Meet The TP Team
Founders, Studio Owners, Instructors
The Miss Erins
Our Instructors are here to create a nurturing atmosphere where technique is taught and creativity is explored.
Erin Lee
Founder, Studio Owner, Instructor
Birthday: September 25
When not at Turning Pointe, At a kids’ sporting event, at home with family, or at the grocery store.
Fun Fact: I got engaged in Disney World under the Fireworks.
Erin Lee began her dance training at the age of three under the direction of Kathy Thomas-Law, former member of the Atlanta Ballet. She became a member of Praise in Motion Dance Ministry in 1993. During college, Erin continued her ballet training with En Pointe School of Dance and the University of Georgia.
After substituting for En Pointe intermittently through her college career, Erin joined the staff of En Pointe in 2003, and later, Discipleship through Dance, an outreach of Praise In Motion. During her 20+ years with Praise In Motion, Erin has had the opportunity to perform for various church functions and charities such the Atlanta Hunger Walk and Wellspring Living. Erin continues to be involved Praise in Motion’s biyearly concerts and has had the honor of several choreography opportunities with Praise in Motion. Although Erin’s first love is ballet, she also has experience in hip hop, modern and jazz.
“Miss” Erin, as her students call her, has enjoyed 15 years of teaching ages three years to adult and she has also had the privilege of leading dance groups at various organizations. In 2012, Erin began directing Celebration Arts, a ministry of Celebration Church. And in 2016, Erin achieved her purpose in opening Turning Pointe School of Dance. Her desire is to instill into dancers of all ages a yearning for excellence in technique, but more importantly, to focus on the child as a whole person.
Erin Dunbar
Founder, Studio Owner, Instructor
Birthday: February 1
When not at Turning Pointe, I am spending time with my husband and daughter, trying out a new restaurant, or planning our next trip.
Fun Fact: I have visited 12 different countries. I love to travel!
Erin Dunbar began dancing at the age of 3. Her dance education and training encompasses a wide variety of schools and instructors. Much of her early training was at Buford School of Ballet under the direction of Bernadette Campbell. Erin was very active in the Mill Creek High School dance department and competitive dance team under the direction of Suzanne Kross. During this time Erin was awarded two summers of concentrated professional dance instruction. In 2005, Erin was selected to study at the Virginia School of Art Summer Intensive Program. In 2008, Erin was one of 12 dancers selected to attend the Georgia Governors Honors Summer Program.
Erin pursued her passion of human movement by attending Auburn University where she received a Bachelor’s of Exercise Science Degree in Kinesiology. She also completed a Group Exercise Certification and Personal Training Certification. Erin held the title of Wellness Director and Fine Arts Director at the YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont from 2014-2016 where she directed the Aerobics Instructors, Personal Trainers, Special Events, taught dance classes, as well as orchestrated and choreographed multiple dance recitals.
Erin has dance education and performance experience in areas of ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, and tap. She has been sharing her love for and knowledge of dance with children since 2007. In 2016, Erin opened Turning Pointe School of Dance where she fulfills her passion every day by making dance fun for and accessible to all.
Michelle Mitchell
Studio Admin
My Birthday: September 27
When not at Turning Pointe, I am spending time with family and friends. I absolutely love going to the mountains, especially in the fall.
Fun Fact: I'm from Texas 😁 ok, I’m really from New Mexico.
Dawn Kopoulos
Studio Admin
My Birthday: August 23
When not at Turning Pointe, I am spending time with my husband, children, and grandchildren. You can usually find me reading or drawing.
Fun Fact: I like to take road trips. I once drove from Massachusetts to Washington to California back to Massachusetts with my daughter and dog. Stopping in different states along the way!
Victoria Blount
Studio Admin
My Birthday: May 15
When not at Turning Pointe, I’m hanging with my husband and little besties (my children) Knox and Kennedy or teaching a dental assisting class!
Fun Fact: I love the beach but scared of the ocean! No deep sea fishing or cruises for me! I’ve also watched every episode of Greys Anatomy more than once!
Mary Schaefer
Instructor: Twinkle Stars, Darby's Dancers, Mini + Me, Ballet, Pointe, PAC
My Birthday: May 3
When not at Turning Pointe, I am at the gym or enjoying the outdoors.
