About Us
Welcome to our Turning Pointe family- your child's dancing journey starts here!
Turning Pointe School of Dance is based in Haywards Heath, Plumpton and Lewes and is run by Lianne Carter (Principal) and Nisa Carter (Vice Principal) who collectively have over 40 years' teaching experience.
We strive to pass our passion for dance onto our students, through high-quality training in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acro, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. We welcome children aged 18 months all the way up to 18, including teenage beginners.
The school has over 60-years' history in the area and we pride ourselves on nurturing the individual talents of our students to help them achieve their full potential as dancers.
Lianne and Nisa lead a team of 15 wonderful teachers and administrative staff.
Keep reading to find out what makes each of our staff special....
Welcome to our Turning Pointe family- your child's dancing journey starts here!
Turning Pointe School of Dance is based in Haywards Heath, Plumpton and Lewes and is run by Lianne Carter (Principal) and Nisa Carter (Vice Principal) who collectively have over 40 years' teaching experience.
We strive to pass our passion for dance onto our students, through high-quality training in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acro, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. We welcome children aged 18 months all the way up to 18, including teenage beginners.
The school has over 60-years' history in the area and we pride ourselves on nurturing the individual talents of our students to help them achieve their full potential as dancers.
Lianne and Nisa lead a team of 15 wonderful teachers and administrative staff.
Keep reading to find out what makes each of our staff special....
Our Core Values
Our Amazing Teachers and Support Staff
Lianne Carter
Principal
Lianne became Principal in September 2022, having taught for the school since 2005 and been Vice Principal since 2010. It has been her lifelong ambition to own a dance school.
Lianne teaches Modern, Tap, Contemporary and Musical Theatre classes at Turning Pointe and is Licentiate qualified in both Tap and Modern with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).
After completing A-levels in Dance and Performing Arts, Lianne successfully auditioned for a place at Stella Mann Professional College of Performing Arts, where she studied a wide range of dance and theatre styles. After leaving Stella Mann, Lianne started to teach dance at the same time as studying Law at the University of Sussex. Lianne taught both Law A-level and dance for various schools and colleges, before hanging up her 'law hat' to take over as Principal of Turning Pointe.
Dance teaching is Lianne's true vocation and she feels privileged to have taught so many wonderful pupils at Turning Pointe, many of whom have gone on to professional dance training. Lianne particularly enjoys choreographing and producing Turning Pointe show because of the joy that performing onstage brings to the children at the dance school.
Fun fact: Lianne is the proud owner of Turning Pointe's mascot- a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Duke, who has been in the dance studio since he was 8 weeks old!
Nisa Carter
Vice Principal
Nisa was born in Bedfordshire where she trained locally with Julia Hyde and Ann Hallett, before winning a Dance and Drama Award to study at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). While a student at the RAD, Nisa passed vocational exams in ballet, modern and national dance and was gained her Licentiate, the highest teaching award. Over the subsequent 18 years she has taught in a wide variety of settings, teaching dance to children and adults. Some past pupils have gone on to dance with the Royal Ballet School, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet and London Children’s Ballet, amongst others. Nisa is extremely passionate about the supportive, nurturing environment with which dance is taught at Turning Pointe School of Dance and is our lead RAD Ballet teacher as well as being Vice Principal. Nisa is also a Silver Swans licensed teacher.
Her pupils love her attention to detail and the way that she gets the best out of them whilst still being kind and caring. She has a rhyme or a saying for almost every ballet exercise/step, a favourite being 'Pelvis Prestley!'
Fun fact: Miss Nisa comes from a whole family of performers; her sister is a musician, and she has cousins who are opera singers and actors. Her parents were even in a folk band together!
Abbie van den Herik
ISTD Modern and Tap
Intermediate and Senior Performance Team Coach
Miss Abbie teaches ISTD modern and tap and coaches our Intermediate and Senior Performance Teams. She is an absolute firecracker with endless energy and brings so much passion and fun into the studio that even the shyest dancers can’t help but come out of their shells.
