hope to make with the launch of this new division?

 Ms. Mimi: We’re called to go forth and make disciples of all nations, so my prayer is that the impact will reflect that calling, from our own Team in our own city to children and aspiring artists around the world. By carrying out the traveling performance and worship workshops together, we can use our God-given gifts to transform the performing arts into a reflection of God’s creativity and give others the tools to do the same.

 For students on our Missions Team in particular, my prayer is that they’ll be built up as gospel-driven leaders, equipped to live with the conscious intention of using their gifts in the arts as a means of ministry. I want to provide them with the experience of working as Christ’s hands and feet in their communities and beyond, building authentic relationships with the people they serve and the teammates they serve alongside.

 

 TPD: Where can interested students find out more?

 Ms. Mimi: Everything is on our website at www.FideleYouthDanceCompany.com/Missions. We also have brochures with all the company information for 2023 at the Turning Pointe Dance front desk, or anyone can reach out to FideleYouthDanceCompany@gmail.com anytime! I also encourage everyone to follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) for the latest and greatest information. It’s a really fun and easy way to follow each season from start to stage to schools overseas!

A Beginner’s Guide to Musical Theater

Ah, the theater. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cheer, you'll sing; it's an artistic experience unlike any other. But how do you go from aspiring performer to Tony Award winner? Can you turn your classes into casting for your favorite show? We’ve got you covered. From Vaudeville to the modern stage, read on for all-things Musical Theater — and why Turning Pointe Dance offers the best options for Musical Theater training in Colorado Springs.

 What is Musical Theater?

 Musical Theater is a dramatic division of performance that conveys a story with acting, singing, dancing, and dialogue. Each character, lyric and line work to move the story forward, capturing the mood and emotional aspects of each production.

 Dating back to the European operas of the 18th century, theater performance has been captivating audiences for hundreds of years, with the Broadway productions we know and love taking hold of American culture in the early 1900s. Today, around 40 new shows premiere on Broadway in New York City each year, and many of the classics have been made into blockbuster motion pictures (with several more in the works).

 Why take Musical Theater classes?

 In addition to building self confidence and communication skills, Musical Theater classes can help produce a well-rounded performer, offering training in voice, acting, and dance. Students will learn and develop skills in a wide variety of movement and vocal styles, ensuring class is always interesting and fun.

 More than that, Musical Theater classes allow students to view music and the arts as a whole as a career, not just a hobby, and gain valuable life skills like speaking up, teamwork and physical stamina. By learning to memorize steps and lines, students also develop personal responsibility, and learn to be held accountable to their commitment by castmates and crew members.

Why Turning Pointe?

 1. Turning Pointe is a Christian-based dance studio that provides training opportunities for students through weekly classes, summer intensives and performances with its varied divisions. We offer year-round training through weekly classes in dance, acting and voice. Classes are available for students of all ages and levels, with school year classes offered September-May and a six-week summer series in June-July.

Our expansive curriculum, developed exclusively for Turning Pointe, is designed to give all performers at any point in their theater training a place to begin and to grow, and each Musical Theater Program class performs in either the annual recital or musical showcase.

2. Turning Pointe’s youth theater production company, Starz Theater Company, is designed to offer theatrical training, dance technique and vocal foundations in a safe environment that fosters personal growth in the world of the arts. Now in their 11th season, STARZ produces two large-scale musicals for performers ages 9-18, and two theater training intensives per year.

 The heart of Starz Theater Company is to build positive culture, uplifting community and bright futures as they strengthen well-rounded performers and young leaders who grasp an understanding of the power and purpose of the arts. They continue the vision of Turning Pointe Dance, which is to be a faith-based center for the arts in our community that empowers students with grit, grace and gratitude for the arts and for His Kingdom.

 At Turning Pointe, our long-term goal is to see students flourish in their gifts and be equipped to go into every man's world by training the whole person body, mind and spirit.

 

How to Get Started

 Ready to give it a try? While registration for Turning Pointe’s 2022-23 school-year session has closed, there are still plenty of ways to get started in Musical Theater TODAY.

●      Sign up for a class in our six-week Summer session, held June 12-July 21. Musical Theater classes include training for all abilities in voice, acting and dance, for students age 7 and up. Check out this Summer’s schedule at the link above… registration opens March 1!

●      Attend one of STARZ Theater’s Young Performer Summits, designed to be a place for students to strengthen their Triple Threat skills (singing, dancing and acting) and accelerate their growth as a performer.

●      Audition for STC’s production of “Frozen Jr.” April 21-22! On stage July 21-23, auditions for this production are open to students ages 8-18, and will consist of both vocal and dance tryouts. Not ready to audition just yet? Follow STC on social media for details on purchasing tickets to see the show and be inspired from the audience.

