The founder of the Milwaukee ballet died over the weekend.

Roberta Boorse founded the ballet in 1970.

She recruited stars from New York to come to Milwaukee to help generate interest in ballet and also set up events like "beer and ballet" having her performers dance in a bowling alley, to draw more local appeal.

"She built this," Artistic Director Michael Pink told CBS 58 News. "She is a part of this success  and will always remain a part of our success. Because without Roberta, there simply would have never been a Milwaukee Ballet."

The ballet has some 40 dancers and one thousand students in its school.

Boorse was 84 years old.