The magnitude of the gospel can sometimes be hard to put into words; believers can become desensitized to the depth of grief, fear, confusion, and pure redemptive hope that those around Jesus experienced. Turning Pointe hopes to reignite, or maybe ignite for the first time, those emotions in audience members by sharing the gospel through dance.

Perhaps Paul, author of Romans, had it right then when he wrote, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel,” (Romans 10:15). It just so happens that this weekend those feet will be wearing pointe shoes.

Music Embodied

Before the curtain falls, before final bows, before opening night, before rehearsals and choreography, there is music.

Kaylin Bazick’s creative process when choreographing and developing a piece begins with darkness. She lets the music speak to her as she often lies on her back in the studio with her eyes closed, listening to the lyrics, the rhythm, the tempo—letting it all inspire her vision for the piece. From ballet to contemporary to modern, floor work to pointe shoes, flowing costumes to pants, she begins to imagine movements that fit the body of the song and bring life to the lyrics.

At Turning Pointe, the dancers are primarily trained in ballet; however, Kaylin, along with her coworker Maggie Mallery, has extensive training in contemporary and modern dance. Their dance backgrounds have therefore influenced and diversified the training offered to the students at Turning Pointe. What’s beautiful about the combination of both ballet and modern dance in Redeemed is that it artistically represents an even fuller picture of the perfectly divine and yet undeniably human person of Jesus Christ.

Ballet, Kaylin explained, is held, lifted, lyrical, and even ethereal. It’s structured, codified, and graceful—every movement is precise. Watching a ballet is almost otherworldly in its indescribable beauty. Modern dance, on the other hand, is grounded, low, and “human.” It’s often performed barefoot and is deeply expressive and emotional.

“What’s really interesting about the dance world now is that everything is getting blended,” Kaylin commented. And it is, in part, this blend of both ethereal and deeply human movements that keeps audience members of Redeemed mesmerized. Additionally, it is this very combination of juxtaposing realities that took on flesh in the person of Jesus.

The Making of a Show

Dancers from age nine to eighteen make up the cast of Redeemed. For three and a half months, they rehearse to perform for only three days. The dancers of Turning Pointe put on Redeemed at the Knickerbocker in downtown Holland beginning on Thursday, April 23rd; again on Friday, the 24th; and concluding on Saturday, the 25th, where there will be both a matinee and an evening show.

Casting for a show is rigorous and challenging, and ultimately, Kaylin, along with her colleagues and Executive Director Debra Burr, tends to lean into students’ natural strengths. “There are some dancers who are stronger in pointe work, so I’ll put them in pointe pieces. And there are dancers who are stronger in contemporary and modern, so I’ll put them in modern pieces. I like to put dancers where their natural strengths are so they feel confident in the movement,” Kaylin explained. She also stressed that often multiple students could fill any given role, and rather than relying on seniority, she tries to cast based on each student’s overall ability and maturation as a dancer.

And when it’s finally time to dim the house lights and put on a show, Kaylin can’t help but marvel at how it all comes together. She shared, “I love seeing the choreography start as a little seed and then grow into this beautiful masterpiece that really the students make come alive. I always think the piece will look a certain way, and it’s never exactly how I envisioned it. And I love that. The dancers will take it and make it their own, and I want it that way. They’re not just dancers, I want them to be artists as well.”

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Why Do You Dance?

Chelsea Clark, 9th grade, said that the artistic beauty of ballet is one of her favorite aspects of dancing. “It makes me feel really pretty,” she admitted, and for those watching Chelsea dance, they would agree she looks beautiful as she uses her gifts to glorify God. Like any other artist, she loves watching herself and her friends grow from corrections and instruction. In a world of instant gratification, Turning Pointe School of Dance is raising young people to appreciate the hard work it takes to improve and grow.

Elina McGee, 12th grade, said she loves how “you can tell a story without using words, and not only tell a story, but worship the Lord at the same time.”

Gianna Engle, 12th grade, shared that for her, it’s an emotional outlet and her way to be with the Lord. By dancing, she is exercising the gifts the Lord has given her, and therefore, it makes her feel close to Him.

Similarly, Sophia Rozeboom, 9th grade, said that she loves how you can express yourself—no matter what you’re feeling, you can use it to fuel your dance. She said you can express all the emotions inside of you in a beautiful way.

For Abigail Zelenock, 10th grade, dance has been a source of stability in her life. “Even through some of the hardest and darkest parts of my life, I’ve always had this community, I’ve always had dance.” She is grateful for her community of sisters in Christ that she’s found at Turning Pointe.

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What Is Your Favorite Piece in Redeemed?

“Women at the Cross”
Gianna explained that there’s “something about that piece [that reminds you to] take up your own cross and walk with Jesus,” which is the mindset she embodies before performing this moving, modern piece.  

“Women at the Well”
Elina shared, “I love 'Women at the Well.’ I cry every time I watch it. It’s such a good reminder that whatever we’re going through, we don’t have to bear it all by ourselves, we can just take it to Jesus… you can fall apart in His presence, He can piece you back together.”

“Via Dolorosa”
Abigail reflected on the powerful opportunity this piece offers the dancers to express the dark and mournful events in the story of Jesus, something she says a lot of people miss. The storytelling in this piece is incredibly strong.

“Here With Us”
Unique due to the inclusion of a live vocal performance by Jenessa Altvater, “Here With Us” is one of Chelsea’s favorite pieces. She said the lyrics are really relatable, which makes it easy to be worshipful through. “Here With Us” follows a darker performance, and Chelsea appreciates that this song reminds viewers of the happiness, joy, and hope that exist because of the love of God. Plus, she added, she loves dancing with scarves.

Building a Legacy

“The biggest thing about Turning Pointe that is so special is that our focus is on bringing the gospel through dance.” Kaylin said, “It’s very special because I grew up dancing at Turning Pointe, so my love of dance was always deeply connected to my faith, and I want that for these students as they’re performing to be able to connect their faith with their dancing and use their body as art to glorify the Lord.”

Since 1999, Turning Pointe School of Dance has been fostering a faith-based dance community in Holland. This weekend, the dancers will take the stage once again to spread the message of the gospel. “It is really vulnerable to do what these kids are doing on stage. Portraying this really deep story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. There are a lot of different emotions that the students go through, portraying this as well.” And overall, Kaylin shared that she hopes, “the audience sees [their vulnerability] and connects with it and ultimately gives the glory back to the Lord.”

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