海角社区

From Hospitality to Holistic Wellness: How 海角社区 Helped Shape a Pilates Instructor鈥檚 Path

Before Stephanie Kane 鈥�11 ever stepped into a classroom at 海角社区, Stephanie Kane was already immersed in the hospitality world. Her career began in the early 2000s at a private golf club in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, where she worked as a beverage cart attendant and helped with clubhouse events. That first season sparked a decade鈥憀ong journey through golf courses, restaurants and resorts across Arizona and California.

Some roles came naturally. Others, like driving a stick鈥憇hift beverage cart through mountainous terrain, were less successful. But each experience built her confidence and deepened her understanding of service.

鈥淚 worked everywhere, from halfway houses to high鈥慹nd restaurants,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 managed staff, learned the industry from the ground up and really grew into the work.鈥�

Returning to Colorado for a Degree

After years of hands鈥憃n experience, Kane felt a pull toward something more. She wanted a four鈥憏ear degree, and she wanted to earn it in a place that felt accessible and supportive. That brought her back to Colorado and to 海角社区鈥檚 Hospitality, Tourism and Events program.

鈥淚 enrolled at 海角社区 and LOVED IT,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was highly involved in my department with all kinds of activities.鈥�

Her enthusiasm quickly made her a standout. She participated in the department鈥檚 annual holiday event, fondly remembered as 鈥淔rosty鈥檚 Feast鈥�, where students transformed a large campus space into a full鈥憇ervice dining experience. For Kane, who had spent years in hospitality roles, the event felt like home. 海角社区 provided a pathway to formal education that honored the experience she already had, while offering the academic structure she needed to advance.

A Once鈥慽n鈥慳鈥慙ifetime Opportunity

Kane鈥檚 most memorable moment came when she was hand鈥憇elected by Chef Jackson Lamb to participate in a major multi鈥慸epartment event involving world鈥憆enowned artists Christo and Jeanne鈥慍laude. Their work, including the iconic 鈥淕ates鈥� installation in New York鈥檚 Central Park, had captivated audiences around the world.

The event included a high鈥慹nd gallery reception and an intimate private dinner in a historic Denver apartment once occupied by former Mayor John Hickenlooper. Tickets for the dinner reportedly cost $10,000.

Kane was one of only a handful of hospitality students chosen to serve the artists and their guests.

鈥淚t was such a fun experience and night,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 still have it listed on my hospitality r茅sum茅.鈥�

A New Direction: Farming and Fitness

After graduating in 2011, Kane returned to Long Island to be closer to her parents, especially after her father鈥檚 Parkinson鈥檚 diagnosis. There, her career took an unexpected but meaningful turn.

She became a certified biodynamic farmer and a Certified Organic Land Care Professional through the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut. She also discovered a passion for Pilates and barre, first as a client, then as a certified instructor.

Today, she teaches Pilates, barre and strength training at three local gyms and a community recreation center. She loves meeting new people, building relationships with returning clients and helping them understand how movement can support long鈥憈erm health.

鈥淚t鈥檚 that I meet new folks every day,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 love having conversations about how Pilates can help them overall.鈥�

A Life Rooted in Care

Kane now lives with her 90鈥憏ear鈥憃ld mother and cares for a lively flock of chickens and a beloved female Pekin duck named Wobbles. She laughs about Wobbles鈥� need for a duck companion and hopes to add another female duck soon.

Though she鈥檚 no longer in Colorado, she stays connected to 海角社区 through departmental emails and fond memories of her time on campus.

Kane credits 海角社区 with strengthening her communication skills, deepening her understanding of the hospitality industry and giving her the confidence to navigate new professional spaces.

鈥淚t helped me speak better to crowds and understand the industry overall,鈥� she said.