October: Cultivate

The second month of school-year dance classes can be challenging. Sure, just getting in the door takes bravery, but once you’re past the excitement of newness and Fall Peek Week, you find yourself deep in the throes of early syllabus work, technique training, and breaking down all the steps you’re building toward. The spotlights can seem so far away from the barre. But I’ve got news for you! That’s exactly when and where your dance can grow the most—and exactly why we’re studying the devotional prompts of “Cultivate” through Ezekiel 36:34:

 “The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it.”

 It’s hard to connect your dreams to those in-class drills when you can’t see the path from one to the other. But just like in any dream, God is working—even when we can’t see it! Dreams become decisions when you cultivate them. Did you know that Ms. Tina couldn’t always see the path forward for Turning Pointe? Especially after He planted the dream in her heart, then called her to a college… without dance.

 “My heart had been so moved seeing Ballet Magnificat in high school, and seeing how dance and faith could be used together,” she said. “My plan, and what made sense, was to major in dance in college and be a light in the darkness. I was going to pioneer dance and faith! Let’s GO! But it was not time. God had other plans for me in that season. So I was mad.”

 Seasons of cultivation aren’t usually known for being loads of fun. In fact, to cultivate means to work. It’s a pre-planting season of active preparation, be it testing the ground, breaking up the parts of hard dirt that need to be loosened, or adjusting the soil’s nutrients. It can seem like a lot of fuss over some dirt for seeds that haven’t even been planted yet—just like basic technique drills can seem tedious when you’re dreaming of leaps and turns. But all that hard work pays off with a healthy harvest, and the same is true for your dancing. And the same was true for Turning Pointe!

 “At the time, it felt like I was having to let this dream and passion die,” Ms. Tina said. “And you know what? That is exactly how God was cultivating my heart. He wanted me to dig in—to pay attention. Who is this dream really for? Is dance more important than God? These were all questions I was faced with one night when I was so desperate for an answer. That night in my dorm room on my knees, I came to the humble and vulnerable place where I told God, ‘Lord, if I NEVER dance again, I will praise you. If I never teach dance or if this dream is never fulfilled, I will live my life to worship you. This dream belongs to you. I surrender.’”

 Dreaming was never meant to be easy. Ecclesiastes 5:3 tells us that “a dream comes with much business.” That itch in your heart to dance for something greater was put there for a reason—but it’s impossible to fulfill on your own. Why? Our dreams are meant to point us to Christ and to magnify him.

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  — John 15:5

 So in this season of cultivation, let’s make sure we’re planting our dreams at the foot of the cross. Dance is worth failing a few times and growing from lessons learned. It’s worth taking a risk when everyone else seems to be safe, or spending extra time and care when others seemingly zoom up the ranks. It is worth it because in pursuing it, you will know the Lord more deeply.

 “Friends, the cultivation of the dream was not easy,” Ms. Tina said. “The digging in, the paying attention, getting that soil of my heart ready—it was painful. Surrender has been a daily process for all these years. And I can still say (this time with hope and complete trust), ‘God, this dream belongs to you. I surrender.’ And now with confidence I can say, even when I don’t understand or when it’s hard, I can say ‘yes’ to Him. I’m thankful for the process. I’m thankful that He lovingly cultivates our hearts and makes them ready to receive what He has promised.”

Choosing a Dance Class That’s Right for You

SO, you’ve decided to take a dance class! Or maybe you’ve been dancing for years, but you’re looking for a new challenge, a new set of skills to round out your resume, or a class to add to support your other classes. Either way (and anything in between), choosing the right dance class can be a tricky endeavor. But don’t worry. We’re here to help! Keep reading for five easy steps to choosing a dance class that’s right for you—and why Turning Pointe Dance is the perfect place to start dancing in Colorado Springs!

 Step 1: Determine your goals

 Are you going for a triple-threat resume of singing, dancing and acting? Are you preparing for a specific audition? Maybe you’re trying to stay active and fit, or rekindle the love you found at the barre years ago. There are so many wonderful reasons to dance. Knowing yours will set the tone for your class schedule! Make sure the classes you take support your reason for dancing—even if that reason is simply to have fun!

 Step 2: Consider All Styles

 So often when we think of dance, we think of ballet and jazz. But let’s face it, those styles aren’t for everyone! If classical ballet supports your goals in the studio, great! Just try not to stop at the traditional options without exploring other classes that might better meet your needs. At Turning Pointe Dance, we offer quality instruction in a wide range of dance disciplines, from ballroom to Irish, musical theater, tap, modern, hip hop, contemporary, jazz, worship—even hula! We even offer non-recital classes like ballet technique or leaps and turns. Whatever your goals, we have a class to help you achieve it.