●      Looking for a smaller commitment for younger students? Aspiring performers ages 3-7 can get started with a three-day mini camp! These themed camps are the perfect way to give theater and dance a try in a fun, low-commitment environment. Students attend classes and participate in fun activities, then show off their new skills in a parent performance on the final day.

 Whether you’re gearing up for your 10th season on stage or still just a Broadway baby, there’s something for every stage of learning Musical Theater at Turning Pointe. To learn more, visit STARZTheater.org, or attend their informational meeting at Turning Pointe Dance this Saturday, February 25, at 11:15 a.m.

A Beginner’s Guide to Ballroom Dance

Have you ever found yourself glued to an episode of Dancing with the Stars thinking… boy, that looks like fun!? Or maybe you’re looking for a fresh way to spend date night or time with your family. Whether you’re wanting to expand your dance training to a new and challenging genre, looking for a fun social activity, or you’re just trying to master a few steps for a wedding or special event, we’re here to help. Consider this your complete guide to getting started in ballroom dancing — and why Turning Pointe Dance offers the best options for ballroom dancing in Colorado Springs.

 

What is Ballroom Dance?

 Ballroom is a partnered style of dancing, seen across social, competitive and formal settings. Partners dance together to perform predetermined step patterns that are characterized by the rhythm of the music and distinguished by various postures and techniques. One dancer is designated as the “leader,” while the other dances as the “follower.”

 Under the umbrella of traditional ballroom dancing, there are Smooth (or Standard) dances and Rhythm (or Latin) dances. In addition to subtle differences in technique, the Smooth dances are characterized by their effortless travel across the dance floor while maintaining a closed dance position, and are typically more elegant in style. Rhythm dances are generally performed with smaller steps onto straight legs, with the use of open dance holds and flashier movements.

 

Why take Ballroom class?

 For beginners and pros alike, ballroom dancing can be a great way to let loose and groove to some music with partners and friends alike. It stimulates your brain, improves flexibility, balance, coordination and memory, and did we mention it’s SO much fun?! Taking a ballroom dance class can add exercise, social activity and stress relief to your week, all while building the skills of teamwork, communication and step/movement retention.

 And why leave it to the new students? Dancers who are already thriving in other classes can benefit from adding ballroom classes, too. Some of the most famous ballets include a pas de deux (or duet), and ballroom is a great place to build those partnering skills in a fun environment. Is musical theater your thing? Nearly every Broadway musical features a style of Ballroom dance, from the prominent Salsa dancing of In the Heights and Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango,” to West Side Story’s “Dance at the Gym” Mambo, or Hairspray’s swing dancing and “Miss Baltimore Crabs” “rock-step-cha-cha-cha.” If you’re looking to meet a requirement with an elective class, build your performing resume or just want to try something new and fun, you can do it all with a ballroom class.

 

Why Turning Pointe?

 1. Turning Pointe Dance is Colorado Springs’ premier faith-based dance studio, committed to providing excellence in dance and theater instruction while cultivating hearts of worship and nurturing creativity. Each of our dance classes incorporate prayer and verse of the month, keeping the focus of class time on the Lord. Ballroom students at Turning Pointe won’t just learn how to lead and follow within traditional ballroom technique, but also how the Lord leads each of us if we’ll only learn to hear our Leader’s cues and practice being a strong follower. Partner dancing can be scary. At Turning Pointe, we encourage students to dance with the Father as we teach partnering in a modest and appropriate way.

 2. Turning Pointe offers three ways to try ballroom dancing. Our school year session class gives students the opportunity to perform in the Spring recital, while solo lessons offer individual, one-on-one instruction with a professional teacher. If either of those options are a little too daunting, students can set up their own small group class with friends and family to meet with an instructor on a regular basis, or in preparation for a wedding or event.

 Regardless of the method you choose, Turning Pointe’s ballroom students begin by learning the step patterns and techniques for the six basic ballroom dances: Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango (Smooth); Cha-Cha, Rhumba and East Coast Swing (Rhythm). Other dances can be requested for solo and small group lessons, or will be taught after the appropriate skill progression in class.

 

How to Get Started
Are you or your student ready to give ballroom dancing a try? While registration for the 2022-23 school year session has closed, there are still plenty of ways to get started! Email a member of our front desk team at info@turningpointeschoolofdance.com to set up an introductory or recurring solo lesson, or set up a small group session with some of your closest friends and family members. Once you’re hooked, you can sign up for the 2023-24 school year session beginning June 1!

Why Dance at Turning Pointe?

