Kathryn J. Schulte

Kathryn J. Schulte has made it her life’s work to provide quality dance instruction in the Grand Valley. She founded Dance Works in 1980 with the vision of creating a well-rounded dance program at an affordable price so that she could spread the joys of dance throughout the community. Kathryn began her dance training right here in Grand Junction from Joanne Gardner. She majored in ballet at the University of Utah under the direction of William Christensen and performed with the Utah Civic Ballet. She transferred to the University of Colorado and studied under Larry Boyette, Nancy Spanier, and Charlotte Irey. After graduating with a degree in dance she moved to San Francisco and was accepted as a company member in the Pacific Ballet Company. Kathryn has and continues to attend master classes with countless legendary teachers and choreographers including Gus Giordano, Luigi, Joe Tremaine, Karen Hebert, Patricia Dickinson, Dolly Kelepecz, Mia Michaels, Frank Hatchett and others.

Kathryn has touched countless lives with her devotion to dance, both as a performer and a teacher. Within her 32 years in business, Kathryn has seen generations of students waltz through the doors of Dance Works. Her commitment to her students has always been exceptional from her business ethics to her teaching skills. Kathryn has also been the primary seamstress for each of Dance Works’ ballet productions and dance concerts, sewing over 600 costumes each year.

Kathryn was married for 41 years to Terry Schulte, also known as “Papa.” He passed away in February 2016 after a courageous battle with leukemia. Papa loved Dance Works and all the students. Together they have three wonderful daughters: April, Crystal, and Rachel. All of them have had professional dance careers.