Leslie Baird, BPhil (Honors), A.R.A.D., received her Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Ballet and Contextual studies from the University of Durham, England and is a graduate of the Professional Dancers’ Teaching Course at the Royal Academy of Dance in London. She is an RAD Registered teacher and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She began her training in ballet, tap and jazz at age six and furthered her ballet training at the San Francisco Ballet School and the Centre de Danse in Cannes, France.  Ms. Baird studied Baroque Dance in the French Noble Style  for 5 summers at the Stanford University workshops founded by Wendy Hilton. Six pieces of her choreography  featuring her advanced dancers  appeared in the “Ballet Showcase” events at the Newmark Theater in Portland. Leslie has been a judge and member of Master Faculty  for international dance competitions and has served  as a Practical Teaching Supervisor and a  Mentor  for the Royal Academy of Dance teacher training programs. Many of her students have gone on to become professional dancers, dance teachers or dancers in college dance companies.