Marilou Myers, Director
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Marilou Myers opened Turning Point in the fall of 1988 after teaching at UWSP
conservatory for Creative Expression for three years. She has received two
Bachelors degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, her first in Music
Education and the second in Dance. While studying dance at the University, she
performed with Dance Midwest. Her choreography was performed at "Danstage"
and "Afterimages" for which she received the honor of "Outstanding Choreographer"
in 1986. Marilou also has a background in teaching as a public school music teacher.
She continues to teach in the schools as a guest clinician, bringing the fun of dance to
many area children, including the Special Education students. She has combined her
dance and music training as a teacher for the American Suzuki Institute, instruction
children from all over the world.
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Julie Baird, Assistant Director
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Julie graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, with degrees in Dance &
Interior Architecture. She performed in Danstage and Afterimages while at the
university, and had choreography featured in Afterimages. She is a member of the
dance organizations Dance Masters of Wisconsin (DMW) & Chicago National
Associations of Dance Masters (CNADM) and became a certified dance educator
(CDE) through them. She is originally from the Madison area where she danced in
Wisconsin Dance Ensemble's semi-professional Nutcracker for 10 years. She has been
a part of Turning Point Faculty since 1997. She continues to enjoy sharing her passion
for dance with all the students and assisting with keeping the studio running
smoothly.
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Pamela Luedtke - Guest Instructor
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We are excited to announce Pamela’s return to our faculty this year as a Guest
Instructor for some of the advanced classes. She is the founder and artistic director
of Point Dance Ensemble (PDE), which was established in January 2000 as a 503(c)
non-profit dance company for young dancers, 11-18 years of age. Pamela also
instructs dance throughout Central Wisconsin and is currently an Associate Lecturer
instructing ballet with the dance department at UWSP.
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Whitney Lotzer
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Whitney is a senior at UWSP majoring in Dance and History. She is certified in the
Language of Dance (Stage 2), and has performed in Danstage and Afterimages.
Whitney has had choreography featured in Afterimages, Funky Shorts-the Players
Forum, and the Arts Bash Festival. She has also had the opportunity to take master
classes taught by Arturo Fernandez (Lines Ballet master), Sarah Bibik (River North
Dance Chicago’s director’s asst.), Jackie Brenner O’Connor, Brandi Coleman, and
Jordan Kahl (Jump Rhythm Jazz Project company members), and Lynn Schwab
(Barbara Duffy and Co. company member). Whitney recently participated in Rhythm
Moves Me, a performance/teaching intensive. She is also a figure skating teacher and
private coach at the Willett Arena. She has been dancing at Turning Point since she
was three years old and she is excited to be teaching for her seventh year.
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Katherine Lotzer
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Katherine is currently a senior at UWSP working towards a Bachelor of Science
degree in Health Promotions and Wellness and a double minor in Business
Administration and Dance. She has been dancing at Turning Point since the age of 3
and is trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, and Modern. Katherine also teaches figure
skating at the K.B. Willet Ice Arena and continues to compete. Katherine has
performed for Afterimages, Crystal Ice Figure Skating Club, and Marshfield Figure
Skating Club. Katherine is thrilled to teach for Turning Point for her fifth year.
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Jesse Schmitz-Boyd
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Originally from the Twin Cities, Jesse is currently a senior at the University of
Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and
Anthropology. Performance experience includes AfterImages, Danstage, and in Susan
Marshall’s Other Stories. His choreography has been present both at the University,
and the American College of Dance Festival. Most recently Jesse has studied at
Zenon Dance School and Company in Minneapolis. This is his second year at Turning
Point.
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Erica Thomes
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Erica is currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is
double majoring in Dance and Health Promotions and Wellness. She grew up in
Lakeville, MN and has been studying dance for 16 years training in ballet, pas de
deux, jazz, modern, and hip hop. She has performed in an annual Nutcracker for 11
years and also in multiple productions put on by her home studio. Along with
performing, she has also choreographed and co-choreographed for the past two
years. She has also attended summer intensive programs at Milwaukee Ballet School
and Tulsa Ballet. She is excited to be returning to Turning Point for her second year.
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Samantha Nolte
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Samantha is in her junior year at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and is
pursuing a dance major and communications minor. She was the recent recipient of
the Kathryn Bukholt Dance Scholarship, and has performed in Danstage, Jeannie
Hill's "Rhythm Moves Me," Hudson WI's DCC - Visceral, and the University of
Michigan's "Dance Mix 08." Originally from New Richmond, WI, Samantha has had
training in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Modern, and she danced as a
competition line dancer with Short Dance Studios for five years, competing in both
regional and national competitions. She is very excited to teach her second year with
Turning Point!
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Micah Chermak
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Micah has been dancing for four years after being a national competitor in
gymnastics for twelve years prior to starting his training in dance. He continues train
in dance over the summer studying under a number of different companies, and
attending intensives. During the school year he takes part in UW-Stevens Point’s
dance program while also working to get his minor in English.
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Elizabeth Swingle
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Elizabeth is dance major at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in her junior
year. She has performed in Afterimages and Danstage and attended ACDFA. She
was also the proud recipient of the Anne Gilfrey Schierl Fine Arts Award for
Outstanding Freshman. She is originally from New Richmond, WI where she studied
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Modern at Short Dance Studios.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Anyone interested in applying to joining our faculty,
please send cover letter and resume to the address listed below.
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