Turning Pointe Dance

Turning Pointe Dance is a faith-based studio in Colorado Springs owned and operated by Tina Cook. The studio offers classes for ages 2 through adult in ballet, musical theater, tap, Irish, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and worship. They specialize in beginners of all ages and offer training through pre-collegiate levels. The mission is to fully develop artistic skills and talents in an atmosphere that is glorifying to God, and to encourage students to use their gifts to bless others in the community and beyond.

The studio's vision is to be a faith-based center for the arts that empowers students with grit, grace, and gratitude, with a long-term goal of seeing students flourish in their gifts and equipping them to reach their unique calling by strengthening body, mind, and spirit. Beyond technique, Turning Pointe focuses on developing important life skills including learning to be respectful and confident, and sharing gifts and talents with the community.

The studio runs an annual recital at the ENT Center for the Arts with color-coded performance levels: Silver (teen), Purple (primary), Blue (level 1), Green (level 2), Yellow (level 3), White (Promises Showcase), and a Graduating Senior Show. The recital weekend typically features dress rehearsals, professional portraits by Megan Jean Photography, and performance options at ticket prices ranging from $5 to $25 depending on show and seating. The studio also offers summer classes and camps, including specialty offerings like Fight Choreography/Stage Combat, Country Swing/Line Dancing, and Switcheroo classes that combine two styles and two teachers in one hour.

Specialized programs include Twirl (for young dancers), Pre-Pointe and Pointe training with Cecchetti Syllabus exams, a Training Division, a Teacher Assistant and Intern Program, and solo lessons and coaching in dance, voice, and acting. Birthday and Girl Scout parties are available as venue rentals. The studio promotes safety through ongoing training, cross-training, and intentional periods of rest, drawing on the principle that the body is a temple and a dancer's tool for worship.

You'll find a structured, welcoming environment with classes organised by age and level. Front desk hours during the school year run Monday–Thursday mornings and afternoons, Wednesday midday, Friday afternoon, and Saturday mornings. The studio uses an online portal for enrollment and account payments, with confirmation of class placement within 3–5 business days of registration.

The studio is led by owner Tina Cook (Twirl and Ballet Program Director), who has danced since age four and studied ballet, tap, and jazz for 15 years. Key leadership includes Taylor Felker (Training Division Director), Jenner Van Horn (Studio Director, trained from age four in Illinois), Mimi McKinnis (Fidèle Program Director and Outreach Coordinator, with 10+ years teaching ballet, Pilates, jazz, pointe, ballroom, contemporary, and worship dance), Tasha Redder (Curriculum and Enrichment Director, 20 years teaching, BFA in Dance from Arizona State University, previously danced with The Beat Fusion Jazz Dance Company), Laura Bergen (STARZ Artistic Director and Musical Theater Program Director, degree in Music Theater from Friends University), Sara Murdaugh (Pointe Director, BA in Dance from San Jose State University, graduated Cum Laude), and Havilah Bellah (trained in Vaganova style ballet at Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, MS for 11 years). Other instructors include Christina Young, Carlie Emery, Beth Jordahl, Abbie Van Horn, David Kiyak, Ava Cross, Kristi Hill, Grace Brassard, Lauren Shinnick (Irish dance, competed for 15 years), Lyla Wood, Morgan Nelson (15 years dancing, trained at Ballet Society of Colorado Springs), and Shani Kreunen (trained in Hula from age six on Kaua'i, competed at the Merrie Monarch Festival).

The studio specialises in beginners of all ages, with classes starting for ages 2 and no prior experience required.