Gates Northrup is from Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary repertory. She trained at Minnesota Dance Theatre from 2010–2012 before continuing her studies at Nevada Ballet Theatre from 2012–2014. She returned to Minnesota Dance Theatre from 2014–2022, joining the company as an apprentice in 2019 and later performing as a company dancer.
Gates earned her Bachelor of Science in Ballet from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, with a minor in Psychology, graduating in three years. She has performed works by Loyce and Lise Houlton, George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton, Dwight Rhoden, Twyla Tharp, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Sasha Janes, and Michael Vernon. Since 2020, she has taught ballet at both Minnesota Dance Theatre and Indiana University’s Pre-College Program. Gates is excited for her first season with Montana Ballet Company!