Turning Pointe Dance Academy

Turning Pointe Dance Academy is a conservative recreational dance studio serving Mobile, Alabama. The studio's philosophy centres on treating each child as an individual and building confidence without comparison. Every child is encouraged to be a star — the studio deliberately avoids spotlighting single dancers, instead giving each child an opportunity to shine.

The studio's conservative approach means age-appropriate costumes that cover dancers of all ages, and all music is screened and edited for language and content. Staff believe children should remain innocent and modest as long as possible. Education comes first: the studio does not require a set number of classes per week, recognising that families have other commitments and extracurricular activities.

Turning Pointe Dance Academy does compete, but only at competitions offering a recreational division, allowing students to compete with dancers from other recreational studios. The focus is on personal growth and self-pride rather than winning. Classes are held Monday to Thursday, 3:45pm to 7:30pm. The studio offers ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tumbling and clogging. Students can purchase shoes at the studio: ballet shoes ($16–21), tap shoes ($27–30), jazz shoes ($27–30), and tights ($10).

Tuition ranges from $55 per month for one class per week to $135 per month for six or more classes. A registration fee of $45 applies (or $75 for two or more siblings). Recital fees are $150 for one dancer or $200 for two or more dancers, and include tickets, trophies, a dancer entrance lanyard and recital digital download. Costume deposits ($30 per costume) are due by November 1st, with the balance due by January 8th. Competition group dances cost approximately $65 each. The studio offers a family rate for siblings and provides scholarships: the Jody & Kathy Grice Memorial Scholarship.

The teaching staff are highly qualified and experienced. Many instructors have competed at regional and national level, attended professional workshops (Hollywood Vibe, Showstoppers, Applause), and hold higher education degrees. Several have danced in Walt Disney World performances. The studio has been operating since 2009.

You'll find an open-door studio where staff listen to your concerns and aim to instil the same love of dance they carry themselves. Classes are recreational and age-appropriate, with an emphasis on individual growth and self-confidence over competition pressure.

The studio employs highly qualified instructors with extensive competitive dance backgrounds and professional development. Mallory Pyeatt trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, cheerleading and tumbling, competed regionally and nationally, holds a degree in Speech Pathology and is working towards a master's degree. Carly Wilson joined TPDA in 2013 and has become a competition teacher, choreographing numerous award-winning dances. Emilee Davis has been assisting classes since the studio's first day in 2009 and is now in her thirteenth year. Shawnna Wells Garner trained in baton and is a nurse practitioner with experience teaching. Stepheny Ready discovered clogging at age five and won many team competition titles. Kendra Isenhower trained in jazz, hip hop, lyrical, ballet, cheerleading and tumbling, is a UCA All-Star cheerleader and holds a master's degree in Elementary Education. Abbie Bouler competed with TPDA for ten years, danced in Walt Disney World five times (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019), and is now on her third year as an instructor. Layna Estes has studied tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary, hip hop, tumbling and clogging since age two. Brianna Griffin danced for ten years on the Synergy Ballet Company and Dixie Darlings teams and is now a physical education teacher and cheerleading coach. Jolee White danced on TPDA's competition team and was a Kickin' Cane dancer.

The studio welcomes dancers of all starting points and emphasises individual attention and encouragement rather than pressure.