Our Goal
We use American Ballet Theatre for our guideline how to train a healthy dancer. Nothing of this scope was ever produced for any sport or physical activities. While injuries will always be a part of any high level physical activity, our goal is to do our best to minimize the risks. Every student who dances must receive all the benefits of dancing: Happy, Healthy and Versatile Dancers. We want to balance the proper training with the opportunities for serious dancers to pursue a professional career in dance, as well as dancing for the love of the art form.
Our Vision
Dancing for Good Health, Joy & Self-discipline
HEALTH:
Dancing can be a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has a wide range of physical, and mental benefits including: improved condition of your heart and lungs, increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness, increased aerobic fitness, improved muscle tone and strength, weight management, stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis, better coordination, agility and flexibility, improved balance and spatial awareness, increased physical confidence, improved mental functioning, improved general and psychological wellbeing, greater self-confidence and self-esteem, and better social skills. Most forms of dance may be considered an aerobic exercise and as such reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, help weight control, stress reduction, and bring about other benefits commonly associated with physical fitness. In addition, studies have demonstrated a considerable correlation between dancing and psychological well-being. It also helps with discipline, coordination, balance and memorization.
A major study at Stanford University added to the growing evidence that stimulating one’s mind by dancing can ward off Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, much as physical exercise can keep the body fit. Dancing also increases cognitive acuity at all ages. Dancing integrates several brain functions at once — kinesthetic, rational, musical, and emotional — further increasing your neural connectivity.
JOY:
There is an amazing feeling of happiness and joy that comes from dancing ballet that is so different from anything else. You feel strong, flexible, and in control. You feel your feet pointing, legs moving with ease, you flow in movements and you feel like flying when you jump. To get to that place it takes years of consistent training. When people say that I train my students for professional dancing only, because we require so much time commitment, I disagree. We train our students to share with them that feeling of pure freedom, joy and happiness that birds feel when they fly. Because ballet feels just as amazing as it looks.
SELF-DISCIPLINE:
Ballet teaches how to be patient with yourself and learn how to work every day to improve your mind, your body, and your technique.
Very often the ones that are physically talented and smart, who get good grades at school with minimal effort, they tend to get discouraged when are faced with challenges in ballet class, because they do not know how to deal with a challenge. They feel if they didn’t get it right away they are just not good at that particular movement. I was one of those kids who got all “A” without really needing to try hard in school. I got discouraged when things didn’t happen right away in ballet class. With time I understood what it means to work on a challenge, think, apply corrections and you get results. Just because there is a challenge it doesn’t mean you are not good at it.
About the Training Method
The Turning Pointe School of Dance has a strong classical ballet foundation with the primary goal of raising properly trained dancers. We use the American Ballet Theater Curriculum which is a combination of Russian, Italian and French ballet styles. We teach our students the difference among classical ballet styles, and encourage our students to learn and be able to switch between the styles of ballet. Ballet serves as our core technique; building a foundation that allows dancers to adopt and adapt to other dance aesthetics, styles, and techniques. Turning Pointe School of Dance also provides strong dance programs in Hip-Hop, and Contemporary with recreational Jazz and Lyrical classes. We encourage all dancers to be versatile in their training and movement styles.
History
Terry Irion, along with her husband, Bruce, founded the Turning Pointe School of Dance in October of 2004 with the goal of providing an environment that would instill the joy of dance. The also strived to provide students with the level of training needed to pursue a professional dance career. Natalya Vyashenko joined the Turning Pointe School of Dance in September 2007. In 2009, Natalya became the owner of the Turning Pointe School of Dance.
Since 2007 Michelle Walker has been with the Turning Pointe School of Dance, teaching Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical. She believes in a strong foundation in Ballet and emphasizes proper body alignment. Her classes are focused, stimulating and challenging. Miss Michelle became the new owner of the Turning Pointe School of Dance in August 2019. She takes great care with each and everyone of her students. Whether they dance in college, with a dance company, competitions, or for the pure joy of it. She wants them to be happy, healthy, successful, and versatile.
