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get 2 know: molly yates

3/21/2019

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Many of my students and even fellow teachers at Nolte knew me as Nora, Grant and Dylan’s mom, or their wacky neighbor, before they knew me as a dance teacher. I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2002 with a degree in both dance and journalism and worked in both fields in various states for the next 16 years before joining Nolte’s staff this year.

Get 2 Know Molly! 



​Growing up, I was a country kid in small-town Iowa who enjoyed running barefoot in the yard (I still do that), climbing trees (I'll pass on this now) and mushroom hunting in the timber (I still do this too!) My childhood instilled a love of nature in my life! If you visit my current house in the spring or summer you’ll find a chicken coop filled with sassy hens and fresh eggs, a huge garden and a young fruit orchard. I love working outdoors when I’m not working with students! I caught the dance and tumbling bug at age seven. One thing most kids don’t know about my dancing is that I’m actually a state champion clogger! My competitive dance group’s clogging routine was selected as a state champion in the Sprouts division at the Bill Riley Talent Show at the Iowa State Fair in 1996! It was a moment I’ll never forget though I have since forgotten most of my clogging skills! I still love stopping at the Bill Riley stage to catch a few acts when I take my kids to the Iowa State Fair. 


Another interesting part of my life story that most people don’t know is that my mom actually set my husband and I up on a blind date in Iowa City 17 years ago! My husband Jarrod was working with my mom at the time in Mercy Iowa City’s emergency room department. She gave him my number and we met at what was Mondo’s Tomato Pie (now Reunion Brewery) for a blind date. One year and a few months later we were married and over the next several years we moved to Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit, where I furthered my dance education and taught at competitive dance studios that are still near and dear to my heart.

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ALumni Spotlight: Katherine Milani

3/15/2019

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Katherine Milani is currently residing in New York City while pursuing her dancing career. Recently, she has been given a full scholarship to attend the Rockettes Summer Intensive Invitational session. This means she'll spend a week learning Rockette choreography, work closely with current Rockettes, and will perform at the end of the week. Katherine has also been asked to assist the Rockettes with 4 weeks of their Summer Intensive, working closely with the Rockettes to help teach and assist the other dancers attending the program.

On top of her recent accomplishment with the Rockettes, attending Broadway open dance calls and taking dance classes, she also teaches Pilates and babysits in her spare time. Some days she is juggling 2-3 dance classes and well as 4-6 hours of Pilates and babysitting all in one day. 

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"The discipline I gained in my training at Nolte Academy helped prepare me for a busy career in trying to be a professional dancer in New York City." Said Katherine. 

Following her time at Nolte, Katherine attended Park Point University for three years where she received her BFA in Dance. She then moved to New York City where she trained at the Martha Graham School. While there, there she also received a Pilates certification.

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​Looking back, Katherine remembers her time at Nolte fondly. Her experiences while being involved in Affect were some that she'll never forget. "From the routines, to the people, to the treats that Kim Villhauer made for us all, they were weekend that we all spent together doing what we loved."

She also credits Nolte Academy and the teachers for the different skills that she takes to her dancing career now. "Leslie Nolte has been more than just a. director and teacher," said Katherine, "she has been a true role model and inspiration for the person and dancer I hope to become."

Finally, Katherine offered a piece of advice to current current Nolte dancers. "Never give up, always stay humble, dream the biggest dreams and reach for them." She said, "If you put in the time the work and the effort, you can accomplish your wildest dreams." ​​

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get 2 know: HALEY MILLER

3/13/2019

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Haley teaches tap and jazz levels 1-4. This is also her first year as an Affect Choreographer! 



Get 2 Know Haley!
 

Next year I will be going to college at Luther in Decorah, Iowa. I plan on majoring in elementary education and dancing at Luther as well. After college, I plan to be a kindergarten teacher! I’ve always loved kids, especially kids at the kindergarten age. I can’t wait to start teaching my own class and hope to move back to Iowa City to teach after college graduation!


A few of my favorite things include: the beach, chocolate, and my favorite color is teal! The Outer Banks is my family and I’s favorite place to go when we go on vacation to the beach. Being able to relax and having the water steps away is awesome!

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affect at celebrity ames

3/12/2019

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overalls #1 - highest scores

​Intermediate Duets/Trios:
1- L.O.V.E., Audrie Dowdle, Gabe Johnson, Molly Miller
Senior Solos:
4- Floating, Katie Granner
3- Waiting Game, Hannah Lederman
Senior Duets/Trios:
3- Faking Bright, Anna Dreusicke, Gwyneth Durian, Haley Miller
1- Broken, Izzy and Emma Bach
Senior Groups:
5- Running from
1- A Composition
Premier Groups:
3- Senioritas
The Celebrity Awards:
Timing and musicality - A Composition

​Overalls #2 - Highest Scores:

