GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 69 school in Richardson where she had taken classes her- self, but when they increased her hours with no change in pay, she decided she could do it herself. Her dad told her if she could put together a business plan, he would help co-sign a loan. She opened her first studio two weeks after resigning. The studio in Plano has now been open 40 years, and though originally offering classes in ballet only, now there are classes in classical, jazz, tap, modern, compo- sition, and even dance for musical theater. Children’s and adult classes are for “everyone who is interested in furthering their education in dance, no matter their skill level.” “I started my school 40 years ago because I wanted to give Collin County excellent training in a safe and hap- py environment,” Kathy says. And Collin County is lucky to have her. Kathy has been named as one of the Top 10 Women in Collin County for her contributions to the community and is a recipient of the ArtCentre of Plano’s Arts in Education award. Grateful for all she has been able to accomplish, she has been tireless in her efforts to give back. The non-profit Chamberlain Performing Arts is committed to promoting profes- sional quality dance programs and outreach. Their partnership with Boys and Girls Club in the Relevé Af- ter School Dance program and the Shining Stars class- es for students with special needs are extending dance opportunities to populations that may not be served elsewhere. Model Christy Turlington said once “I associate wis- dom and grace with age.” Kathy Chamberlain has always been graceful as a dancer, but the wisdom she has passed on to her students over these 40 years, and the grace she demonstrates outside of dance are what makes her even more admirable. Q A AND HOW HAS CHAMBERLAIN SCHOOL OF BALLET AFFECTEDYOUR LIFE AND CAREER? BRITTANY WERTHMANN | FORMER STUDENT WHO IS CURRENTLY A ROCKETTE "IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. I LEARNED TECHNIQUE, DISCIPLINE, AND DETERMINATION. MS. KATHY GAVE ME ALL THE TOOLS I NEEDED TO ACHIEVE MY DREAM. SHE TAUGHT ME TO LIVE LIFE WITH HUMILITY, GRACE, AND HUMOR, AND I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL. I WOULDN'T BE WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT CHAMBERLAIN SCHOOL OF BALLET." TopLeft:BrittanyWerthmann,formerstudentwhoiscurrentlyaRockette. Top Right: Former student Kathryn McDonald danced with Boston Ballet and will be dancing with Houston Ballet this season.The Allen resident trained with Chamberlain untilshewasinvitedtoattendTheSchoolofAmericanBalletinNYCasahighschoolsophomore. Bottom:FormerChamberlainstudentParisaKhobdehnowdancesforPaulTaylorAmericanModernDance(PTD).ThePlanoresidentturnedinternationalstarwasnominated lastyearforaBessieAward(equivalenttoanOscar,TonyorEmmy)forherexceptionalbodyofworkwithPTD,andwasrecentlyfeaturedonthecoverofDanceMagazine.