December: Nourish

Our Heavenly Father is many things.

 This time of year, the Christmas story reminds us His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. Our favorite carols play and remind us that He is the Everlasting Father, Emmanuel, Holy One, Son of God, and the Savior of the world. But long before those verses we read in Luke each year, in one of the very first passages of scripture, we are introduced to our Father in Eden—a gardener, hands in the dirt, breathing the world into existence. He is a nurturer of all life, a protector and planter, a designer, keeper, and pruner concerned with life’s flourishing. Have you ever considered what such an identity of God might mean to you? Or to the world around you? Or to Turning Pointe?

 This month as a studio, following our trajectory of planting and growing, we’re studying the word “nourish,” along with Deuteronomy 32:13:

 “He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him with the fruit of the fields.  He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag.”

 Nourishment is the foundational catalyst, and a necessary prerequisite for growth. Without nourishment, growth is stunted, or halted altogether. Just as a plant needs sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow, humans also rely on nourishment to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

 “When I think of the word nourish, I think of providing for something—things that support and maintain so something can grow,” Turning Pointe owner Tina Cook said. “Over the years, Turning Pointe has had many key people that have nourished the seeds. They have brought water and sunshine and believed in something that maybe they didn’t see yet.”

 In the chaos of the holiday season, it’s easy to think we need to handle everything—the cooking, the cleaning, the presents, the magic. The same is true in our everyday lives, and in our dancing. But the thing is, every garden needs a gardener, and ours made new the broken world. He took the chaos of the cosmos and turned it into a beautiful paradise. He will provide the nourishment we need to grow and the gifts we need to help us thrive again and again, even after the harshest winters.

 “A lot of that nourishing season (for the studio) was learning what our lane is, what our mission is, and discerning what God was calling THIS studio to be,” Cook said. “It was learning what ideas to let grow and what ideas were weeds that we needed to let go. I’m grateful for the people God has brought in the many seasons of this dream’s growth to nourish not only the dream, but me.”

 When we lean on the Lord to be our provider, and allow Him to nourish the gardens of our hearts, we steward our lives for His glory. When we allow the helpers He’s provided to care for each other, we’re nourishing the whole body of Christ.

 “We don’t grow on our own,” Cook said. “The fruit from our lives flows from thousands of acts of love and faithfulness from others. There are so many who tend to the soil of our hearts and who help our roots grow deep. Who is a source of nourishment in your life? Thank them today for their investment and care.”

November: Sow

A seed is full of potential.

 What may look like just a small spec is a vessel that already holds everything it will become, from trees to flowers or fruits and vegetables. But before they take their final form, a seed must be sown, and that process is much less glamorous than the end result. Afterall, it’s just putting a spec in the dirt—The beautiful blooms come much later. But in order to grow, you have to sow. Sound familiar? It’s just like how a final performance actually starts with plies at the barre! Planting a seed results in eventual harvest, and practicing your basic technique is actually an investment in your future on stage—which is why we, as a studio, have been studying the devotional prompt of “Sow,” along with Psalm 126:5-6, this month.

 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”   — Psalm 126:5-6

 For Turning Pointe, the humble planting season was wallets of CDs and velcro dottie spotties on carpeted floors.

 “The first year I offered two preschool dance classes and three ballet classes for different ages all with worship incorporated through song and dance,” Turning Pointe owner Tina Cook said. “Our dance studios were the preschool classrooms, a room at Pulpit Rock Church, and the Lion’s Den ‘gym’ at CSCS Elementary. We danced on carpet and a cement gym floor, there were no mirrors, and used chairs for our ballet barres.”

 The fruit that comes out of the seed is the “glory” of that seed. In other words, its truest, fullest form. Carrots start as tiny seeds that are resurrected from the ground in full glory. Dreams are also resurrected in glory. Jesus was resurrected in glory, and we will be resurrected in glory.

 We are called to faithfully sow our seeds as unto him, investing in His Kingdom. As we are faithful, the Bible says that He is ready to give us an abundant harvest. So don’t give up! Even if a new skill seems too hard, or if choreography feels overwhelming. Just like a seed, full of potential, God’s plan for you is already in motion, and the harvest is coming! When your plies at the barre seem tedious or unnecessary, just remember that He is working—and you’re investing in your God-given dreams.

 Twenty years ago, Ms. Tina carefully planted the seed of Turning Pointe at His feet, and God took that dream from its humble beginning—and its first recital showcasing 50 students at CSCS—and grew it into the 10-event, 900+ student showcase we’re working toward this season.

 “In gardening and in life, for something to grow, you have to sow,” Cook said. “What sowing looked like for Turning Pointe in those first few years was parents planting seeds of belief in my vision and encouraging me to keep going. It looked like planting seeds of trust, even though we didn’t have the fancy ballet barres or mirrors yet, knowing that God would provide. It looked like planting lots of seeds of time to create a program, choreography, and do all of the administrative and business tasks on my own. It looked like planting seeds of connection with families and loving and encouraging them each time I had the opportunity.”