Fun fact: As well as being a trained dancer and dance teacher, Miss Abbie is a language expert! She studied Dutch, German, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, French and Italian, and has an MA in Linguistics.
Alice Mitchell
Pre-School Ballet
Alice teaches our Friday morning Pre-School Ballet class in Haywards Heath and is also a modern and tap teacher, as well as a Silver Swans Licensed teacher. She is deeply passionate about inspiring creative expression through dance and is committed to making dance accessible and engaging for students of all ages.
Fun fact: Alice has tripped Cliff Richard up twice! (You will have to ask her to tell you the story!)
Abbie van den Herik
ISTD Modern and Tap
Intermediate and Senior Performance Team Coach
Miss Abbie teaches ISTD modern and tap and coaches our Intermediate and Senior Performance Teams. She is an absolute firecracker with endless energy and brings so much passion and fun into the studio that even the shyest dancers can’t help but come out of their shells.
Fun fact: As well as being a trained dancer and dance teacher, Miss Abbie is a language expert! She studied Dutch, German, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, French and Italian, and has an MA in Linguistics.
Alice Mitchell
Pre-School Ballet
Alice teaches our Friday morning Pre-School Ballet class in Haywards Heath and is also a modern and tap teacher, as well as a Silver Swans Licensed teacher. She is deeply passionate about inspiring creative expression through dance and is committed to making dance accessible and engaging for students of all ages.
Fun fact: Alice has tripped Cliff Richard up twice! (You will have to ask her to tell you the story!)
Emily Wong
RAD Ballet
Miss Emily teaches RAD Ballet classes on Thursdays at Oathall. Emily joined us in April 2024 and has been a real hit with her students! She is known for her kind and calm yet meticulous approach.
Fun Fact: Emily also practises Aikido (a Japanese martial art)
Holly Hicks
Creative Ballet Club at Southover Primary
Miss Holly joined the Turning Pointe team in 2025, teaching our Creative Ballet club at Southover School and is an RAD registered teacher. Holly’s priority is helping all students to maximise their potential within a supportive atmosphere, allowing all to discover a passion for dance.
Fun fact: Holly has a three-legged dog called Scooter.
Emily Wong
RAD Ballet
Miss Emily teaches RAD Ballet classes on Thursdays at Oathall. Emily joined us in April 2024 and has been a real hit with her students! She is known for her kind and calm yet meticulous approach.
Fun Fact: Emily also practises Aikido (a Japanese martial art)
Holly Hicks
Creative Ballet Club at Southover Primary
Miss Holly joined the Turning Pointe team in 2025, teaching our Creative Ballet club at Southover School and is an RAD registered teacher. Holly’s priority is helping all students to maximise their potential within a supportive atmosphere, allowing all to discover a passion for dance.
Fun fact: Holly has a three-legged dog called Scooter.
Emily Wong
RAD Ballet
Miss Emily teaches RAD Ballet classes on Thursdays at Oathall. Emily joined us in April 2024 and has been a real hit with her students! She is known for her kind and calm yet meticulous approach.
Fun Fact: Emily also practises Aikido (a Japanese martial art)
Holly Hicks
Creative Ballet Club at Southover Primary
Miss Holly joined the Turning Pointe team in 2025, teaching our Creative Ballet club at Southover School and is an RAD registered teacher. Holly’s priority is helping all students to maximise their potential within a supportive atmosphere, allowing all to discover a passion for dance.
Fun fact: Holly has a three-legged dog called Scooter.
Jess Eagle
Pre-School Ballet | RAD Ballet | ISTD Modern and Tap
Teaching our pre-school ballet classes on Monday afternoons and Tuesday mornings, as well as RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern and Tap classes, Miss Jess is simply adored by her pupils and captivates their attention with her fun ideas.
Fun fact- Miss Jess used to be a cheerleader at university and her team won the national championships!
