Our Team

Vanessa Terrell

Director

Miss Vanessa has been sharing her passion for dance and mentorship with students for over 10 years.  In addition to teaching at the studio, Vanessa has taught and choreographed for a variety of dance programs and performing groups throughout Iowa.  Her choreography has won several “Best Choreography” and “Judges Choice” awards.  She is the founder and director of The Pointe School of Dance.  Vanessa is also the founder of The Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization.  In addition to her work at the studio, she is dedicated to improving the dance industry by serving as a Certified Coach for Youth Protection Association for Dance and More Than Just Great Dancing.  Outside of her work, Vanessa lives with her husband, Dan, who is a band director at Linn-Mar High School and their son, Ray.

Contact Vanessa at: [email protected] 

Laura Goeing

Studio Operations Manager

Miss Laura has been teaching at The Pointe since the very beginning!  She is a skilled teacher for every age group and genre of dance.  Laura earned her degree in Dance from Southeast Missouri State in May 2014.  Her dance and choreography experience includes all genres of dance at the studio in addition to competing on high school and collegiate dance teams.  Laura also serves as our Studio Operations Manager – helping organize performances, supporting our teachers, and managing the administrative work needed to keep the studio running smoothly day-to-day.  She is YPAD Certified and has completed multiple dance teacher training programs.

Contact Laura at: [email protected] 

Katie Terrell

Front Desk Manager

Miss Katie Terrell is our Front Desk Manager, an incredible instructor, and our dance camp coordinator!  Our students and families LOVE seeing Miss Katie at the front desk and in classes.  She grew up dancing in Boone, Iowa, and danced through college at the University of Northern Iowa, performing with the student-led International Dance Theatre.  Katie also works as a behavioral associate in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.  Katie is YPAD Certified and has completed More Than Just Great Dancing’s Teacher Training and Manager Training programs.

Contact Katie at: [email protected]

Demetra Chiafos

Company Coordinator

Miss Demetra grew up dancing at the studio, as well as additional independent training and prestigious ballet summer intensives.  Most recently, she graduated from The Ohio State University (2020) with her BFA in Dance with a focus in Performance and Composition, for which she received Research Distinction, and her BA in Japanese. Demetra earned her MA in Japanese Translation at SOAS University of London (online due to COVID) while teaching at The Pointe!  She has extensive training in all styles of dance and is a gifted teacher for any age group.  Demetra is YPAD Certified.

Contact Demetra at: [email protected]

Katie Thul

Instructor

Miss Katie grew up dancing at the studio, and brings her love of dance and working with kids into every class she teaches.  Katie has training and teaching experience in every style of dance.  Katie teaches all ages and styles, and is one of our Company coaches.  She is an elementary school teacher and dance team coach for the Marion Independent School District.  Katie is YPAD Certified and has completed More Than Just Great Dancing’s Teacher Training program.

Contact Katie at: [email protected]

Kara Bullerman

Instructor

Miss Kara is a skilled teacher for every age group, and specializes in tap.  Her favorite part of teaching is watching her students grow as dancers.  In addition to teaching classes, Kara also participates in the adult dance classes available at The Pointe.  Outside of the studio, Miss Kara is an attorney.  She has many roles at the studio – instructor, dance mom to two young dancers, and serves as the President of The Pointe Foundation’s board.  Kara is determined to help bring the benefits of dance to as many kids in our area as possible.  She is YPAD Certified and has completed More Than Just Great Dancing’s Teacher Training Program.

Contact Kara at: [email protected]

Christine Tygart

Instructor

Miss Christine has extensive training in all styles of dance– growing up dancing at the studio and dancing through college at the University of Iowa. She is a skilled teacher for all age groups and styles of dance. Christine is also one of our Company Coaches who works closely with and choreographs for our competitive dancers. Christine is a Physical Therapist Assistant and brings her advanced knowledge about developing healthy athletes and injury prevention to every class. Outside of the studio and work, she is a coach for the Marion High School Varsity Poms. Christine is YPAD, CPR, and First Aid certified and has completed More Than Just Great Dancing’s Teacher Training Program.

Contact Christine at: [email protected]

Savanah Cosgrove

Instructor

Miss Savanah grew up at the studio and trained in all styles of dance – tap and lyrical were her favorites. She was actively involved in competition teams for six years and has attended numerous competitions, master classes, and conventions.  At the studio, she was a Teaching Assistant for several years working with dancers of all ages.  Students love Miss Savanah’s upbeat & fun classes!  She is a veteran teacher with experience teaching a variety of age groups and styles of dance.  Savanah is YPAD Certified and has completed More Than Just Great Dancing’s Teacher Training program.

Contact Savanah at: [email protected]

Claire Stevens

Instructor

Miss Claire is a student at The University of Iowa studying Elementary Education with a minor in Dance. She danced competitively at The Pointe while she was a student here. In 2018, Miss Claire was also in high school dance team and show choir for 4 years and performed at UDA Nationals and Show Choir Nationals.  Claire is also a captain for The University of Iowa’s dance marathon where we dance and fight for kids with pediatric cancer. She has always had a passion for working with children, and can’t wait to help them find their love for dance!  Claire is YPAD Certified and completed the More Than Just Great Dancing Teacher Training program.

Contact Claire at: [email protected]

Beth Tygart

Instructor

Beth grew up dancing in Omaha, Nebraska, and continued dancing in college at the University of Iowa.  She has been teaching dance since 1992, and both daughters danced competitively and now teach dance as well (Miss Christine is an instructor at The Pointe, and Nicole teaches dance in Dubuque!).  Beth is an experienced teacher for all ages and styles of dance, and tap is her favorite style to teach!  She is YPAD Certified and has completed More Than Just Great Dancing’s Teacher Training program.

Contact Beth at: [email protected] 

Denise Wedel

Instructor

Miss Denise has experience performing and teaching all styles of dance, including ballroom and Latin!  She leads our “Chance To Dance” program at The Pointe – providing an opportunity for dance classes for students with special needs.  Denise is committed to bringing the joy of dancing to all of her students.  Dancers love her  Outside of the studio, she is paraeducator for students with special needs through the Grant Wood AEA. Denise is YPAD Certified and has completed More Than Just Great Dancing’s Teacher Training program.

Contact Denise at: [email protected]

Carly Parkison

Instructor

Miss Carly is a recent graduate of the studio and Prairie High School.  While at The Pointe, Carly was a member of our Student Teacher Education Program and Company.  She is so excited to teach!  Carly attends Kirkwood Community College and continues to perform and compete on the Kirkwood Dance Team.

Contact Carly at: [email protected]

Kylie Anderson

Instructor

Miss Kylie is a recent graduate of Prairie High School and the studio.  While at The Pointe, Kylie was a member of Company and our Student Teacher Education Program.  She is thrilled to join our team of teachers!  Kylie attends Kirkwood Community College and is continuing to perform and compete on the Kirkwood Dance Team.

Contact Kylie at: [email protected]

Grace Beaty

Instructor

Miss Grace began dancing at the studio at just three years old! She was heavily involved in technique classes as well as the studio’s competition team through high school graduation in 2021. Since then, she has earned her AA at Kirkwood Community College and transferred to the University of Iowa to complete Bachelors degrees in Political Science and Criminology, Law, and Justice. Grace is set to graduate next spring with hopes to attend Iowa’s Law program. While in college, Grace has continued dancing through classes at the University. Her favorite styles of dance are hip hop, tap, and jazz. She is excited to join the teaching team at The Pointe!

Contact Grace at: [email protected]