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Kelli started dancing at the age of 3 and immediately
fell in love with dance. She trained in ballet,
tap, jazz, modern and contemporary. Mrs. Leighton
studied at the Tueller School of Dance under
the direction of Valene Tueller, where she was
a member of Company and Competition teams.
She later took on the responsibilities of assistant
student teacher and student choreographer which
then led her to join the faculty at Tueller School
of Dance. Kelli won top honors at numerous
competitions all over the US, including the honor
of being featured on the Today Show. She was
selected for the U.S.A. All Star Team and was
awarded numerous Dance Training Scholarships
for schools all over the US including the prestigious Edge Performing Arts Center in Los
Angeles. During her training, Mrs. Leighton performed in the Nutcracker with Cache
Civic Ballet and with the Bloomington Ballet. |
Kelli pursued her education at Utah State University where she was awarded two dance
scholarships. While at USU she became a member of the Sunburst Performing Company
where she was given the opportunity to choreograph in addition to performing.
Since attending college Mrs. Leighton has choreographed for soloists, drill and dance
teams, as well as dance companies throughout Utah, California, and Idaho. She has
had the opportunity to work with such greats as Gregory Hines, Thommie Walsh, Luigi,
Barry Youngblood, Christopher Smith and Robert Alverez. Kelli also pursued a career
in acting where she became a member of the Screen Actors Guild working in television,
film and industrials. Kelli worked as the Programs and Entertainment Director for
UC Santa Barbara Family Vacation Center for 8 seasons where she co-wrote, choreographed
and directed over forty staff members in three main performances. While at the
UC Santa Barbara Family Vacation Center, Mrs. Leighton also developed and managed
ten other entertainment groups in addition to creating and directing the children’s dance
camp.
Mrs. Leighton then moved to the Sacramento area and returned to what she loves
most, teaching. Since moving to the Sacramento area, she has choreographed for local
high schools and studio competition teams. She also danced with Pulse Dance Ensemble
for two seasons, acting as the Assistant Artistic Director in the second season.
Kelli is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of C.O.R.E Dance Collective, and she is
currently on faculty at Step 1 Dance and Fitness in Sacramento and Northern California
Dance Conservatory in Roseville. |
