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Eventually, Coates White earned an undergraduate degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in physical therapy, both from the College of St. Scholastica. She worked for a time as a physical therapist at St. Luke’s, but found it difficult to maintain a full-time career once the couple’s children were born.

While still working for the Minnesota Ballet, in 1999, she was hired as an adjunct assistant professor of dance at UMD, a role she still holds today. Today, Coates White spends about 75% of her time teaching at UMD and 25% at the Minnesota Ballet. But this schedule can ebb and flow, depending on where she is most needed at any given time.

Coates White also works as a choreographer. In addition to her choreography work at the Minnesota Ballet and UMD, she has done freelance work for Lyric Opera of the North, Arrowhead Chorale, Sieur du Luth Summer Arts Festival and other productions.

Special recognitions

In 2015, Coates White was granted a fellowship from the New York Choreographic Institute — a prestigious recognition. And recently, Coates White was recognized with a nod to her 25th anniversary as principal teacher with the Minnesota Ballet. The ballet’s year-end student performance was dedicated to her, and many former students traveled to town for the occasion.

Coates White also belongs to the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science.

Family life

The couple have three children: Cullen (21), Flannery (20), and Finnegan (18). They also have an Australian Shepherd puppy named Monty.

The family lives between Two Harbors and Duluth, in a home they built, with the intent of looking old. “We call it the Icelandic Neogothic Farmhouse,” Coates White said. “We bought the plot of land and hired an architect, but did a lot of the interior work ourselves. Todd and I share a passion for homes and home renovations.” Coates White is also an avid reader and gardener.

Adopted hometown

While she never intended to end up in Duluth, Coates White has fallen in love with the city. “I love Duluth. I love the lake, and the thriving arts scene was so surprising to me,” she said. And, although she has a successful background as a ballet dancer, Coates White wants her legacy to be that of a teacher.

“A lot of my former students are now teaching elsewhere in the community,” she said. “And now I’ve been here long enough that I’m teaching the children of my former students.”