LESLIE WOOD, F.C.C.A.

The National Executive Board of Directors of the Cecchetti Council of America is proud to present a brief bio of LESLIE WOOD:

Leslie received her early training in Ann Arbor, MI from Sylvia Hamer, a founding member of the Cecchetti Council of America. She also studied at the Royal Ballet School in London, England, where she was honored to study the Cecchetti Method under Nora Roche as well as at various studios in New York City. Additionally, Leslie has received training in kinesiology for dancers and athletes.

She performed with the Ann Arbor Civic Ballet, Long Island Ballet, and the Kearney Civic Ballet of which she was founder and director.

Her teaching career began under the direction of Sylvia Hamer. After moving to NYC, Leslie taught at various studios in that city until she moved to Nebraska where she was owner and director of the Nebraska Dance Academy for 25 years. In 2005, she moved to Florida where she teaches at Backstage Academy in Naples, Florida. She also guest teaches at regional committee workshops and at the CCA International Summer School and Teachers’ Course.

Most recently, Leslie collaborated with Laura McCarthy to produce four Teacher Training DVDs for the CCA. These DVDs follow closely the 2009 CCA Teacher Reference Guide for Grades I – IV. It is a work to be shared with others who have a passion to teach and carry on the Method of Maestro Enrico Cecchetti. She is also collaborating with Laura McCarthy and Rosina DeVries in presenting to the CCA teachers virtual workshops entitled Teaching Beyond the Syllabi.

Leslie has been Chairman of the CCA Northern Plains Committee as well as the Florida Committee. She is Co-Principal of the Teachers’ Course at the CCA International Summer School and Teachers’ Course, a Fellow member of and examiner for the CCA.

She lives in Fort Meyers, Florida with her husband, Kelly, and has one daughter and three grandchildren.