Junior solos:
3- Tutti Frutti, Delilah Espinoza-Kroona 
2- Girl from NYC, Alexis Benford
Junior groups:
4- Blackbird
1- RESPECT
Intermediate groups:
1- All I Need is a Girl
Convention Scholarship: Gabe Johnson
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​Overalls #3 - Highest Scores:

Preteen Groups:
5- Down
4- Singing in Rain
3- Molecules
2- Fremd 
1- Grief
Teen Groups:
2- Modern Flame
1- Metamorphosis
Scholarship Convention:
Alyssa Lamb
Dance Down Winners:
Juniors- 3- Delaine Tyler
Celebrity Cruise Junior Crew:
Ava Waddilove

​Overalls #4 - Highest Scores:

​Overalls #4 - Highest Scores: 
Preteen Solos:
5- Remember, Mia Thompson
4- I Will Remember, Shay LaVelle
3- Saint of Love, Andreas Warren
2- Pure Imagination, Delaine Tyler
1- Gravy Waltz, Quinn Fridrich
Preteen Duets/Trios:
2- Catch Me, Delaine Tyler, Mia Thompson
1- I am Piano, Quinn Fridrich, Shay Lavelle, Sigrid Rossi
Premier Solos:
3- Red, Sandrah Ochola
2- Get Low, Haley Miller
Premier Duets/Trios:
4- Party with Cardi, Kristen Asa, Ellie Brown
3- Three to One, Kristen Asa, Ellie Brown, Lauren Dreusicke
Convention Scholarship: Sandrah Ochola
Celebrity Award:
Technique: Haley Miller

Overalls #5 - Highest Scores

Teen Solos:
5- Jumpin’ at the Woodside, Cameron Reimers
4- Written in Stone, Emma McMahon
1- Life is a Dream, Tatiana Schmidt
Teen Duets/Trios:
5- Fearful Symmetries, Abbey Schley, Tatiana Schmidt
2- Banana Pancakes, Ella Morgan, Zoe Nolte, Molly Riepe
Judges Award:
Tatiana Schmidt
Convention Scholarship: Emma McMahon
Celebrity Award: 
Choreography: Jumpin' at Woodside: Sean Kaminski

category awards #1:

Intermediate Duet/Trios:
3- Home, Delilah Espinoza- Kroona, Lauren Melloy
1- L.O.V.E., Audrie Dowdle, Gabe Johnson, Molly Miller
Senior Solo Ballet:
2- Jagged, Abbey Schley 
1- Aurora Variation, Abbey Schley
Senior Solo Contemp:
3- Waiting Game, Hannah Lederman
Senior Solo Lyrical:
2- Easy, Kathleen Washington
Senior Solo Open:
3- Blowers Daughter, Hannah Lederman
2- Parallel, Abbey Schley
1- Floating Sinking, Katie Granner
Senior Duet/Trios Open:
1- Broken, Izzy and Emma Bach
Senior Duet/Trios Tap:
2- Stairway to Heaven
1- Faking Bright, Anna Dreusicke, Gwyneth Durian, Haley Miller
Senior Small Groups Contemp:
3- Hurt
Senior Small Groups Open:
2- Awake my Soul
1- Mercy
Senior Small Groups Tap:
1- A Composition
Senior Medium Groups Contemp:
3- Cult
Senior Medium Groups Open:
1- Running from
Senior Medium Tap:
1- Hey Mami
Senior Large Jazz:
1- Showgirls
Premier Small Jazz:
1- Senioritas
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category awards #2: 

Junior Solo Tap:
2- Tutti Frutti - Delilah Espinoza-Kroona
1- Girl from NYC- Alexis Benford
Intermediate Solo Tap:
2- I Want you Back- Lana Greenleaf
Junior Small Groups Jazz:
2- Born to Be Yours
Junior Small Groups Open:
1- Blackbird
Junior Small Tap:
1- Itsy Bitsy Spider
Junior Medium Contemp:
1- Across the Sea
Junior Medium Tap:
1- RESPECT
Intermediate Small Tap:
1- All I Need is a Girl
Intermediate Medium Lyrical:
1- Every Time it Rains
Intermediate Medium Tap: 
2- Sing Sing Sing

category awards #3:

Preteen Small Groups Contemp:
1- Grief
Preteen Small Groups Jazz:
1- Control
Preteen Small Group Open:
2- Molecules
1- Fremd
Preteen Small Group Tap:
2- Brighter Than the Sun
Preteen Medium Group Ballet:
1- Pas de Sass
Preteen Medium Group Contemp:
1- Bottom of the River
Preteen Medium Group Jazz:
3- New Attitude
Preteen Medium Group Lyrical:
2- Angels
1- Wasting My Young Years