 The seeds of your dreams matter. The seed of your very life matters. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of sowing the seeds of the Gospel. Our techniques, talents, education, and eloquence are not what are important. Our willingness to sow is what matters. That is our part, our privilege, our calling. As we move through this season of devotions together, are you sitting or sowing? You have in your hands the seeds of life… let’s dance through it, hand-in-hand with Him.

 

Raising the Flag

Fidèle Youth Dance Company to finish 10th season with the stage premiere of “Bring Her Home”

 It all started with a 310-page PDF.

 “I got to read ‘Bring Her Home’ as a rough draft, and I was immediately excited to bring it to the stage,” Fidèle Youth Dance Company Director Mimi McKinnis said.

 This weekend, FYDC will perform its 10th annual production at the Wasson Academic Campus Auditorium, bringing Australian author Hannah Currie’s take on “The Prodigal Son” to life through ballet, worship and, for the first time, ballroom dance. Another first for the company? A royal love story, complete with plenty of sword-fighting knights, secret-keeping princesses and feuding kingdoms to keep audience members on the edge of their seats.

 “I love that we’re still coming up with new ways to show His message on stage,” McKinnis, who has served as director since the company’s inception, said. “That’s not an easy feat after creating a decade’s worth of original productions.”

 In that case, it all started with lunch at Il Vicino.

 That’s where the company was first set in motion, in the spring of 2014, when Turning Pointe Dance owner Tina Cook proposed the idea following the successful debut of the studio’s musical theater company that January.

 “I loved that we were providing an additional performance opportunity for our musical theater kids and a way to connect to the community, but I also started dreaming about this kind of opportunity for our dance students,” Cook said. “Not necessarily performing ballets that we all know like ‘The Nutcracker’ or ‘Swan Lake,’ but something that is unique and shows that would bring in Biblical stories to bring hope to the community.”

 In the spring of 2015, FYDC performed its first show titled “Firebird,” based on the children’s book of the same name, and the company began creating a legacy of gospel-driven theater within the studio. Since that first production, the company has seen its share of challenges, from a late spring blizzard that threatened to strand cast members during production weekend, to a water main break that threatened to close the production venue the day of a show’s premiere, and a global pandemic that threatened to change the performing arts as we knew them for years.

 “It’s a crazy decade to look back on for sure,” McKinnis said. “But God always knew the potential of FYDC, even when it was hard to see. This season, with this story for our 10th year in particular, I think of the crown jewels on the Raedonleith royals, and how they started off as lumps of coal. It takes time and energy to dig them up and spot their potential, and an elite craftsman to create what we see in a king’s crown. Even when things were rough, we continued to put in the work and give Him our best, knowing that He’d refine the lumps of coal and use them in His masterpiece.”

 Now heading into their Decennial season, FYDC has a lot to celebrate. Their 2021 production of “Lionheart” was the most successful to-date, topped only by 2022’s adaptation of “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” which is currently being studied by a Professor of Theology at Biola University in Southern California.

 “If you had told me that a year after navigating a pandemic, the author of ‘The Lady and the Lionheart’ would post a video raving about our company and production to 1.16 thousand subscribers, I don’t think I would have believed you,” McKinnis said. “It’s just so amazing to see the ripple effect of His work in this company, from the dancers it’s grown to the creators it’s connected.”

 FYDC’s 2023 season saw the creation of a historical romance, adapting “Bring Her Home” with the goal of using dance to show that the King will always show up to fight for His children. Traditionally, the Royal Standard is that, when you see a flag flown at a palace, it means that the Sovereign is present. It indicates to others that the King is in residence. This season, as FYDC prepared to tell a royal tale, they made a commitment to raise the flag. Not just on the stage in November, but in the studio every single week, and throughout the city every single day, staying true to the mission they established at that fateful lunch nearly a decade ago.

 “We actually have a little FYDC flag that we put up in the studio during rehearsals, and another one that’s been passed around to go home with different cast members week to week,” McKinnis said. “It’s a great reminder to invite Him into the process, and who we’re really dancing for. He is present in our dreams for this company, and we have big ones. This year we're creating a completely original production to tell a story no one has ever told on stage before. Since 2014, we've dreamt our big dreams, and asked God to shape them, scrub them, and steward them, like the verse that’s always been etched in our logo: ‘Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory.’”

 “I am so thankful for the dream of FYDC that He planted in mine and Ms. Tina's heart so many years ago, and for the many hearts we've reached on the stage and in the studio over the last 10 years," McKinnis continued.. "As we head into our next 10 years, even when this royal season is over, we're going to keep raising the flag.”

 Audiences have three chances to see a live performance of “Bring Her Home,” Saturday, November 11, at 2 or 6 p.m., or a Sunday matinee November 12 at 2 p.m. at the Roy J. Wasson auditorium (2115 Afton Way). The company will celebrate its 10th season with a special alumni performance prior to the Saturday 6 p.m. performance, and honor the seniors who will graduate this year prior to the Sunday matinee. Tickets and information are available now at FideleYouthDanceCompany.com, or can be purchased directly here: https://28948.danceticketing.com/r/events/

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!!”