 Step 3: Check the Details

 Now that steps one and two have narrowed things down a bit, it’s time to get into the details and make sure the class you have your eye on aligns with your age, ability, and schedule. Some advanced classes require teacher permission to enroll. If that’s the case, Turning Pointe students can attend a placement day, or arrange an evaluation for placement at the front desk. If there’s a class you’d love to take that doesn’t work with your schedule, ask a member of our staff for help—they can recommend a similar class! Whatever your questions you have or assistance you need, our knowledgeable and friendly staff is here to help.

 Step 4: Give it a Try

 Sometimes things look good on paper, but the class simply isn’t for us. Or sometimes we find a class we don’t think we’ll enjoy, but it turns out to be a blast! That’s why it’s important to give each class a try. You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, right? So try as many classes and styles as you wish before choosing. Dance is an active and engaging art. The best way to experience it is to actively engage! To help you with this, Turning Pointe Dance offers several Free Trial Weeks throughout the year, and keeps registration for school year session classes open through January 31.

 Step 5: Pray About It!

 As Colorado Springs’ premiere faith-based dance studio, we encourage a prayerful approach to anyone considering new classes. Are you on the fence about trying a class? Pray about it! Not sure if one of your dance classes is right for you? Pray about it! Your creator knows you better than anyone else. Invite Him into the decision process, and open your heart to the ways in which He will work through the gifts and talents He gave you.

 Need some more help? Check out our quick reference for dance genres, class descriptions and options for pathways in dance here. Then mark your calendar… our next free trial week starts December 11!

How to Prepare for Your Dance or Theater Audition

With Psalm 85 as our guide, this month our classes have been focusing on the word “prepare.” New dance years bring about new goals, and we’re working to prepare our hearts for His plans. Of course, new goals also bring about new sets of nerves! If you’re making plans to audition for any of our companies and programs this year, we’re here to help. While we’ve already gone over our top five tips for a successful audition, this week, our directors offer their best tips and tricks of the trade to help you prepare for your dance or theater audition.

Sara Murdaugh, Director, Training Division/Pointe Program: 

“For the Training Division, attend your weekly class(es) consistently and with focus. Come to the audition as if ready for ballet class—leotard, tights, shoes, hair in a bun, water bottle. Know when essays are due and when results will be out; read the material on the website and ask questions. Give yourself grace when you don't know something and celebrate when you do well!


To prepare for your pointe evaluation, attend your twice weekly classes and pre-pointe with consistency and attention to improvement. Just like Training, come to the audition as if ready for ballet class—leotard, tights, shoes, hair in a bun, water bottle. Come early to warm up, read your emails and mark calendars! Know that everyone's journey toward pointe is different and that's ok!”

Mimi McKinnis, Director, FYDC:

“The best thing you can do before any audition is to make sure you’re prepared. There’s nothing worse for your nerves than surprises! Everything you’ll need to know should be posted or communicated ahead of time, so be sure to read everything thoroughly. If you’re asked to wear a certain type of dance wear, make sure you do it! If you’re asked to bring items like forms, headshots and resumes, make sure you do it! Showing that you can take responsibility for requirements and follow directions can be just as important as your physical ability. 


But most of all, make sure you’ve invited God into the audition with you, whether that’s by praying alone, praying with friends or just listening to worship music as you warm up. In FYDC, we want to be sure we’re shining His light, and that His presence is felt by our audience. We want to make an impact in His name, not make a name for ourselves, and that starts with the audition process. Do your very best and enjoy the experience, but know that He is working in ways we can’t always see, through roles we might not always see ourselves in. As with any dance or theater production, each performer is a part of a much bigger picture, so make a way for Him to move through you! Count it all joy, even if you’re disappointed or frustrated, and give Him the glory through every part of the process.”

Laura Bergen, Artistic Director, STARZ Theater Company:

“One thing I encourage all students to do when it comes to auditioning is to remember that this is just an opportunity for you to share your love of singing, dancing and acting with the Creative Team for the show. For up to 90-seconds, that stage is all yours and you are in the spotlight!  Let yourself have fun and make it the greatest show! When we take the pressure off of ourselves that there's something to prove, earn or achieve and instead let our audition showcase our love of storytelling, singing or dancing, the entire mindset surrounding an audition process can change.  


