Leah Cordiano-Siemens, Artistic Director

Leah brings a unique and accomplished perspective to teaching and choreography that she has gained from 27 years of experience working with a variety of mentors and styles. Her own dance education included ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, and choreography. She studied under instructors from such prominent companies as Ballet Petit, Le Studio (Charles and Phillip Fuller, Artistic Directors) and the Royal Danish Ballet. Leah also performed with a touring company of the internationally recognized South Bay Jr. Ballet (Diane Lauridsen, Artistic Director), which today attracts visiting instructors from the Joffrey Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. Her jazz training came under the guidance of Michelle Johnston (of “Staying Alive,” “Chorus Line,” Michael Jackson’s “Captain EO,” and Madonna’s “Who’s That Girl”). In addition to her traditional dance instruction, Leah’s college degree in Cultural Anthropology afforded her the opportunity to explore cultural dances from around the globe, and to learn how to incorporate those experiences into her approach to dance. As a result of her extensive and varied training, Leah is able to bring an inspired and varied style to her choreography and performance that is unlike any other in our area.

Katie McMasters, Assistant Artistic Director

Katie has 18 years of classical training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and pointe. Katie performed in the Sonshine Performing Arts Academy’s Troupe/Company for eight years, including a European dance tour with the Messiah Project. Katie has been teaching at Wildwood Dance & Arts for two and a half years. In addition to her dance training, Katie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Research from Southwest Missouri State, and a Masters degree in Business Administration from University of Missouri – St. Louis.