Turning Pointe

RAFAELA RAY– Owner/Director

Rafaela has been dancing since the age of 5.  She received most of her dance training in Houston and has studied ballet, modern, pointe, jazz, and tap.  She has been an instructor at Turning Pointe for 13 years, took over management 6 years ago, and became the studio owner 4 years ago.  Since that time Turning Pointe has continued to grow and thrive.  Rafaela believes in providing each of her students with challenges to strive for but also leaving them with something to feel good about each week as they complete class.  She enjoys seeing her students grow as dancers and individuals. As Owner she has worked to make Turning Pointe an establishment that blesses all who enter with encouragement, a family atmosphere, and the love of Jesus.  When she is not at the studio she enjoys spending time at home with family and working as a therapist at the Neuropsychology Clinic.

TONJA GRAY

Tonja graduated from McMurry College with a BA in Elementary Education in 1988 and has taught in local school systems since that time.  Teaching has been a lifelong dream and passion for Tonja and she is blessed to do this in both academics and the performing arts.   Tonja has a special gift for working with our teen-adult students and is a wonderfully creative individual.  We are blessed to have her as part of our teaching staff.

LINDSEY BROTSCH

Lindsey started dancing at Turning Pointe in 2004, and this year will mark her ninth year as an instructor.    She teaches ballet, jazz, and lyrical and considers it a privilege to share the gift of dance with her students.  She always offers her students a challenge and encourages their hard work and perseverance.  Lindsey holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and works as a crisis intervention specialist at the Betty Hardwick Center.

HANNAH GREGORY

Hannah has been a dancer since the age of 3 and has been trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, and lyrical.   She will be starting her ninth year as an instructor and strives to be a Godly example to her students.   She is involved in worship ministry  at Grace Point Church and Ignite student ministry at Abilene Christian University.  Hannah graduated from ACU this past May with a degree in Exercise Science and hopes to pursue a career that will allow her to follow her passions for dance and ministry, worship God, and show His glory to others.

LAURA LOGAN

Laura is our advanced tap instructor and is thrilled to return to teaching little ones in ballet and tap this coming year.  She is also a piano instructor and is active in her church and local music organizations.  Laura brings high energy and enthusiasm to all of her teaching opportunities and is a beloved member of our Turning Pointe family.  She has two children Carter and Alex, who is also a dancer.

LEXI RITCHIE

Lexi has been dancing since age 3 and has trained in ballet, pointe, tap, lyrical, jazz, liturgical, hip hop, and musical theatre.   She has been a Turning Pointe instructor for 3 years and teaches tap and ballet.   Lexi is a Godly young woman who always shares a smile and shows love to every student she encounters.  She is a student at Abilene Christian University studying Business Management.

MARISSA CLARK

Marissa is an elementary education major at Abilene Christian University.  This year will mark her second year as a Turning Pointe instructor where she teaches contemporary, ballet, and jazz.   She is from Ft. Worth, began dancing at the age of 3, and has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, and pointe.  Marissa has competed with a Christian dance company for four years.  Prior to coming to Abilene she assisted and taught at her home studio in Keller, TX for 7 years.   Marissa is a marvelously talented young lady and quickly became loved by her students at Turning Pointe.