Joffrey History | Artist Detail | Management
Kathleen began dance training at age 7, taking tap and jazz in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. At age 8, she began studying ballet. She was active in sports, participating in her high school’s Diving and Track teams during her freshman year.
At age 15, she received a scholarship to the Virginia School of the Arts, where she studied dance. She attended summer dance programs at Pennsylvania Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and The Joffrey Ballet’s New York and Midwest programs on full scholarship. Thielhelm graduated with honors from both the Virginia School of the Arts and T.C. Glass High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She received the Dame Margot Fonteyn Award upon graduation and was accepted and received a scholarship to The Julliard School.
Kathleen first performed with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago during their 1999 production of The Nutcracker. She became a full company member of The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago in July of 2000.