3 statements describing my dance background: 1. My favorite styles of dance are classical ballet, pointe, and modern. 2. I started dancing at the age of 9 with most of my training at En Pointe School of Dance as a member of Praise In Motion Dance Company and then as a member of Gainesville Ballet Company. 3. I seek to express my creativity and love of the arts through the next generation of dancers.
Fun Fact: I love to adopt dogs. :)
Lauren Hughes
Instructor: Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, PAC
My Birthday: March 28
When not at Turning Pointe, I am derby skating or hiking.
3 statements describing my dance background: 1. Growing up I danced competition tap, jazz and hip hop. 2. I graduated from Brenau University with a Dance Degree. 3. I was on the Brenau Competition Dance Team.
Fun Fact: I have a dod and I love teaching her new tricks!
Kaylyn Elrod
Instructor: Twinkle Stars, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Tap and Jazz
My Birthday: June 14
When not at Turning Pointe, I am Golfing, Painting, or Crafting!
3 statements describing my dance background: 1. My training is in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and modern 2. I have been dancing for 19 years 3. My favorite performance was at Ballet Fest in Atlanta
Fun Fact: My name is originated from my mom and grandma.
Alexis Smith
Instructor: Ballet, Lyrical
My Birthday: May 30
When not at Turning Pointe, I'm most likely reading or going for a walk with my dogs.
3 statements that describe my dance background: 1. I’ve trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, and jazz. My favorites are contemporary and ballet. 2. I started dancing when I was 4 became a competition dancer at 10 years old. 3. My favorite role I’ve had was Arabian Queen in the Nutcracker!
Fun Fact: I’m trying to teach myself how to do embroidery and cross-stitching!
Lindsey Thrash
Instructor: Ballet
My Birthday: August 30
When not at Turning Pointe, I'm spending time with my husband, three daughters, and golden retriever, or working as a nurse with new mamas and babies.
3 statements that describe my dance background:
Fun Fact: Ariel is my favorite princess… maybe it’s the red hair :)
Maria Ellis
Instructor: Twinkle Star, Ballet
My Birthday: September 24
When not at Turning Pointe, at Celebration Academy or with my kids.
3 statements that describe my dance background:
Fun Fact: My kids and I share a birthday week. We are all just a few days apart.
Caroline Elinburg
Instructor: Twinkle Stars, Elementary Ballet
My Birthday: March 25
When not at Turning Pointe, I am most likely helping with my church kiddos!
3 statements that describe my dance background: 1. I have danced a total of 10 years, 4 of them with Turning Pointe! 2. All of my dance life has been centered around ballet and pointe, followed by lyrical and jazz, 3. My favorite embodiment of dance is getting to portray a character and dance them to life!
Fun Fact: I have had 12 different addresses since birth.
Tessa Hanley
Instructor: Twinkle Stars
My Birthday: February 26
When not at Turning Pointe, I'm doing hair and make up! I'm a master cosmetologist. I have clients on my off days and run a cosmetology camp for teens in the summer.
3 statements that describe my dance background: 1. My mother studied dance as a young adult so every weekend since I was 2 was spent learning dance routines and practicing choreography in my living room. 2. I went to a Praise Performing Arts Dance Program in New Jersey. 3. I specialize in praise dance and have experience in hip hop, ballet, jazz, African, and lyrical.
Fun Fact: I am number 7 out of 10 siblings. I have 5 brothers and 4 sisters!
Renee Pauley
Guest Instructor: Eleve PAC Program
My Birthday: June 27
Renee Pauley is a talented and accomplished master ballet teacher currently sharing her love of ballet
through master classes and privates. She began her passion for the art at age three in Atlanta, GA. As a young dancer, Renee studied with the Atlanta School of Ballet and performed in several productions of the Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker, attended the Royal Academy of Ballet summer ballet program in London, England, and
performed at SERBA (Southeast Regional Ballet Association), where she was selected to dance at the Young Choreographer’s Workshop in New York. As a young profession and scholarship apprentice with the Atlanta Ballet, Renee performed in productions of The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Carmen. She then danced as a soloist with the Northwest Florida Ballet, where she performed in The Nutcracker before an injury led to early retirement. Since then, Renee has instructed intermediate to advanced competition students in ballet technique and Pilates. Teaching online and in studio has allowed her to broaden her teaching avenue to include Master Classes and privates across the Southeast and Midwest. When not teaching, Renee and her
husband spend time with their adult children or riding their horses around the countryside.
