Turning Pointe Academy of Dance
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance, 34 Executive Plaza Ct, Maryville, IL 62062
About
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance offers a range of dance activities, including High Impact Dance Camp, One Week Theme Classes, Broadway & Acrobatics, a Three Week Intensive Camp, and a One Week Kiddo Camp. Ongoing class options include Fundamentals, Combo, and Musical Theater, and the program also presents The Nutcracker Ballet featuring local young dancers.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class and camp options with Winter Mini Sessions from January 10 through February 28, One Week Theme Classes and Broadway & Acrobatics from June 3–13, 2024, a Three Week Intensive Camp from June 3–20, 2024, and a One Week Kiddo Camp from July 15–18, 2024; general studio hours are Monday–Friday noon–8:30pm and Saturday 9am–2pm
• Price: $70 High Impact Dance Camp in Maryville IL; $110 Broadway & Acrobatics (Age 7+); $75 to $340 Three Week Intensive Camp (Age 9+); $70–$150 One Week Kiddo Camp July 15th–18th, 2024
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance has been serving students in the metro-east since 2008 and has been in business for over 15 years. The studio states that it strives to offer the highest quality dance classes in the metro-east, with highly skilled teachers committed to creating a fun and safe learning environment for students of all ages, and a curriculum specifically designed to ensure the best learning experience possible. Turning Pointe Academy of Dance states that it believes in nourishing the mind, body and spirit to create a well-rounded dancer who strives for their best in a non-competitive atmosphere, and that it is dedicated to teaching, sharing and encouraging a passion for the art of dance and performance.
All full-time teachers at Turning Pointe Academy of Dance have a Masters or Bachelors degree in dance. Dance Studio Owner Dianna Andrews-Gaither received a BFA in dance from Webster University and has twenty years of teaching experience. Instructor Gwen Meeker studied all genres of dance, studied with internationally known instructors, attended The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Lindenwood University with a BA in Dance Management. Instructor Kayla Giger graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with her BS in Dance. Instructor Loryl Breitenbach is a graduate of Webster University and has taught, choreographed and performed in the Metro area for over 20 years. Instructor Jennifer Huffman-Olivas holds a gold medal from the 1999 Sports Acrobatics National Championship Competition, is a two-time silver medalist at other Sports Acrobatic National Championships, has 13 years of experience teaching dance and acrobatics around the world, and graduated from Webster University with a BFA in Dance. Instructor Kristin Best-Kinscherff is the Head of the Dance Department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, was a head instructor for the Universal Dance Association for 7 years, and holds an MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa and a BS in Theater and Dance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Instructor Lindsay Kelly Stewart graduated from Webster University in 2004 with her BFA in Dance.
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance brings to life Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet, The Nutcracker, in a production that features local young dancers. The program has been named the #1 Dance Studio in Southwest Illinois. One parent, Jessie Forys, describes the studio as “Simply the best! With fun, loving, knowledgeable teachers that give their students support and encouragement. We love Turning Pointe!” Another parent, Rhonda Fiss, states, “Teachers are patient, knowledgeable, and kind. Highly recommend.” Parent Christopher Driver shares that the studio “has been a major part of our daughters lives” and that the recitals each year are “professional, well organized and entertaining.” Parent Tonya Coleman says her daughter “loves her teachers at Turning Pointe” and that she feels her daughter “is not just taught dance but also loved here,” and that her daughter has “not only learned a lot, but made a lot of friends here as well.”
Last updated January 11, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class and camp options with Winter Mini Sessions from January 10 through February 28, One Week Theme Classes and Broadway & Acrobatics from June 3–13, 2024, a Three Week Intensive Camp from June 3–20, 2024, and a One Week Kiddo Camp from July 15–18, 2024; general studio hours are Monday–Friday noon–8:30pm and Saturday 9am–2pm
• Price: $70 High Impact Dance Camp in Maryville IL; $110 Broadway & Acrobatics (Age 7+); $75 to $340 Three Week Intensive Camp (Age 9+); $70–$150 One Week Kiddo Camp July 15th–18th, 2024
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance has been serving students in the metro-east since 2008 and has been in business for over 15 years. The studio states that it strives to offer the highest quality dance classes in the metro-east, with highly skilled teachers committed to creating a fun and safe learning environment for students of all ages, and a curriculum specifically designed to ensure the best learning experience possible. Turning Pointe Academy of Dance states that it believes in nourishing the mind, body and spirit to create a well-rounded dancer who strives for their best in a non-competitive atmosphere, and that it is dedicated to teaching, sharing and encouraging a passion for the art of dance and performance.
All full-time teachers at Turning Pointe Academy of Dance have a Masters or Bachelors degree in dance. Dance Studio Owner Dianna Andrews-Gaither received a BFA in dance from Webster University and has twenty years of teaching experience. Instructor Gwen Meeker studied all genres of dance, studied with internationally known instructors, attended The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Lindenwood University with a BA in Dance Management. Instructor Kayla Giger graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with her BS in Dance. Instructor Loryl Breitenbach is a graduate of Webster University and has taught, choreographed and performed in the Metro area for over 20 years. Instructor Jennifer Huffman-Olivas holds a gold medal from the 1999 Sports Acrobatics National Championship Competition, is a two-time silver medalist at other Sports Acrobatic National Championships, has 13 years of experience teaching dance and acrobatics around the world, and graduated from Webster University with a BFA in Dance. Instructor Kristin Best-Kinscherff is the Head of the Dance Department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, was a head instructor for the Universal Dance Association for 7 years, and holds an MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa and a BS in Theater and Dance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Instructor Lindsay Kelly Stewart graduated from Webster University in 2004 with her BFA in Dance.
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance brings to life Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet, The Nutcracker, in a production that features local young dancers. The program has been named the #1 Dance Studio in Southwest Illinois. One parent, Jessie Forys, describes the studio as “Simply the best! With fun, loving, knowledgeable teachers that give their students support and encouragement. We love Turning Pointe!” Another parent, Rhonda Fiss, states, “Teachers are patient, knowledgeable, and kind. Highly recommend.” Parent Christopher Driver shares that the studio “has been a major part of our daughters lives” and that the recitals each year are “professional, well organized and entertaining.” Parent Tonya Coleman says her daughter “loves her teachers at Turning Pointe” and that she feels her daughter “is not just taught dance but also loved here,” and that her daughter has “not only learned a lot, but made a lot of friends here as well.”
Last updated January 11, 2026.
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