New years always seem to bring about big decisions—from new commitments to schedule changes, new activities, and the way we’ve resolved to spend our time. And let’s face it… there’s a lot of options out there for 2023. But if you’ve decided to give dance a try this year, or even this fall or over the summer, well… there’s still a lot of options out there. Let us help you narrow it down with a countdown of our five favorite reasons to call Turning Pointe “home!”

 

5. You’ll receive quality instruction

 Turning Pointe Dance has developed and implemented a progressive curriculum designed to develop each student’s abilities at a safe and productive pace. Each level progresses through its applicable monthly skills, encouraging and instructing students to meet targets in technique, concepts and etiquette.

 In addition, Turning Pointe Dance is YPAD (Youth Protection Advocates in Dance) Certified, meaning our staff receives training, testing and opportunities for continued dance education and professional development to protect and develop a healthy and safe studio environment. Our instructors are background checked and First Aid/CPR certified, and serve as mentors, leaders, and role models in and out of the classroom.

 

4. You have options

 Whether you’re an aspiring professional or just looking for a few nights a week to engage in movement and activity, Turning Pointe has an option for you. Our classes begin as early as preschool with a Twirl Division developed to introduce a balance of focus and fun, spatial awareness, flexibility, coordination, balance, expression, and music. Our Enrichment/Recreation Divisions instill our carefully instructed curriculum with an in-studio performance at Christmas time, and a formal recital in May. Our Training Division teaches structured pre-professional development in classical ballet, while our Musical Theater division, Youth Performers Summits and STARZ Theater Company work to develop the next generation of Broadway performers.

 Looking for a smaller commitment? Younger students can sign up for a mini camp or Discover Dance workshop, while more advanced students can take on a leaps and turns or non-recital technique class. Turning Pointe offers development and instruction for students age 2 to adult in the styles of pointe, Irish, hip hop, jazz, Acro, contemporary, modern, tap, worship, ballroom dancing, hula and so much more. Our 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!

 

3. We’re a Safer Studio™ 

 Turning Pointe Dance focuses on a hierarchy of measures to create a Safer Studio™ environment, beginning with requiring all students and staff who are ill to stay home, followed by frequent hand cleaning, good hygiene practices, amplified cleaning, and making circular and facility adaptations to minimize the spread of germs. Our staff is held to a standard that supports our mission and core values, including best practices regarding viewing windows, social media use and keeping the studio secure.

 We aim to help our students achieve excellence in dance and in life. That is our More Than Just Great Dancing® philosophy, and at this time in history, it’s more important than ever before. Dance meets the imperative student needs for community, socialization, friendship, mentors, physical activity and more. Our friendly and faith-centered environment allows each and every student to safely experience all that dance has to offer, including intellectual and academic development, and social-emotional and physical support.

 

2. We’ve Proven Ourselves in Our Community

 We know this city offers plenty of choices, but only one was voted “Best of the Springs” for eight of the last nine years. Each year, the Colorado Springs Gazette opens voting to determine the best of the best in a variety of categories, and we’re honored to have been voted as the gold standard in Dance Studio for Adults, and Dance Studio for Kids the last seven straight years.

 Voting is NOW OPEN for 2023, and we’re honored to be nominated as Best Dance Studio for Kids, Best Dance Studio for Adults, Best Musical (Beauty and the Beast), Best Musical (The Music Man), and Best Theater Company (STARZ Theater Company). We are committed to providing excellence in dance and theater instruction, and look forward to serving the city for many years to come.

1. We’re proud to be Colorado Springs’ premiere faith-based studio

 Our vision is to be a faith-based center for the arts in our community that empowers students with grit, grace, and gratitude for the arts and for His Kingdom. Our long-term goal is to see our students flourish in their gifts and be equipped to go into every man’s world by training the whole person body, mind, and spirit. We use Christian and inspirational music throughout our classes and choose music that fits both the wholeness of our endeavor and the culture we are trying to create (which reaches beyond just dancing). We carefully choose costumes that are age appropriate, beautiful but appropriately modest, yet fun that both parents and children love, and our choreography is appropriate for audiences and dancers of any age. Our professional staff members are great Godly role models for students, and each of our dance classes incorporate prayer and verse of the month, keeping the focus of class time on the Lord.

 More than anything, we encourage you to come and experience the JOY at Turning Pointe! Your last day to register for the 2022-23 school year session is January 31, so drop into any class this week as a free trial to see the Turning Pointe difference for yourself! (Just be sure to check in with the front desk first!)

 Discover Dance Days kick off in April, along with registration for all of our summer classes and camps. Thinking ahead to the 2023-24 school year? Fast track registration for fall classes begins June 15!