A STARZ Theater Company audition is 90 seconds to do what you love and show us how it fills you with joy. As someone who regularly sits on audition panels, I can assure you everyone on our panel is cheering for you and, regardless of how things play out on a cast list, we are enormously proud of you!”

Taylor Ellen, Training Division/Pointe Program:

“To prepare for a Training audition, confidence is key! Whatever you do, do it confidently, even if you mess up! This is great to practice in any class, but especially as you prepare for an audition. 


To prepare for your pointe evaluation, make sure you come early enough to warm up all your muscles! A lot of the evaluation is very slow and controlled movement that’s repeated several times, so making sure everything is fully warm is important to help you and your body do its best work.”


Abbie Van Horn, Leadership Assistant, Fidéle Youth Dance Company:

“Having been a part of Fidéle for three years, and now as Leadership Assistant, I have learned a lot about auditioning for a dance company! My first and most important piece of advice is: PRAY over your audition! Fidéle is all about performing for our audience of One. As the company verse states, "Not to us, Lord, but to you alone, be the glory forever and ever." If you get nervous over an audition, this is a great way to help with that. It takes the pressure off of you and lets God set the tone. 


Secondly, be confident in what you bring to the table and start preparing early—even if you are unsure about any part of your audition. Don't be afraid to try something new. Fidéle auditions are not a competition! They are poured over in prayer, and you are seen as a whole person in our community. Since our performances are first and foremost worship to our King, we want them to be excellent for Him. So try your best! If not everything is going right for you on audition day, don't worry! Ms. Mimi can see the difference between an off day and a lack of technique. It is more important to see your heart than a perfect triple pirouette. So if you audition, pray, be confident, prepare early, and try something new! Do your best, trust God with the rest!”

Jenna Moore, Lead, STARZ Rising & All STARZ:

“Auditions can be nerve wracking and intense, but my best advise is to remember that the people you are auditioning for are most of the time on your side and are cheering for you!! My favorite thing to do before an audition is to listen to worship music and close my eyes. Practice before you get to the audition, and then worry about warming up and getting in the right headspace when you get there. You got this!!”

Welcome to Season 20 at Turning Pointe Dance!

Hello, Turning Pointe students and families!

 We’re thrilled to have you with us for the 2023-24 dance year, and incredibly blessed to be celebrating our 20th year of operation this season. Whether you’re enrolled in your first class or camp with us this year, or you’ve been involved for all 20, we’re so glad you’re here! The Lord has done some amazing things within this space, and we can’t wait to see how He moves in this special anniversary season.

 With a brand new session of classes now under way, our amazing teachers and staff are hard at work, pouring into lesson plans, curriculum notes and recital details. Each month, they’ll also share and focus on a devotional word and passage of scripture, uniting us in our mission to praise His name with dance in every single class. This season our words take us from preparation to harvest as we celebrate the abundance He’s provided through 20 years rooted in Him.

 September: Prepare

“The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”   — Psalm 85:12-13

 This month’s verses tell us that God’s righteousness prepares the way for His action. And even when His actions don’t make sense to us, we can still trust Him with our hopes and dreams because we know that God’s ways are always right—His ways are always built on a foundation of righteousness. When we’re in the preparation stage of a project, our role is to steward our dreams for His glory, and prepare for a way with Him.

 God began preparing for Turning Pointe Dance when Ms. Tina was just 8 years old.

 “I remember being in class and my teacher called me out and had me demonstrate something to the class and then told me that I was going to be a dance teacher and work at her studio someday,” she said. “That was the first time that I remember someone (besides my parents) speaking into my life and calling something out in me that I didn’t even see in myself yet. So I grabbed hold of that encouragement and held tightly to those words.”

 Continuing to dance through her school years, at the end of high school, Ms. Tina witnessed a performance by Ballet Magnificat! — a professional Christian ballet company founded in Mississippi.

 “It was a major ‘A-ha!’ moment for me seeing dance and faith TOGETHER with excellence,” she remembered. “My dream began to grow, but it wasn’t time to take the first steps just yet.”

 After college and marriage, and with the start of her family on the way, God reminded her of the dream He had planted so many years ago, and one He had continued to cultivate through each plie, performance and plan.

“God reminded me of my dream that dance could be done differently—that faith and the arts could work together to produce something beautiful,” Tina said. “I got out my journal and started writing ideas of where I could potentially offer dance classes, what the class structure would look like, what the dress code would be, how much I could charge, how I could market and spread the word. After looking at all my notes, I felt peace about taking the first step. Maybe this is the time to start some after school dance classes on the side.”

