About Us
Classical and Modern Dance Lessons in Maryville
Meet Our Dance Studio Owner Dianna Andrews-Gaither
Dianna Andrews Gaither received a BFA in dance from Webster University. She was also granted departmental honors upon graduating. Dianna furthered her studies in New York City at The Ailey School, where she extensively studied the Lester Horton technique of modern dance. She has performed with The Ailey School, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Slaughter Project, Webster University Dance Ensemble, Movement Dance Theater, and State Street Dance Company. Dianna is also an educator for aTrek Dance Collective’s elementary school performance and residency program Moving Through Math. She has twenty years of teaching experience and is one of the four founding company members of Turn of Change Dance Collective. Dianna has also taught on faculty for many years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance in Maryville
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance strives to offer the highest quality dance classes in the metro-east! Our highly skilled teachers are committed to creating a fun and safe learning environment for students of all ages, and our curriculum is specifically designed to ensure the best learning experience possible. Turning Pointe believes in nourishing the mind, body and spirit to create a well-rounded dancer who strives for their best in a non-competitive atmosphere.
Why is an education in the performing arts important for my child?
An education in performing arts has been shown to improve a child's academic and social development. Children who study performing arts tend to do better in school, are good test takers, and are more confident. Dance is not only a great physical outlet for children, but there is a learned discipline and camaraderie that carries on through adulthood.
Professional Dance Instructors & Dance Studio Located in Maryville IL
There is no need to travel into the city to get classical and modern dance instruction. Turning Pointe Academy of Dance in Maryville is here to meet your needs! We are conveniently located at 34 Executive Plaza Ct, Maryville, IL with a full facility including sprung flooring.
Our Professional Dance Instructors
Gwen Meeker
Gwen Meeker is well known for her intensity and passion for the art of dance. She has studied all genres of dance, and is an incredible choreographer. She has studied with internationally known instructors such as Brian Friedman, Dave Scott, Chris Judd, Tamara Squires and Liz Imperio to name a few. In 2000 Gwen attended The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California. Gwen graduated from Lindenwood University with a BA in Dance Management and was awarded Dancer of the Year in 2009. She is a member of the Turn of Change Dance Collective and has choreographed for several dance teams in the area. She currently teaches Jazz, Hip Hop and Tumbling at Turning Pointe Academy of Dance. Gwen is highly regarded for her challenging and enthusiastic hip hop classes.
Kayla Giger
Kayla Giger graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with her BS in Dance. While attending SIUE, Kayla was president of University Dance Organization and a member of University Dance Company. She has performed at events such as, St. Louis Dancing in the Streets Festival, National Dance Week, Tour Dance Concert, Turn of Change Dance Collective, and American College Dance Festival Gala 2010 and 2012. Kayla is currently a middle school teacher's aide as well as Triad Varsity Dance Team coach where she has brought first place titles with her choreography.
Loryl Breitenbach
Loryl Breitenbach is a graduate of Webster University Loryl Breitenbach has taught, choreographed and performed in the Metro area for over 20 years. Her work has been performed and presented by the Mid American Dance Company, ACDFA, aTrek, Webster University, Turn of Change Dance Collective, Dancing in the Streets, SIUE Dance in Concert series as well as Walt Disney World. Loryl has shared her many talents locally with artists such as Dawn Karlovsky and Dancers, Summer Beasley, and Jennifer Medina. She continues to teach tap, ballet and modern at Turning Pointe Dance Academy, and choreograph for Tour Dance. Loryl has been a performer and choreographer for Turn of Change Dance Collective for the past five years.
Jennifer Huffman-Olivas
Jennifer Huffman-Olivas is from Festus, Missouri. Growing up, she spent most of her time upside down, dancing and flying through the air as she traveled and competed in dance and sports acrobatics. . Jennifer holds a gold medal from the 1999 Sports Acrobatics National Championship Competition and is a two time silver medalist at other Sports Acrobatic National Championships. Teaching credits include: 13 years experience teaching dance and acrobatics around the world, including Academy of Dance in Fürth, Germany, Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, and currently at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Jennifer has joined her husband, Omar Olivas in choreographing works at Orange County High School of the Arts, Bringham Young University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Webster University, University at Buffalo, and Leverage Dance Company. Jennifer graduated from Webster University with a BFA in Dance. Her professional dance credits include: David Dorfman’s Dance Out of Seasons, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal’s The Nutcracker, The Slaughter Project, Paul Taylor 2 in Esplanade, Move, Inaside Chicago Dance, Neglia Ballet’s Nutcracker, MusicalFare’s American Rhapsody, she was a founding company member of Lehrerdance and toured nationally for three years. Continuing her travels, Jennifer then joined Diavolo Dance Theater in the winter of 2010. She has toured all over the world and continues to join the company as an understudy.
Kristin Best-Kinscherff
Kristin Best-Kinscherff (Guest Artist) is the Head of the Dance Department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Kristin is a founding member of Turn of Change Dance Collective and has performed with Duarte Dance Works, University of Iowa’s premiere touring ensemble Dancers in Company and The Slaughter Project. She has danced and choreographed in opening acts for hypnotist Tony Z, comedian Phyllis Diller, the Nokia Sugar Bowl as well as on ESPN for the National Dance Team Championship. Best has taught courses at the University of Iowa, Lewis and Clark College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was a head instructor for the Universal Dance Association for 7 years, served on the curriculum development committee and currently judges for the National Dance Team Championship. Her choreography for dance teams has won numerous awards including the 2008 State Champions Collinsville High School Kick routine and O’Fallon High School’s Dance routine. Kristin holds a MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa and a BS in Theater and Dance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Lindsay Kelly Stewart
Lindsay Kelly Stewart (Guest Artist) graduated from Webster University in 2004 with her BFA in Dance. While at Webster she was a member of Webster University Dance Ensemble under direction of Gary Hubler and Beckah Voigt. Lindsay was a company member and resident choreographer with The Slaughter Project for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Recently she has joined forces to form Turn of Change Dance Collective. Ms. Kelly has also studied and performed with Alexandra Ballet Company, Dance Aspen, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Saint Louis Ballet, State Ballet of Missouri, The Jillana School, and The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet. Currently, Ms. Kelly is the ballet program coordinator for Dance Floor, LLC and an I an instructor at Renee Johnson’s Dance Studio in West St. Louis County.
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance
Outstanding Dance Studio in Maryville
Our faculty and teachers are passionate about making sure your family has the best experience possible.