Beginning in 2006 with 2 students, Turning Pointe has become one of Southwest Chicago's leading classical ballet school and one of the largest dance schools in the area!
Turning Pointe:
At Turning Pointe we strive to create an atmosphere in which each student can develop skills in dance through proper technique in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Tap, and Jazz. From a modest beginning using a small classroom in a local church, Turning Pointe now has over 100 students attending from all over the Southwest Suburbs. Our new facility includes two spacious stuios, dressing rooms, offices, and a costume room. Our fully equipped studios include mirrored walls, sprung dance floors, roscoe flooring, and well built barres. Turning Pointe provides a place where students of differing abilities, ethnic backgrounds, and economic circumstances are encouraged to dance. The school seeks to provide a well-rounded program where dancers are guided through a curriculum designed to enhance both physical skill and spiritual growth.
Turning Pointe Chicago
9645 Lincoln-Way Lane, Suite 104
Frankfort, IL 60423
Located in the Crown Centre across from Tommy Nevin's Pub and Culver's on LaGrange.
Our Frankfort facility houses two studios, our Administrative offices and Costume Manager's workshop.
Each studio is outfitted with rubber-sprung raised wood floors, Roscoe dance floor coverings,
and full mirror exposure.
Julie Kapenga moved to Chicago in 2005. After teaching at other area dance studios, she felt a need for a strong classical ballet school in the Southwest Surburbs that had a Christian focus. Turning Pointe Chicago has quickly grown from two students to over one hundred students studying classical ballet technique.
Julie began her dance training at the age of five, dancing at several different studios in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. At the age of 11 she began training at the Milwaukee Ballet School and studied under Taras Kalba and Jeanette Makaroff in their pre-professional division. While training at the Milkwaukee Ballet she performed in the Nutcracker, Giselle, and Coppelia. In 2000 Julie graduated from Hope College with a degree in psychology and dance. Shortly after college, Julie began teaching at Turning Pointe School of Dance in Holland, Michigan.
During her high school years she began a liturgical dance group at her church, where she also began teaching ballet. It was during this time that Julie saw how to integrate her dancing with her faith. Since then, Julie has performed and choreographed peices for worship services, and for church and dance school productions. She has taught ballet for over ten years at various studios and churches in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
Julie loves passing on her knowledge in dance to her students, and teaching them how to integrate this with their faith!
Julie Kapenga
Artistic Director
Turning Pointe School of Dance Chicago
Megan Bouck
Julianna Slager began her ballet training at the Academy of the Arts at the age of seven under the direction of Lori Ladwig in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Julianna danced at the Academy of the Arts for ten years and was a part of its sister establishment, the Jackson Ballet Company, for five years. While at the Academy Julianna trained with many teachers including director Lori Ladwig, Rachelle Connors of the New York City Ballet, and Tenille Carver, Artistic Director of Paradosi Ballet Company and Elzbieta Alabuszew-Kutek of the National Institute of Theater Arts Moscow, Russia.
While performing with the Jackson Ballet Company, Julianna danced soloist and principal roles in many classical and contemporary ballets. During her time at the Academy, Julianna was privileged to assistant teach and later to teach ballet to all ages. Julianna is thrilled to have been invited back to the Academy of the Arts as a guest teacher and choreographer.
From 2004-2007 Julianna was a member of the Greater Lansing Ballet Company under the direction of Barbara Banasikowski Smith. While with Greater Lansing Ballet, Julianna performed soloist roles in various classical and contemporary ballets. During her time there she studied with renowned teachers such as Madame Gribinova Dean of the Vaganova Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg, Laura Alonso of the Cuban National Ballet, and Kip Sturm principal dancer of Dance Theatre of Harlem.
From 2007-2009 Julianna danced and was a trainee with Ballet Magnificat, a professional Christian ballet company, under the direction of Kathy Thibodeaux, Jiri Voborsky and Sol Nazario. While at Ballet Magnificat, Julianna performed core and soloist roles in original ballets choreographed by members of Ballet Magnificat. While with Ballet Magnificat Julianna performed in all kinds of venues, helping to develop her love of ballet as a ministry tool.
From 2009-present Julianna has enjoyed teaching and choreographing for Turning Pointe School of Dance, a pre-profesional ballet school in Chicago's south suburbs. Some original ballets include Created to Worship and Esther. Julianna has had the privilege of being invited as a guest teacher and choreographer by several ballet schools and churches in Chicago, Milwaukee and various other places in and around the Midwest.
Julianna is blessed to be married to Jeremy Slager, Pastor of Student Ministries at St. Paul's Bible Church in south Chicago. They are expecting their first child in March!
