Empty nesting at its finest
Becky Peterson performing a modern dance movement in a Denver theater in the early 2000s.
Becky Peterson is enjoying empty nesting at her Hidden Pointe home with travel, taking Pilates, teaching it, and working in the arts.
Growing up in Barstow, California, Becky went to UC Santa Barbara and majored in dance and theater production. After high school, she took a gap year as an exchange student living in New Zealand.
“It was life changing,” said Becky.
Becky became a dancer, doing mostly modern dance, auditioning and performing in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Dancing was what ultimately brought her to Denver. Becky auditioned and landed at the Hannah Kahn Dance Company. “Hannah was an amazing woman to work with and a big influence in the dance community in Denver,” explained Becky.
To make ends meet, Becky would dance in the daylight hours and do credit card collection calls at night. She went to massage therapy school to supplement her income, and that is how she met her husband, Scott. There was a day spa in his condominium complex that was having an open house. Becky was doing chair massages to promote the business and gave him a massage.
“Scott asked me out on a date instead of giving me a tip,” smiled Becky. The two had a destination wedding to Hawaii and settled in Denver. They moved to Centennial and then ultimately to Castle Pines in 2022 looking for a bigger space for their son and his friends.
For more than 30 years, Becky has taken Pilates classes. The exercises helped with strength and rehab when she was a dancer and it is still her go-to exercise. Recently, she became an instructor at Studio Pilates Castle Pines (see January E Guide spotlight), teaching three mornings per week. “I am very detail oriented and love the Pilates techniques; with my massage therapy background, I am not afraid to be hands-on with clients.” Becky retired from massage therapy after the pandemic.
Becky and Scott have 18-year-old son, Brock, who attended Valor Christian High School (Valor), and is a freshman at the University of Utah. The family has a German short-haired pointer, Kipper.
Becky and Scott, who is a partner at a national tax firm, vacationed in Thailand last fall.
“We loved the kayaking. At low tide, you go through the caves and pop out into these lagoons in the middle of these islands,” said Becky. “It was so beautiful; everything felt like a movie set.”
Becky is also one of five house managers at Lone Tree Performing Arts Center. “It’s really fun. I work with the ushers and front-of-house management to make things at performances go smoothly.”
Becky enjoys playing bunko once a month with Valor friends and, looking ahead, hopes to learn to embroider and paint with watercolor.
“I am focused on my health and happiness and figuring out who I am now in this next phase,” concluded Becky.
Becky with 18-year-old son Brock, who is a freshman at the University of Utah.
Becky standing in front of a Buddhist temple in Phuket, Thailand.
By Hollen Wheeler; photos courtesy of Becky Peterson