Preteen Medium Group Tap:
2- Down
1- Singing in the Rain
Teen Small Group Contemp:
3- Details in Fabric
2- My Hand
Teen Small Group Open:
3- Concrete Wall
2- Long Road
1- Metamorphosis
Teen Small Group Tap:
1- Airmail Special
Teen Medium Contemp:
1- Modern Flame
Teen Medium Group Open:
2- Ghost
1- Pulse
Teen Medium Group Tap:
1- Jack and Diane
Teen Large Group Tap:
1- Gone Gone Gone
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Category Awards #4

Preteen solos Ballet:
1- Concetto, Delaine Tyler
Preteen Solos Lyrical:
1- Remember, Mia Thompson
Preteen Solos Open:
3- Gooey, Quinn Fridrich
2- I Will Remember, Shay LaVelle
1- Pure Imagination Delaine Tyler
Preteen Solos Tap:
3- Be OK, Aiden Gillespie
2- Mr. Bojangles, Andreas Warren
1- Gravy Waltz, Quinn Fridrich
Preteen Duets/Trios Contemp:
1- Footprints in Sand, Ava Moore, Grace Walker
Preteen Duets/Trios Open:
2- Catch Me, Mia Thompson, Delaine Tyler
1- I Am Piano, Quinn Fridrich, Shay LaVelle, Sigrid Rossi
Premier Solos Contemp:
3- Lung, Lauren Dreusicke
2- Falling, Sandrah Ochola
Premier Solos Lyrical:
2- I’m Like a Bird, Lauren Dreusicke
1- I was here, Sandrah Ochola
Premier Solos Open:
3- Stillness in Chaos, Ellie Brown
1- Red, Sandrah Ochola
Premier Solos Tap:
1- Get Low, Haley Miller
Premier Duets/Trios Hip Hop:
1- Party with Cardi, Kristin Asa, Ellie Brown
Premier Duets/Trios Open:
1- Three to One, Kristin Asa, Ellis Brown, Lauren Dreusicke

category awards #5:

Teen Solos Ballet:
2- Equilibrium, Lojain Nasr
1- Tatiana Schmidt
Teen Solos Contemp:
1- Life is a Dream, Tatiana Schmidt
Teen Solos Jazz:
1- Rumor Has It, Brynn Miller
Teen Solos Open:
3- Speigel, Taylor Stevens
2- Flight from City, Sigrid Rossi
1- Written in stone Emma McMahon
Teen Solos Tap:
3- Sorry, Anna Dreusicke
2- Audrey, Ella Morgan
1- Jumpin’ at the Woodside, Cameron Reimers
Teen Duets/Trios Ballet:
1-Fearful Symmetries, Abbey Schley, Tatiana Schmidt 
Teen Duets/Trios Contemp:
3- Grace, Lila Tallman, Taylor Stevens
Teen Duets/Trios Open:
1- Sadness in Taking Over, Emma Bach, Abby Cupp
Teen Duets/Trios Tap:
1- Banana Pancakes, Ella Morgan, Zoe Nolte, Molly Riepe
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get 2 know: sarah barragán

3/6/2019

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Get 2 Know: Sarah Barragán!

Sarah is the Director of the Ballet Program at Nolte Academy! 
​

Dermot Burke choreographed The Nutcracker at Dayton Ballet, and we performed 48 shows in 21 days each year! The preparation, expectations, and process of being prepared at any moment to go in for someone else was an incredible lesson. I had my own role in Waltz of the Flowers, Waltz of the Snowflakes, Spanish and Shepherdesses, but I had to know at least 2 other places as well--in each cast of each dance!

Violette Verdy was my teacher at Chautauqua, the School of American Ballet, and again at Indiana University. Her decisions - although they may have seemed inconsequential - had tremendous impacts on my, my father's, and my husband's career. When she was still dancing with NYCB she choreographed and performed in a ballet at Dayton Ballet, and she chose to partner with my father in her first work. Eloy was able to first travel to the United States as a student because she invited him to attend the Boston Ballet. She was present the day of my audition and acceptance to the School of American Ballet, and also helped me get back on my feet after surgery through the ballet department at Indiana University. While there, she encouraged me to pursue choreography - which in turn led me to meet Eloy.

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Copyright © 2023
  • information
    • NEW TO NOLTE
    • 2022-23 schedule
    • BIPOC Statement
    • Nolte Companies Equity Advisory Board
    • Studio Tour
    • company policies
    • CONTACT us
  • enroll now!
  • NOLTE ACADEMY
    • Calendar/FAQ
    • class descriptions + levels
    • TUITION & REGISTRATION
    • Attire Considerations
    • Pointe at Nolte
    • young children's programming
  • POWERED BY NOLTE
    • Classical at Nolte
    • NOLTE NUTCRACKER
    • NOLTE RECITAL / VOICE & ACTING SHOWCASE
    • DANCEWORKS
    • Iowa City Youth Choir
    • PILATES
    • THE COMPANY
    • Nolte Madrigal Dinner
    • OPEN DOORS DANCE FESTIVAL
  • faculty & staff
  • NEWS
  • JOB OPPORTUNITIES