Rising above the ‘barre’

Even at a young age, Alyssa Lee said she always knew she wanted to be a dance teacher and own her own studio. At just 19 years old, the young dancer’s dream has come true.

Lee has opened a dance studio, To The Pointe Academy of Dance, in Turkey. At the age of 3, Lee began dancing with Lori Knowles at Lori’s School of Dance, where she learned different dance styles.

“Since I was a little girl, I always said I am going to be a dance teacher and have my own studio,” Lee said, as she was sitting in her newly renovated studio on Railroad Street in Turkey.

Lee was accepted into the dance program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, but opted to not attend the university when she had the opportunity to open a studio in Sampson County.

“I love being able to express myself,” Lee said. “It’s amazing to me to see how much I can help the students grow and become dancers.”

While a student with Knowles, Lee said she assisted in teaching classes. That’s where she earned a greater love for the art.

Lee’s studio is open for students ages 2-18 and in the areas of ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, acrobatics, hip hop, clogging and contemporary and modern. Classes are available for students at all levels.

There are currently about 30 students enrolled in the studio for fall classes, but Lee has been busy teaching summer camp to 18 dancers. There will be a second session of summer camp in August.

While some of the students are those she taught or assisted teaching while at Lori’s School of Dance, many of her students are new. Situated in Turkey, between Sampson and Duplin County, Lee said she felt offering the dance option in that location would allow many students an opportunity to take dance.

Classes will be held Monday-Thursday in the fall, with registration open now through October. For those interested in registering, contact Lee at 910-385-8750.

Lee plans to have a recital in May for her dancers.

In addition to the dance studio, Lee has the hopes of having a dance shoppe where dancers from any studio can come and purchase dance wear, shoes and tights.

Alyssa Lee, owner and teacher at To The Pointe Academy of Dance, works with three summer camp students at her knew studio.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Dance1.jpgAlyssa Lee, owner and teacher at To The Pointe Academy of Dance, works with three summer camp students at her knew studio.

Alyssa Lee, right, beams as she welcomes a group of over 20 to a ribbon cutting officially opening her new business, To The Pointe Academy of Dance, in Turkey. Lee, owner/director/instructor said she was ecstatic about the number of young people she has already signed up for classes and eager to have more join. Pictured with her is Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce director Kaitlin Norris.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Pointe1-1.jpgAlyssa Lee, right, beams as she welcomes a group of over 20 to a ribbon cutting officially opening her new business, To The Pointe Academy of Dance, in Turkey. Lee, owner/director/instructor said she was ecstatic about the number of young people she has already signed up for classes and eager to have more join. Pictured with her is Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce director Kaitlin Norris.

The dance studio is located at 42 Railroad St. in Turkey.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Pointe2-1.jpgThe dance studio is located at 42 Railroad St. in Turkey.