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Behind the Scenes - Why We Have Intersessional Breaks at The Pointe

October 16, 20252 min read

Why We Have Intersessional Breaks at The Pointe

At The Pointe School of Dance, our calendar is thoughtfully designed to balance consistency in training, time for family, and opportunities for growth, both for our students and our staff. One key feature of our schedule is our intersessional breaks throughout the year.

These short breaks might look like “extra time off” on the calendar, but they actually serve several important purposes that help make the entire dance season run smoothly and effectively.


⚖️ Equal Class Time for All Dancers

We want every class — no matter what day of the week it meets — to have the same number of lessons each season. Because some fall on specific weekdays, some classes would otherwise lose valuable instruction time. Our intersessional breaks help us balance the schedule so that every class has the same number of scheduled meetings over the course of the year.

It’s part of our commitment to fairness, consistency, and value for every family.


👩‍🏫 Professional Growth for Our Staff

We believe great teaching requires ongoing learning. Intersessional breaks give our instructors time for in-season training, staff meetings, curriculum work, and professional development without taking away from student class time.

This behind-the-scenes work ensures that our teachers come back refreshed, inspired, and ready to give each class their best.


🎭 Focused Rehearsal Time for Special Performances

Certain times of year bring exciting performance opportunities — like The Nutcracker and other special events. Intersessional breaks create space in our calendar for focused rehearsals and production prep so that performance groups can work intensively when needed, without disrupting regular class schedules.

It’s one of the ways we make sure performance experiences are positive and well-organized for everyone involved.


💕 Time for Family, Rest, and Balance

Dance is a big part of our students’ lives, but it’s not the only part! We build in intersessional breaks around key times in the year so that dancers and families can enjoy rest, travel, and other activities without falling behind. Our PSD Values Poster right inside the front door starts with "Family First" - we believe that and try to live by it!

We want our dancers to return to class feeling refreshed, creative, and excited to dance - not burnt out or over-scheduled.


🌟 Intersessional Breaks = Intentional Balance

Every choice in our studio calendar is made with care. Intersessional breaks allow us to:
✅ Keep class counts consistent and fair
✅ Support our teachers’ growth and organization
✅ Prepare for special performances
✅ Give families breathing room throughout the year

They’re a reflection of what we value most at The Pointe: quality, balance, and community - both in and out of the studio.

blog author image

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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“We have a boy and a girl that both very much look forward to going to class. The staff, instructors and assistants are very invested in them having fun, learning and feeling good about themselves. I have received quick responses and advice when needed. We are not a face in the crowd, but a part of a dance family.”

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225 Northland Court NE, Cedar Rapids IA 52402-6200

Front Desk Hours

Monday - Thursday: 4:30PM - 8:30PM

Friday: by appointment

Saturday: 9:00AM - Noon

Closed on holidays and Sundays

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What is your refund policy?

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How do I schedule a trial class?

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What is your class make-up policy?

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What is your refund policy?

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Dance with us today!

Our studio is driven to provide professional and experienced dance instruction for your dancer in a safe, innovative and enriching environment. Schedule a complimentary trial today and see for yourself why parents love TPSD.

Front Desk Hours

Monday - Thursday: 4:30PM - 8:30PM

Friday: by appointment

Saturday: 9:00AM - Noon

Closed on holidays and Sundays

225 Northland Court NE, Cedar Rapids IA 52402-6200

Telephone:  (319) 302-3880

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