"More than Dance -- Building character, diversity, competitiveness, generosity, excellence, and sen

Charlee was born and raised in Winnie, Texas. She graduated from East Chambers High

School. At the age of 8 years old she was a nationally ranked (3rd in the nation)

baton twirler. Her baton twirling lead her into the dance world. At the age of 11 she

was the youngest person to be offered a spot with the Joffrey Ballet summer

program.  Charlee also spent her summers training with the San Francisco Ballet, Ballet

Aspen, and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet. When she was 19 years old Charlee became the

youngest member of the NFL Houston Oilers Derrick Dolls. She was on the team for

2 years prior to them leaving Houston. Having been a member of their prestigious

traveling squad and was on a USO tour that performed and entertained our troops

in Germany and England. She graduated from Lamar University with a degree in

Political Science. In 1999 Charlee married her wonderful husband, Mark Rule. Mark

opened the Carrabba’s Italian Grill here and later was the proprietor of the Outback

Steakhouse. Charlee and Mark have been blessed with 3 amazing kids. Brett is 17 years old and

is a beautiful dancer with the Houston ballet. There twins, Allyn and Jax are

freshmen at Kelly High School. Allyn is an amazing dancer and Jax is a baseball

and football player with Kelly.

After teaching ballet for many local dance studios and traveling the country as a

guest ballet teacher, Charlee and Mark decided to open their own studio in August of

2007. Their goal was to create a place that welcomed every single person that

walked into their lives. No matter their size, skin color, religion, sexual orientation,

education, or economic situation they wanted iRule to be a place that anyone could call

home. Over the last 15 years they have done just that. iRule has become the home

to thousands of dancers in Southeast Texas. Having won over 50 National Titles

in the last 15 years. iRule has been voted Reader’s Choice Best Dance Studio for 13

straight years. Charlee was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 of Southeast Texas in

2017. Recently they were honored by the Press Club of Southeast Texas for being

the top story of 2020. In November of 2020 they were featured on the Ellen

Degeneres Show for their diversity and community efforts to make a difference.

The last 15 years have been the best years of her life. iRule has danced for any

organization that asks, including nursing homes, senior centers, food banks, and

the most cherished events are the shows performed for the Southeast Texas

children. Knowing that the arts make a difference in children’s lives and Charlee is

proud that she can give back to the community through art.

Charlee is honored to be asked to speak to the Rotary Club of Beaumont.