Our Faculty
Michelle Walker
Michelle received her early ballet training from the Canton Ballet. Coursework concentrated on Ballet Technique, Pointe, and Dance Physical Analysis. Performance background included the yearly Christmas production of “The Nutcracker” and the spring performance of “Swan Lake.”
Michelle continued her dance training at the University of Akron, receiving her B.A. degree from the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Coursework included Ballet Technique, Pointe, Pas de deux, Modern, Jazz, Choreography, Dance Notation, and Pilates. Performance background included Repertory Company, Touring Ensemble, and Shakespeare & Company.
Michelle has been with the Turning Pointe School of Dance since 2007 teaching Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, and Lyrical Dance. She believes in a strong foundation in ballet and emphasizes proper body alignment. Her classes are focused, stimulating, and challenging. She takes great care with each and every one of her students. Whether they dance in college, with a dance company, competitions, or for the pure joy of it she wants them to be happy, healthy, successful, and versatile.
Michelle resides in Jackson Township with her husband Mike, and two daughters Emma and Sarah. Her daughters have called “Turning Pointe” home since they were two years old. Her daughter Emma teaches Pre-Primary Ballet on Saturdays.
Miss Michelle’s Turning Pointe School of Dance
Michelle Walker
(330) 936-8403
Avery Brockmeyer
Avery began her dance training at Natalya’s Turning Pointe when she was 3 years old. She then continued her dance training at Dianna Durkin Dance Studio when she was 10. Her training includes ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, modern, tap, jazz, and musical theater.
Avery is a graduate from Northwest High School. She is currently attending the University of Akron studying dance and business. Avery is very passionate about dance, and she loves to inspire every dancer she encounters!
Renee Clippinger
Renee started dancing at the age of three at Midwest School of Ballet in Amherst, Ohio. She trained there in styles of ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and hip-hop. She competed as a member of their company team from the ages of 10-17. She started choreographing her competition solos at the age of 14 and went on to start choreographing for their competition team and recitals. After graduating from Firelands Highschool in 2021, she went on to further her education at The University of Akron. Studying Psychology and Dance, she has had numerous opportunities through this institution. At UA, she was a member of The University of Akron Dance Team for two seasons, performing at UA football and basketball games furthering her training in jazz, hip-hop, and pom. In the dance program at UA, she has had the opportunity to perform in numerous works as a member of The University of Akron Dance Company working with various artists such as Colleen Barnes, Christine Howe, Tyler Ring, and Wilfried Souly. She is also an active member of Terpsichore Dance Club, which she is the current president of. Through Terpsichore, she has had the opportunity to choreograph and perform in various works for their Underclassmen Showcase and their annual Spring into Dance concert. Outside of UA, she recently performed in CDF Akron as a member of Frtrss Dance Theatre, and had the opportunity to be a Seasonal Trainee with The Movement Project.
Grace Frost
Grace began her dance training as a competitive dancer in Northeast Wisconsin, at the age of 3. In 2013, Grace started training in ballet full time at the Makaroff School of Ballet in Appleton, Wisconsin. She danced alongside the Makaroff Youth Ballet in performances such as the Nutcracker, community outreaches, and local parades. In 2015, Grace and her family moved to Northeast Ohio where she continued her training at Natalya’s Turning Pointe. She went through intense studying and training for the American Ballet Theater (ABT) ballet program. She completed examinations of levels 4B and 5A in New York City, passing them with merits. Grace was also a senior member of the pre-professional company, Ballet Le Reve, and performed in many performances and community outreach events. In 2018, Grace transferred her training over to New Focus Dance Academy as a senior member and soloist on their national competition team.
After high school, Grace attended Walsh University in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in elementary education. While at Walsh University, she was a member and team captain of the dance team. They performed at football games, basketball games, and other campus community events. Currently, Grace works as an elementary teacher at Weaver Child Development Center.
Grace has experience in many different dance styles including Ballet, Pointe, Character, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theater, Acrobatics, and Hip Hop. She is excited to be a part of the Turning Pointe family while sharing her love and passion with young dancers.