Our Team
The faculty at Turning Pointe Academy of Dance is made up of professional educators and performers. The cumulative experience and diversity of the staff gives our students access to a broad range of teaching styles, dance technique and advice. Our main objective is to accommodate you and your children with the best possible dance education in an environment that fosters personal achievement and support from a caring and dedicated teaching staff.
Sarah Aardsma
Instructor
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Melanie Andersen
Instructor
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Melanie’s love of dancing began in middle school, when she was cast as a dancer in a play. Since then, her passion for dance has only grown. She has experience in contemporary, modern, music theater, lyrical, jazz, and vogueing, and specializes in ballet, hip-hop, and k-pop choreography.
She has been a dancer at Turning Pointe for many years, and actively takes classes to further her education and abilities. She has served as a teacher’s assistant for two years and substitute teaches as well.
Melanie knows how much of an impact an encouraging teacher can be in a dancer’s life and is thrilled to be a positive role model for dancers.
Julie Swichtenberg
Owner & Artistic Director
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Julie began dancing at the age of 3 and fell in love with the art. As a young dance company member, Julie performed and competed nationally with many high scoring routines. Julie began as a teaching assistant at the age of 13, where she discovered her interest in teaching and its rewards. At 16, Julie was awarded a full dance scholarship with Gus Giordano Dance Center. During these years she also danced with The American Ballet Academy and Lou Conte’s Hubbard Street Studio. Julie was a model for Dance Fashions Costume Catalog, and performed at their McCormick Place costume show. Mrs. Swichtenberg has appeared in several instructional dance videos by Tap Master Al Gilbert and Ballet Mistress Jo Rowan. She has also performed at Walt Disney World in Princess Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Julie majored in dance at Columbia College in Chicago and has extensive training in injury prevention.
During Julie’s 20 year teaching career, she has taught dancers ranging in age from 2 to adult in multiple dance disciplines including Classical Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, and Creative Movement. She is also an accomplished choreographer and artistic director. Mrs. Swichtenberg has choreographed productions of “Snow White”, “Peter Pan”, and “Chronicles of Narnia” for Metropolis Performing Arts Center, as well as founding and directing the Synergy Dance Company.
Julie constantly attends dance conventions to stay current with leaders in the industry such as Stacey Tookey, Sonya Tayeh, and Travis Wall. She was recently awarded a Teacher’s Scholarship while attending the Chicago Dance Connection in July 2013. Many of Mrs. Swichtenberg’s students go on to college dance programs and become teachers and performers themselves.
Miss Julie would like to thank her family for their unending support. This truly is a “Turning Pointe”, and she is very excited about the future!
Jennifer Rowley
Instructor
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Jennifer has a BA in Dance and Psychology from Denison University, with a concentration in Modern Dance. She has danced professionally and has presented her modern choreography in Washington D.C., New York and Chicago. She is excited to be part of the Turning Pointe team and is looking forward to working with a new group of dancers.
Joyce Kesseler
Instructor
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Joyce holds an architectural studies degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign but the undertaking of being a parent beckoned her away from architecture. As a stay at home mom for fourteen years to three boys, Joyce held small jobs here and there in architecture and education. A long time student of dance, Joyce began working at the Dundee Township Park District as a preschool substitute teacher, teacher’s aide and dance instructor. Volunteering at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School for eight years also helped her discover her desire to encourage and uplift children.
Joyce embraces with a happy heart any opportunity that allows her to be part of dance – as a spectator or a teacher – and feels very fortunate to share her passion with Turning Pointe students.
Sin Van V
Instructor
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Sin Van V has been dancing since the age of six. She studied jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, ballet and hip hop. She danced for professional companies within Illinois and Wisconsin and has been teaching in the Chicagoland area since 1991.
Devyn Chenault
Instructor
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Devyn is a student attending Western Michigan University, training with the university’s dance program. She grew up as a competitive dancer and high school dance team member with a love for choreography. Devyn has received many awards and scholarships, and has attended YAGP, Milwaukee Ballet’s Pre-proffessional Summer Intensive program, and World Ballet Arts Canada Competitions Finals. Ms. Chenault was chosen for Liz Imperios mentorship program and continues to gain experience and career guidance as she pursues her dream of teaching dance.
Jon Swichtenberg
Business Manager
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Jon Swichtenberg is the Business Manager at Turning Pointe Academy of Dance, and is of course Julie’s husband. We both believe that communication should be a cornerstone of our new business. Please come to Jon with any questions or concerns you may have.
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Address
2492 Technology Drive
Elgin, IL 60124