 “Something had been planted in my heart during that Ballet Magnificat! performance so many years earlier,” she continued. “Christian dance and Christian dance studios were not really in existence 20 years ago, so there was no roadmap or guidebook for how to do this. I just knew that if I was going to launch dance classes on my own, I wanted it to be with Jesus as the center. So with no roadmaps, no Christian dance mentors (remember no one was doing this at the time), no lawyer, and no working capital—I started a business.”

 In September 2004, Ms. Tina started teaching five faith-based dance classes per week at Colorado Springs Christian School, Handprints Preschool, and their cottage program. In September 2023, more than 1,300 class units were filled by nearly 800 students at Turning Pointe School of Dance.

 “God was preparing me all of those years for this dream,” Tina said. “It didn’t happen when I thought it would though—there was more that needed to be cultivated in my heart.”

 God sees every day of your entire life, from the first day to the last, as important. He is caring for you right now, and is already setting plans for your life 10, 20, and 50 years from now. Whatever brought you through our doors this season, and whatever your reasons for enrolling in dance, God cares even more than you do what becomes of your life because He loves you SO much. As we prepare for the classes, peek weeks and performances this year will bring, and as you prepare to take on your classes at Turning Pointe, remember: His plans are already in motion

Performance Prep 101: How to LOVE Recital Week!

It’s here! As we prepare for our spring performances at Turning Pointe Dance, you might be asking yourself: “Why do we have a recital?” Even though it adds tasks to your plate and takes up some time, the answer is as simple as 1, 2, 3…

 1. We are dancing on stage because we are learning a performing art! Performing is a big part of dance, and we’re learning and practicing that piece in addition to all of the other aspects.

 2. We are dancing on stage because it’s FUN to get all dressed up and perform! Costumes are part of what creates the whole picture of a performance, and part of learning to dance is learning to put it all together, from hair to shoes!

 3. We are dancing on stage to show our family and friends what we’ve learned, and inviting them to celebrate with us.

 And while all of these reasons might be true, at Turning Pointe Dance, we dance for a greater purpose.

 “My soul magnifies the Lord.” —  Luke 1:46.

 At Turning Pointe recitals, our hope is that all of our dancers will be big lights that shine for Jesus. We want to glorify God through our bodies, praise His name with dancing, and present the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ on stage. Of course all of our dancers will look lovely 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 let’s make sure this week is filled with JOY! It’s a celebration of praise, afterall. Read on for a few tips to help you prepare for your performances, as we ALL prepare to shine His light throughout the auditorium!

 

1. Plan Ahead
Make sure you know when you’re supposed to arrive, and plan ahead for any naps, snacks, traffic possibilities, hair/makeup prep, and warmup/stretching time needed. You know your body or your dancer better than anyone… make sure you’re setting yourself up for success on stage instead of scrambling! And this doesn’t just go for recital day… are you performing on Sunday? Maybe skip the fourteener Saturday morning, and opt for a restful day instead. Take care of yourself, make good choices, and get a good night’s sleep.

 

2. Prepare at Home
Once you arrive at the auditorium, things will be all-systems-go, with plenty of distractions. Before you head out the door, be sure to block out some time to pray, worship, and go over your dance (or dances!). Trust us… the first time you hear the music or think of your steps shouldn’t be in front of an audience! Find a happy, quiet and comfortable place at home, give Him all the glory, and practice everything a few times before the craziness of the moment.

 

3. Review the Info
There’s a lot to keep track of this week, but we’ve got it all on one convenient page. Head over to the All About Recital page on our website for a quick reference guide, complete with the hair, tights and shoes needed for each class, the Recital Handbook, and information on tickets and keepsakes, like pictures, flowers, recital bunnies and performance videos (DVD, Blu-ray and digital).

 A big part of the dance training process includes learning through performance. The experience helps build self-esteem and confidence! On-stage experience (no matter how big or small) can also result in better school presentations, improved social skills, and strong interview skills for future college or job opportunities.

 Participating in rehearsals helps children develop retention skills, teamwork, and adaptability. They’ve put in the work all year long, and we’ve worked to clarify what is required in terms of commitments and responsibility, all in order to make this spring recital week a great experience for students, teachers, parents, tech crew, and audience members alike. We’re going to have a GREAT weekend and we look forward to sharing it with you!

