Laura Gates holds degrees in Dance and Psychology from the University of Iowa. While there she was privileged to have worked with many gifted artists including: Francoise Martinet, David Berkey, Randy Duncan, and Mauricio Wainrot. Upon returning to Chicago after graduation, she performed locally with Swallow Cliff Dance Company, Concert Dance Inc., and several independent choreographers. In 1999, Ms. Gates joined Thodos Dance Chicago. Highlights of her six year performance tenure with TDC include performing in Dance for Life, meeting and working with Ann Reinking, and touring with the company to Turkey. She has also enjoyed being a master teacher for the TDC Summer Dance Workshop. Laura is passionate about teaching dance and has taught in the Chicago area for 10 years. She has been an adjudicator for the State Wide Dance Competition and on guest faculty at Northeastern Illinois University and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She is proud to be working with the talented artists of TDC as rehearsal director and ballet mistress.