Familiar Face Lindy Bartruff - A Life in Motion

Lindy Bartruff is a face that is familiar to many in the Niwot Community. She has been teaching dance lessons at the Left Hand Grange for four years. Her classes are popular as she teaches all levels of dance including line dancing, social dancing, tap and jazz.

Bartruff 's journey to Niwot is a tale of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of artistic expression. Born and raised in Montana to artistically inclined parents - her father a renowned UCC minister and counselor, her mother a successful decorator, musician, actor, and singer - Bartruff's path seemed destined for the performing arts.

Her high school years set the stage for her future, as she spent two and a half years touring the country as a dancer in musicals. This experience, combined with her upbringing, honed her skills not just in dance, but in singing and acting as well.

Staying true to her roots, Bartruff pursued higher education in her hometown, earning a BA in English with an emphasis in writing and a minor in theater. Her calling was clear. Dance, theater, and writing were not just passions, but integral parts of her being.

Love and career intertwined when Bartruff met her husband, Jim, at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Their shared passion for the arts led them on a journey across the country, with stops at the University of Montana at Missoula, Minnesota State University at Moorhead, and Emporia State University in Kansas. Throughout these years, Bartruff held positions on dance and theater faculties, while Jim was a theater director.

The couple's commitment to their craft led them to make regular pilgrimages to New York and London, immersing themselves in the theater scenes of these cultural capitals. Even now, they continue to visit New York two or three times a year, finding inspiration and rejuvenation at renowned dance studios such as Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway.

The year 2020 brought unexpected changes. As COVID-19 reshaped the world, the Bartruffs came to Boulder, Colorado, initially to help care for Bartruff's mother. It was during this time that they discovered and fell in love with the idyllic setting of Niwot.

Seeing an opportunity to share their passion and expertise, Lindy and Jim created the Niwot "Play" Company, offering theater, dance, workshops, and classes. They are original members of the Niwot Community Connection (NCC), with Lindy teaching line dance and low-impact exercise classes.

After a brief stint in Gunbarrel, the Bartruffs found their perfect home back in Niwot earlier this year. Jim now works as a theater consultant for several playwrights, while Bartruff has expanded her teaching repertoire to include jazz, Broadway, tap, ballet, and various other dance styles.

For the past four years, Lindybdance has made its home on the upper floor of the Left Hand Grange. Summers see Bartruff teaching at Whistle Stop Park, where they've even built tap boards for dancing in the gazebo. Her reach extends beyond Niwot, as she has taught themed dance experiences to various groups in nearby cities.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Bartruff has continued to adapt and grow. She has developed an online presence called On Site Studio, producing videos of different dance genres for remote learners. She also maintains her connection to writing, currently working on a narrative nonfiction project.

With over 40 years of teaching experience, more than 100 shows choreographed, and thousands of classes taught at regional and national levels, Bartruff is far from slowing down. She's deeply engaged in the Niwot community and is actively working to grow her studio.

Looking ahead, Bartruff hopes to establish a stronger identity for Lindybdance. She is looking to work with children from nearby elementary schools and expand her class offerings. While COVID-19 may have presented obstacles, Bartruff's passion for dance, theater, and storytelling remains undimmed.

As Bartruff continues to share her artistry with the Niwot community, her story serves as a testament to the enduring power of following one's passion. From the stages of Montana to the dance floors of Niwot, Bartruff's journey is one of constant motion, creativity, and the joy of artistic expression.

Join Lindy Bartruff at the Left Hand Grange for dance lessons Wednesdays, Oct. 16, 23 and Nov. 6, 20, 27 at 5:00 p.m. Classes are $15 for individuals and $25 for couples. For additional information and to register, visit lindybdance.com.