At 22, Leslie Nolte found herself at a crossroads.

She had been building a career as professional dancer, but the legs she depended on weren't keeping up with her aspirations.

"I had to decide to change career paths," Nolte said. "I knew that I wanted a family, and I didn't want to trust our livelihood on two knees that I couldn't necessarily guarantee. I didn't think dance was in my future at all, even if I wanted it to be, because of my injuries."

Her solution was to begin her own dance studio, and, in three years, the Nolte Dance Academy grew from 80 to more than 600 students.

Teaching dance has allowed Nolte to keep dance in her life and also has given her an opportunity to affect the lives of many area children. For Nolte, awakening a passion similar to hers in others is what's important.

She awards three scholarships a year and often helps parents who have trouble with their tuition payments.

"The biggest thing is to find something the children of our community love," Nolte said. "If they find that, I don't think it's fair for any child to not get to do what they love because of logistics. Logistics can be compromised. I will do everything I can to make sure those who want to dance can."

The Nolte Academy recently partnered with the Englert Theatre on a production of "The Nutcracker" and will team up again for "Beauty and the Beast."

But it's not just dance that the children are receiving an education in at Nolte's studio.

"It will always show teamwork," Nolte said. "I have 5-year-olds that know how to work together already. They know how to be patient and take their turns. I think you create such a sense of kindness, commitment and hard work. It's more of a sport of teamwork than I think people give it credit for."

- Shawn Flickinger