2022 marks Julie’s 40th year of teaching. Julie’s passion for teaching dance began at age 11 as a student teacher, where her early training was under the tutelage of Sharlene and Marilyn Wallace at Wallace School of Dance. Being a shy child, their loving and kind guidance and training is where she blossomed and developed her love of ballet and teaching. She believes the early foundation of dance training is so important to the future success of a dancer, both emotionally and physically. Julie knows firsthand the benefits that dance offers a child.

Julie has been studying ballet and various forms of dance most of her life and still continues her dance education by attending master classes and studies or trains in dance teaching methodologies and pedagogy. She has studied with a variety of professional and master teachers from the University of Utah, Weber State University, Ryrie Woodbury Dance Company, Royal Academy of London Accredited Teachers, and Dance Teacher Web, among others. Julie holds a BIS in Dance/Child Development and Family Studies/SS Technologies from Weber State University and is currently a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. She has been on volunteer faculty for the Weber State University BIS capstone committee helping students in dance education and their capstone final project towards graduation. She has taught dance in private schools, both on elementary and secondary levels. She has directed and choreographed numerous dances in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, musical theater, modern dance, creative dance, and character ballet for dancers of all ages and levels. She has also created original dance productions and ballets for children in the last decade at Julie Moffitt Ballet School.

In her early years, she loved to perform. She enjoyed her short performing profession touring/dancing with dance companies, community theater, WSU's theater program, and WSU Orchesis Dance Company, but Julie’s real passion is teaching and choreographing and training other teachers and students. She wants children to pursue their desires (whatever they may be) and work hard doing what it takes to excel in that pursuit.

After taking a 10-year hiatus raising her four children, Julie opened her second studio, Julie Moffitt Ballet School, in her basement in 1995 when her youngest child was four. Back then, she was the only teacher, along with a student’s mom, who helped her with the four- and five-year-olds. As the owner of Julie Moffitt Ballet School, Julie continues to teach and dance and manages the studio curriculum, costuming, stage and lighting design as well as bringing innovative teacher education training to the teacher staff. She is also the artistic director for the JMBS Nutcracker Ballet and recitals.

Julie believes in the young people today and believes she has the best students ever! Julie Moffitt Ballet School currently has 36 volunteer student teachers ages 12-18 who give of their time and talents to mentor younger students at the studio. She believes that teens who put forth time and energy giving back to the younger generation are better for it, as it helps them with their own identity and sense of belonging and self esteem. It also benefits the younger dancers, as they grow up with good role models. Julie believes that teens also need to be part of a special group and be part of a collaborative team. In 2002 she created the JMBS Jr. Elite and Elite Performing Troupe. These students (age 11-18) are offered extra activities, training, community service, and additional performances.

There is discussion about what’s wrong with dance regarding appropriate choreography, costuming, music, and the sexualization of dance. But at Julie Moffitt Ballet School, we create choreography with a message to help make an impact and make the world a better place while educating our dancers on accepting themselves. We take a stand to do what is right for the students and the reputation of dance education. Twenty-seven years later, she is still in love with dance and never tires of watching her students excel and succeed in life.

When Julie’s not working on dance projects, she is gardening, hanging out with her dog, Nelly, and her
husband, Kelly, and loves being a grandma and spending time with her eight grandchildren.