Dance Instructors and Staff

Learn The Right Moves From Us

Dance Works was founded in 1980 by Kathryn J. Schulte. Since its conception, Dance Works has taken pride in providing quality dance instruction and dance classes in the Grand Valley and continues to be the most respected dance studio in Grand Junction. All teachers at Dance Works are well-qualified dance instructors with extensive dance experience.

Kathryn Schulte

Kathryn J. Schulte

Studio Owner, Dance Instructor

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.

Read More
Rachel Hogge

Rachel Hogge

Dance Instructor, Performance Director

Rachel Hogge

Rachel Hogge has been dancing since the age of three, trained primarily by her mother at Dance Works through her childhood and teenage years. She also had the opportunity to study alongside many master choreographers. In middle school, she became a member of the Dance Works Connection and won numerous dance awards at regional and national competitions. She taught jazz and tap classes at Dance Works in 1996-1997 before moving to Fort Collins, CO to attend Colorado State University. Alongside her studies at CSU, Rachel received her EMT-B certification and volunteered with the Poudre Valley Hospital and Poudre Valley Fire Department.

At CSU she received her BA in Health and Exercise Science and Sports Medicine and minor in Anatomy and Neurobiology. After graduating in 2002, Rachel moved to Las Vegas, NV where she was hired by the Tropicana Resort and Casino to dance professionally as a showgirl in the Les Folies Bergere. She was very proud to be part of the longest running show in history! During her professional career in Las Vegas, she had the opportunity dance at several Golden Rainbow events, model, and do promotions for various hotel casinos, corporations, and Las Vegas Monorail.

Read More
April Schulte

April L. Schulte-Barclay

Dance Instructor

April L. Schulte-Barclay

April L. Schulte-Barclay has been dancing since the age of three, training primarily with her mother at Dance Works through her childhood and teenage years. As a sixth grader, April became the youngest member of the Dance Works Connection and won numerous awards at regional and national competitions. In high school she trained for a summer with the David Taylor Dance Company in Denver, Colorado. In college she attended the University of Northern Colorado on a dance scholarship where she danced with their performance troupe and ballet company. She later transfered to Mesa State College to study within a pre-med program. Alongside her studies at MSC, April taught many dance classes at Dance Works and won choreography awards through the dance program at MSC.

She also took a break from her undergraduate program and danced professionally with Jean Ann Ryan Productions in Philadelphia, PA. After graduating Mesa State College with a major in biology and two minors in chemistry and dance, April danced professionally with Greg Thompson Productions in Tunica, MS. Following her professional dance career, April received her masters degree in Oriental medicine, and she now owns Healing Horizons Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine and has received a doctoral degree. April is proud to be teaching at Dance Works alongside her mother and sisters and is enjoying integrating her dance expertise with sports medicine related treatments in her clinic.

Read More
Imagyn

Imagyn Anthony

Dance Instructor

Imagyn Anthony

Check back to learn more about Imagyn!

Read More
Miss Paityn

Paityn Grant

Dance Instructor

Paityn Grant

Miss Paityn is a passionate dance instructor committed to delivering quality instruction while fostering confidence in every student. She has been dancing at Dance Works since she was three years old and closely cherishes the connections and opportunities she has been given, including her home away from home, the various dance competition honors, and dancing various roles in our studios full production ballet's. Currently pursuing a degree in Marketing Communications at CMU, she aspires to open a professional pointe shoe fitting company in Grand Junction, Colorado. As a proud member of ΓΦΒ, Miss Paityn embraces their mission of "Building Strong Girls" and dedicates herself not only to her own growth within the dance community but also to the success and development of her team and students. Through her experience as a dancer, she understands how dance has the ability to cultivate discipline, resilience, self-confidence, and creativity among all dancers, which are all qualities that align closely with the mission. She strives to help her students develop these strengths both on and off the stage as it builds not just the strength within young girls but the confidence to support other dancers and showcase what it truly means to be a dancer, dedicated and encouraging for those around them.

Read More
Mia Moore

Mia Moore

Dance Instructor

Mia Moore

Check back to learn more about Mia!

Read More
RubyJean Dance Works Instructor Grand Junction, Colorado

RubyJean Schulte

Dance Instructor

RubyJean Schulte

Dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—it’s truly in my blood. With over a decade of experience, I’ve grown up not only dancing, but living and breathing the art form. What makes this journey even more special is that I’m following in the footsteps of my family. My grandmother, Kathryn Schulte, is the founder and owner of Dance Works, and I’m incredibly proud to carry on her legacy by teaching here.

I’ve trained in a wide variety of styles and love exploring all genres of dance, but I’m especially passionate about hip hop and jazz. Whether I’m performing, choreographing, or teaching, my goal is always to inspire my students, share my love for movement, and create a space where they can grow, express themselves, and have fun.

Dance has shaped who I am, and I’m so excited to share that passion with the next generation.

Read More
Miss Alina

Alina Liles

Dance Instructor

Alina Liles

Alina Liles has been dancing with Dance Works for the past 13 years, cultivating a deep passion for the art form. Her favorite style is ballet—not only because it builds the strongest foundation of technique, but also because she finds it to be the most beautiful expression of movement. Beyond the studio, Alina loves theatre and performing in all its forms.

Read More

Non-Traditional Instructors and Staff


Heidi Marie

Heidi Marie

Belly Dance Instructor

Heidi Marie

Heidi believes that belly dance is medicine, and it brings her great joy to share it with other women. Connection with the breath, movement and the physical form provides us with a path to find the flow state, heal the body, and clear our energy. She began dancing in 2000, and continues to this day. She has traveled much over the years to study dance and teach workshops. Some of her more notable dance influences have been Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Carolina Nericcio, and Mardi Love. She is teacher certified in American Tribal Style (ATS) by Carolina Nericcio, and teaches a rotation of ATS and tribal fusion belly dance in the format of regular weekly classes. Bella Rouge Dance Company

Read More
Miss Heather

Heather Perry Witt

Front Desk Administrator

Miss Heather

Please help us welcome Miss Heather to our Dance Works family. Throughout her lifetime, Heather has found solace and inspiration in the dance studio. She returned to her soul space of Colorado as an experienced professional ready to lay down roots and bloom. Heather is blessed with two daughters, a niece, and a close extended family. She enjoys nature walks, water sports, reading, music, Aspen trees, and our winter wonderland. Miss Heather looks forward to contributing to the Dance Works family in her new role as front desk administrator. We are happy to have you, Miss Heather!

Read More

Dr. Sharon

Shimmy Mob

Dr. Sharon

Please check back to learn more about Dr. Sharon and Shimmy Mob!

Read More

Leslie Adams

Dance Magic

Leslie Adams

Please check back to learn more about Leslie Adams!

Read More