Under the leadership of Ms. Leslie Ann Larson, the Central West Ballet Academy got its start in 2015. Prior to this, Central West Ballet conducted a period of expansion classes for serious minded students to lead into a fully fledged academic curriculum. Leslie Ann Larson has mentored numerous ballet students in technique and proper pointe training. Her expertise in all facets of dance training is backed up by a long teaching experience. Known for her positive implementation of dance ethics, Leslie Ann Larson produces students with an accent on clean technique. For young girls graduating to demi-pointe and later on, to full on pointe work, Ms. Larson insist on safe and conscientious lengthy training in preparation for the physical demands of pointe shoe work. Each student who wants to go on pointe has to go through a thorough evaluation before grading to demi-pointe and ultimately, to full pointe shoes.

Leslie Larson has also been the Central West Ballet company’s Ballet Mistress since 2004. Under her constant care and meticulous work process and scheduling, CentralW best Ballet dancers have enjoyed fulfilling dance careers and pristine stage performance results.

Leslie Ann Larson’s meticulous approach to the art of dance is backed by a long and solid career. Born and raised in Southern Oregon, Ms. Larson was fortunate to train on a full scholarship at The Dance Laboratory, a small prestigious school in Seattle, Washington. There, she trained with distinguished teachers Charles Bennett of the American Ballet Theatre and Flemming Halby of the Royal Danish Ballet. With Bennett, Ms. Larson developed a conscientious work ethic and dedicated professional attitude. With Halby, she acquired a full danish technique and style. Ms. Larson was also mentored by the great flamenco artist Sara De Luis over a period of two years. She then earned a full scholarship to The Joffrey Ballet School in New York, where she trained under Joffrey Alumni Francesca Corkle and Trinette Singleton.

In her 20 year dance career, Leslie Ann Larson was a member of Oakland Ballet under the direction of Ronn Guidi, where she was instilled with a tradition of the famed Ballets Russes repertory. She then joined Ballet West in Salt Lake City under the direction of John Hart CBE and Jonas Kåge. Under John Hart, Ms. Larson received a complete artistic formation directly from the Royal Ballet tradition. She also learned from great Ballet Masters Elaine Thomas and Denise Schultz.