All About Preschool Dance

A parent’s work is never done, am I right? Even though it’s barely May, we’re already busy making plans and preparations for 2023-24 school year activities, and making sure we’re registered and ready to go when opportunities open and quickly fill up. And while swimming, gymnastics and soccer are all popular choices, including dance in your child’s schedule can be as beneficial as it is fun! Read on to learn all about our Twirl classes — and why Turning Pointe Dance is the best studio for preschool dance in Colorado Springs.

 

What is preschool dance?

 We know what you’re thinking: Is my child going to learn REAL dance or just spin around and play dress up? Will they get anything out of a preschool dance class? The answer is—both! At Turning Pointe, our goal is that preschool dancers have FUN, and learn to love dancing… that’s what keeps them coming back to learn more and more as they grow and improve! At the same time, we want our littlest preschool dancers to learn ballet basics and simple dance terminology, mixed with creative movement and props to spark their imaginations.

 

My child is shy or gets easily overwhelmed. What if he/she won’t go into class?

 We get this a lot – and it’s completely normal! There may be a few tears at first, but usually once they start dancing, they quickly forget their troubles and have so much fun. If they continue to cry or stay upset for more than a few minutes, we’ll bring them to you. We know this takes trust on your part, but at Turning Pointe, Twirl parents can know that their dancers are in a loving and encouraging environment. Our Godly role models and well-trained staff will do their very best to make everyone feel comfortable and secure!

 That said, don't be discouraged if all your dancer does is watch class and not move/dance at all during the first few weeks. Some students just need to see what we're doing and think about it at home before they’re ready to jump in and join! Some students take longer to warm up than others, and that is perfectly fine with us. We love giving them the space to feel comfortable and grow in their confidence!

 

My child may have some separation anxiety. Can I sit in the classroom?

 Having some anxiety about being away from mom or dad is completely normal. Our goal for the little ones is to get them ready for a classroom setting that they will have in preschool or church: learning to follow directions, listening to the teacher, being aware of others, taking turns, sharing, and building confidence. These are all important goals in their development, along with our dance goals! If a child is consistently having a hard time being away from mom or dad, it may be a good idea to wait and try again when they are ready.

 Our policy also limits distractions that often change children's behavior, such as having an audience, or wondering why some parents are present and not others. We want to help our students practice the habit of attention, and most of our Twirl dancers are still learning. So the more we limit distractions, the more dancing, learning, and fun we'll have together!

 

How can I set my child up for success in preschool dance?

 Being on time to class is KEY! If a student walks in late and the class has already started, it can be harder for them to walk in and join on their own, and it's also disruptive to the class when the door is opening and closing. Being a few minutes early will also give you time to take them potty and get their shoes on so they are ready for class.

 Talk to your child about what dance class is; look up some children’s dance videos on YouTube (find videos of polished performances, AND ones taken during class, with the camera angle set low, from a child’s perspective, if you can). Encourage your dancer to line up outside their class door (even if they are holding your hand) and be ready to walk into the classroom when the teacher opens the door for class. And don’t forget to label each of their shoes with their name!

 

Why take preschool dance class at Turning Pointe?

 Students in Turning Pointe’s preschool classes (the Twirl program) will be introduced to the basic dance terminology of ballet. We balance focus and fun while learning spatial awareness, flexibility, coordination, balance, expression, and hearing music, all while exploring the joy of movement and worshiping God. They’ll have a monthly Bible verse and fruit of the spirit to focus on as they learn to use the gifts God’s given them for His glory! We have parent peek weeks twice each year to show the progress being made in each class, all leading up to a one-of-a-kind Red Carpet Recital Experience.

 Because of our Twirl Director and Twirl instructors’ knowledge of child development, and their experience with teaching this age group, our program is one of the most well-balanced, age-appropriate dance programs you’ll find in Colorado Springs. That’s why we’ve been voted Best of the Springs Gold in Dance Studio for Kids for nine of the last 10 years!

 More than that, Turning Pointe’s Twirl program gives you options. From Twirl Babies, starting at just 2 years old, to Twirl Ballet and Twirl Combo (ballet and tap), Twirl Showtime for musical theater, and even Twirl Hippity Hop for the littlest movers and shakers.

 Still not sure if your child is ready for a preschool dance class? Come to one of our Twirl Summer Mini Camps! Created for students ages 3-7, these three-day camps are a great way to introduce our classes and instructors to students trying dance for the very first time. Each camp includes your child’s favorite characters to inspire students as they dance, create crafts and do other fun activities. There’s even a parent performance at the end of each one!

 Email info@turningpointeschoolofdance.com to sign up for summer camp, schedule a tour of our facility, ask plenty of questions, and prepare for fall 2023-24 class sessions. Registration opens July 15!