Katherine Bushell
Pre-School Ballet | RAD Ballet
Miss Katherine teaches RAD Ballet classes on Wednesdays in Plumpton and Thursdays in Lewes. She has amazing attention to detail, and loves to teach her students about the different bones and muscles involved in ballet, using our very own TP skeleton- Bony Bill!
As well as dancing, Katherine is amazing at crochet and sewing, and gets roped in to help Lianne and Nisa with show costumes.
Fun fact: Katherine also loves rock music and regularly goes to see her favourite bands play.
Jess Eagle
Pre-School Ballet | RAD Ballet | ISTD Modern and Tap
Teaching our pre-school ballet classes on Monday afternoons and Tuesday mornings, as well as RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern and Tap classes, Miss Jess is simply adored by her pupils and captivates their attention with her fun ideas.
Fun fact- Miss Jess used to be a cheerleader at university and her team won the national championships!
Katherine Bushell
Pre-School Ballet | RAD Ballet
Miss Katherine teaches RAD Ballet classes on Wednesdays in Plumpton and Thursdays in Lewes. She has amazing attention to detail, and loves to teach her students about the different bones and muscles involved in ballet, using our very own TP skeleton- Bony Bill!
As well as dancing, Katherine is amazing at crochet and sewing, and gets roped in to help Lianne and Nisa with show costumes.
Fun fact: Katherine also loves rock music and regularly goes to see her favourite bands play.
Jess Eagle
Pre-School Ballet | RAD Ballet | ISTD Modern and Tap
Teaching our pre-school ballet classes on Monday afternoons and Tuesday mornings, as well as RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern and Tap classes, Miss Jess is simply adored by her pupils and captivates their attention with her fun ideas.
Fun fact- Miss Jess used to be a cheerleader at university and her team won the national championships!
Katherine Bushell
Pre-School Ballet | RAD Ballet
Miss Katherine teaches RAD Ballet classes on Wednesdays in Plumpton and Thursdays in Lewes. She has amazing attention to detail, and loves to teach her students about the different bones and muscles involved in ballet, using our very own TP skeleton- Bony Bill!
As well as dancing, Katherine is amazing at crochet and sewing, and gets roped in to help Lianne and Nisa with show costumes.
Fun fact: Katherine also loves rock music and regularly goes to see her favourite bands play.
Katie Large
RAD Ballet | ISTD Modern and Tap
Miss Katie teaches RAD ballet classes on Fridays at Plumpton, and also coaches ISTD modern and tap exam students. Katie was originally a pupil of Turning Pointe at the same time as Miss Lianne! They danced in several shows together, including the Nutcracker in 2002. Her super-power is organisation, which comes in very handy backstage at our shows!
Fun fact- Katie is currently training to be a nutritionist, which she hopes to do alongside dance teaching.
Katie Marcham
ISTD Modern and Tap
Miss Katie teaches our tap and modern classes on Wednesdays in Plumpton. Katie joined the Turning Pointe team in 2024 and was part of the creative team for our production of the Nutcracker in December. All of her students absolutely love her.
Fun fact: Miss Katie danced at the Olympics opening ceremony in 2012 and has also been in a Bollywood film!
Katie Large
RAD Ballet | ISTD Modern and Tap
Miss Katie teaches RAD ballet classes on Fridays at Plumpton, and also coaches ISTD modern and tap exam students. Katie was originally a pupil of Turning Pointe at the same time as Miss Lianne! They danced in several shows together, including the Nutcracker in 2002. Her super-power is organisation, which comes in very handy backstage at our shows!
Fun fact- Katie is currently training to be a nutritionist, which she hopes to do alongside dance teaching.
Katie Marcham
ISTD Modern and Tap
Miss Katie teaches our tap and modern classes on Wednesdays in Plumpton. Katie joined the Turning Pointe team in 2024 and was part of the creative team for our production of the Nutcracker in December. All of her students absolutely love her.
Fun fact: Miss Katie danced at the Olympics opening ceremony in 2012 and has also been in a Bollywood film!
