photos of Layla as a young dancer and then her senior picture

 Senior Spotlight - Layla

Graduating Seniors
May 21, 2025•2 min read

Class of 2025 Spotlight - Layla

With recital right around the corner, we are shining the spotlight on our graduating seniors one at a time. Today, we're thrilled to celebrate Layla, who will graduate from Jefferson High School! She is a 12-year PSD Dancer and also competed on the Jefferson High School Dance Team for all four years of high school.

This year, Layla is in Advanced Ballet, Pointe, and Jazz. You can see her perform all of those dances, plus a senior solo and the Class of 2025 Senior Dance, at recital in June!

How long have you been dancing?

I have been dancing since I was in first grade, so 12 years!

What is your favorite routine that you've performed?

My favorite dance would have to be "Tribe", it was a jazz dance by Laura and I loved it so much. She really took in our opinions and made the dance unique to us.

Favorite dance memory?

My favorite dance memory would be playing ships and sailors after working hard in class!

Favorite genre of dance (and why)?

Jazz for sure, I love fast paced dances with a lot of energy. And I feel like jazz brings out my personality.

I love dancing at The Pointe because....

Whatever I’m going through, dance has always been a way to get things off my mind. It really helps me reset and keep my mind off of things like homework and other things that might be going on.

What are your plans (as of now) for after high school?

After high school I would like to become a police officer for the CRPD, or I would love to find a way to still involve myself in dance. (Note from Miss Vanessa - since senior information was submitted, Layla auditioned and was selected for the Kirkwood Dance Team, where she'll continue to perform and compete - along with PSD alumna, Kalli Wistrick!)

What advice would you give younger dancers?

Working hard really pays off, and keep your dance friends close. I would also say that nothing in dance is supposed to be easy, and unless you are a robot you also aren’t supposed to get something the first try, It takes practice. So as frustrating as new skills can get, just know that if you keep working, you will eventually get it.

Miss Vanessa is the owner and director of The Pointe School of Dance. She 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.

Vanessa Terrell

Miss Vanessa is the owner and director of The Pointe School of Dance. She 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.

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