Julianna Slager
School Principal
Resident Choreographer
Amy Kozol developed her passion for ballet at a young age and began her serious ballet training at City Center School of the Arts (CCSA) in Rock Island, Illinois. She later had the privilege of spending three years dancing as a trainee with Ballet Quad Cities, a ten-member classical company under the direction of Johanne Jakhelln. During this time, she had the privilege of performing original choreography by Johanne Jakhelln, Margaret-Mead Finizio, Dan Stark, and Deanna Carter and danced such roles as Clara in 'The Nutcracker,' the Spring Fairy in 'Cinderella,' and Miep in Jakhelln's original story ballet, 'From the Pages of a Young Girls Life,' based on the story of Ann Frank.
Motivated by a growing desire to more directly combine her Christian faith and her occupation as a dancer, Amy left Ballet Quad Cities and sought training at Ballet Magnificat, a Christian professional ballet company in Jackson, Mississippi. She studied there under Juri Vorborsky, Resident Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Omega Company, Cassandra Voborsky, and Sol Nazario. During her time at Ballet Magnificat, Amy was able to perform repertoire from ballets such as Rinah and Shane & Shane, and later toured throughout the Jackson vicinity performing Ballet Magnificats famous 'God Gets the Glory,' and the original story ballet 'Narrow Road,' based on 'The Pilgrims Progress,' choreographed by Hannah Beaver and Reagan Gresli Marquez.
Since moving to Chicago in 2009, Amy has developed an increasing passion to use professional ballet for Gods glory, specifically HERE in the City of Chicago and the surrounding areas. In the spring of 2011, she assisted the directors of Turning Pointe School of Dance as they set an original full-length ballet on the school based on the Biblical story of Esther. She also enjoys putting her baccalaureate degree in Professional Writing and Business Administration to use and has worked in several administrative roles for dance schools in Chicago. Amy currently resides in one of Chicagos north-side neighborhoods and is excited to be joining Turning Pointe once more.
Amy Kozol
Administrative Assistant
Children's and Training Division Instructor
Beth Netzly was born and raised in Holland Michigan. She began her training under Rick and Lara Faucher and performed many lead roles with the Turning Pointe Ensemble for seven years.
Her technique advanced as she attended various summer intensives across the country including Ballet Mag, Ad Deum, and Paul Taylor. Beth attended Grand Valley State University and was selected as a freshman to perform in the ensemble. In addition to college classes Beth trained under James and Lucia Martin and performed as a guest artist in Grand Rapids Michigan.
Ms. Netzly has been teaching for eight years, from beginning level to master classes. Beth has choreographed for many dance studios, as well as high school dance and theater competitions. Her choreography won Michigans state competition for Holland High Theater in 2006 as well as second place in 2007. She lead the Midwest Edge Ballet Ensemble to many awards through the past two years and has enjoyed being the rehearsal director for several studios in the area.
Beth was asked to join Rasa in 2008 under the direction of Van Collins. She later trained under Joel Hall, Betsy Herskind, and Nick Pupillo. Beth continues to dance professionally and is thrilled to pass on the knowledge she has learned over the years to her students.
Beth Netzly
Teacher, Training Division and Children's Division
Jordan Dennen
Children's Division Teacher
Rebecca Lighton began her dancing at the age of three. She has studied Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Pointe and Tap. She began her formative years at the Dance Studio and was a member of their Dance Troup. Rebecca continued her studies at the American Dance Center and was an ADC Company member, performing in various venues including, dinner theater shows, Holiday Fantasy, the Mrs. Illinois Pageant, and Dance Olympus workshop 2008.
Rebecca has taken classes and intensive workshops with River North Dance Company and Hubbard Street/ Lou Conte Dance Chicago. She joined Turning Pointe School of Dance Summer 2008; performances include: The Promise 2008, 2009, 2010, Noah & the Arc, and Created to Worship. She attended Holland TPSD Summer intensive 2009, and is a Senior Ensemble member 2010 and 2011. She has choreographed original Ballet, Tap, Pointe, and Jazz pieces for her High School Orchesis Company 2010 and 2011 performances.
Rebecca was awarded a Leadership Scholarship to the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Ranch in Colorado summer 2010. She is a high honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society and French National Honor Society. She is enrolled in honors and A.P. classes. She an active member of eight extracurricular organizations, and an Executive Board member of five. Rebecca plays varsity golf for Lockport Township High School and is an active community volunteer.
Rebecca feels most at home at Turning Pointe and is confident she has found her purpose for dancing...To Glorify God!
Rebecca Lighton
Elective Division Teacher