Katie Large
RAD Ballet | ISTD Modern and Tap
Miss Katie teaches RAD ballet classes on Fridays at Plumpton, and also coaches ISTD modern and tap exam students. Katie was originally a pupil of Turning Pointe at the same time as Miss Lianne! They danced in several shows together, including the Nutcracker in 2002. Her super-power is organisation, which comes in very handy backstage at our shows!
Fun fact- Katie is currently training to be a nutritionist, which she hopes to do alongside dance teaching.
Katie Marcham
ISTD Modern and Tap
Miss Katie teaches our tap and modern classes on Wednesdays in Plumpton. Katie joined the Turning Pointe team in 2024 and was part of the creative team for our production of the Nutcracker in December. All of her students absolutely love her.
Fun fact: Miss Katie danced at the Olympics opening ceremony in 2012 and has also been in a Bollywood film!
Maddie De Sylva
Preschool Ballet | RAD Ballet
Senior Contemporary
Miss Maddie teaches our ballet classes on Saturday mornings at Ashenground Community Centre, as well as Senior Contemporary at Oathall. Maddie is loved by her pupils, young and older, and has a kind and patient nature with a great sense of humour.
Maddie has danced with Turning Pointe since she was 3 years old, and continues to enjoy lessons for herself alongside her teaching.
Fun fact: Maddie is a massive concert fan and has been to see Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande and Beyonce!
Sophia Bolton
Acrobatic Arts | ISTD Modern
Junior Performance Team Coach
Miss Sophia teaches modern and acro classes for Turning Pointe and coaches our Junior Performance Team. She enjoys supporting students to reach their full potential in a collaborative, supportive and creative environment.
Fun fact: Sophia learnt how to fire breath when she was 18!
Maddie De Sylva
Preschool Ballet | RAD Ballet
Senior Contemporary
Miss Maddie teaches our ballet classes on Saturday mornings at Ashenground Community Centre, as well as Senior Contemporary at Oathall. Maddie is loved by her pupils, young and older, and has a kind and patient nature with a great sense of humour.
Maddie has danced with Turning Pointe since she was 3 years old, and continues to enjoy lessons for herself alongside her teaching.
Fun fact: Maddie is a massive concert fan and has been to see Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande and Beyonce!
Sophia Bolton
Acrobatic Arts | ISTD Modern
Junior Performance Team Coach
Miss Sophia teaches modern and acro classes for Turning Pointe and coaches our Junior Performance Team. She enjoys supporting students to reach their full potential in a collaborative, supportive and creative environment.
Fun fact: Sophia learnt how to fire breath when she was 18!
Maddie De Sylva
Preschool Ballet | RAD Ballet
Senior Contemporary
Miss Maddie teaches our ballet classes on Saturday mornings at Ashenground Community Centre, as well as Senior Contemporary at Oathall. Maddie is loved by her pupils, young and older, and has a kind and patient nature with a great sense of humour.
Maddie has danced with Turning Pointe since she was 3 years old, and continues to enjoy lessons for herself alongside her teaching.
Fun fact: Maddie is a massive concert fan and has been to see Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande and Beyonce!
Sophia Bolton
Acrobatic Arts | ISTD Modern
Junior Performance Team Coach
Miss Sophia teaches modern and acro classes for Turning Pointe and coaches our Junior Performance Team. She enjoys supporting students to reach their full potential in a collaborative, supportive and creative environment.
Fun fact: Sophia learnt how to fire breath when she was 18!
Get In Touch
Please complete the enquiry form below if you’re interested in booking a class and we will get back to you as soon as possible! If you would prefer to chat to someone over the phone, you can call us on 07947 803105 or email [email protected] and arrange for someone to call you back.
Please complete the enquiry form below if you’re interested in booking a class and we will get back to you as soon as possible! If you would prefer to chat to someone over the phone, you can call us on 07947 803105 or email [email protected] and arrange for someone to call you back.
Copyright @ Turning Pointe School of Dance
Website By Dance Business Solutions
Copyright @ Turning Pointe School of Dance
Website By Dance Business Solutions