Our Leadership Team

​Alisha Kuckartz
  • Academy owner and director of the TPA Dance Team program
  • Specialty areas include Pom, Lyrical, Jazz, and Baton Twirling
  • Teaches Dance Team classes and Pom/Jazz Step 4
  • B.A. in Secondary Education and a Master's degree Education Administration and Leadership
  • High school Spanish and public speaking teacher
  • Certified facilitator in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
  • Certified Life Coach
  • Certified PiYo, Pound, and Bungee Fitness instructor
Kathryn Szalay
  • Teaches Lyrical Steps 3 & 4
  • Specialty areas include ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and pointe
  • Cecchetti Grade 1 licensed teacher
  • Graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Elementary Education
  • Teaches sixth grade at Southwestern Middle School
  • Alumni of the Purdue University Higher Ground Dance Company
  • Veteran of the United States Army
Anna Morton
  • Teaches Hip Hop Steps 2 & 3, and Pom/Jazz Step 3
  • Current student at Purdue University
  • Member and Choreographer of the Higher Ground Dance Company at Purdue University
  • Former Senior Captain of Penn High School Dance Team
Rayelle Sheets
  • Teaches Dance & Tumble classes
  • Graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering  
  • Production Control Manager at Wabash National
  • Former Purdue University Golduster
  • Former Benton Central Rhythmette
  • Group fitness instructor
  • Certified in eight different fitness programs
Krystal Ellis
  •  Teaches Mommy & Me, Dance Fusion, and Tumbling classes
  • Certified Dance Educator of America
  • Former professional dancer and cheerleader for the Mississippi She Wolves
Shae Ropp
  •  Assistant Teacher for the Starlights Dance Team
  • Currently attending Purdue University majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management
  • Turning Pointe Academy Golden Alum
Hannah Kuckartz
  • Teaches Lyrical Step 2
  • Student at Turning Pointe Academy for 15 years
  • Currently attending Purdue University majoring in Communication with double minors in Psychology and Dance
  • Member of the Purdue University Dance Marathon
  • Member of the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company
Barclay Gibbs
  • Teaches Ballet Steps 1, 2, 3 & 4, and Pointe classes
  • Graduate of Towson University with a Dance major
  • Former owner and director of the Dance Conservatory of Maryland
  • Former professional dancer with Ballet British Columbia and with Charleston Ballet Theatre
  • Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique
Denae Greeson
                             Teaches private piano lessons