get 2 know: molly yates

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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