Artistic Staff

Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Leslie comes from a diverse background in dance and theatre. Her training includes classical ballet, modern, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and voice. Leslie’s early training under Barbara Daurie included professional guest artists from Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers, and local theatre artists to augment her esteemed school. Leslie credits her diverse training to sparking a lifelong love for dance and giving her the versatility to embrace a wide range of performing and artistic opportunities. 

 

Leslie’s professional career began at the age of 15 at Canada’s largest professional outdoor theatre, Rainbow Stage. Through high school and early adulthood, she went on to perform in over 20 musicals, earning her professional status at age 18 with Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and induction to their ‘Wall of Fame’. From ensemble to lead roles, Leslie spent the majority of her time continuing to advance her career and training through performance. Some of her favourite shows include: My Fair Lady, Anne of Green Gables, Peter Pan, Carousel, the lead role of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Patsy in Crazy for You, and Roxie in Chicago. 

 

Leslie continued her career in Toronto where she performed at the Drayton Festival Theatre in Nunsense (Sister Mary Leo - the pointe dancing and singing Nun!), and then on to the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond as the Apache Dancer, and the National Tour of Showboat with Cloris Leachman. 

 

Leslie met her husband, Scott, at Rainbow Stage and they performed extensively together as a couple. While performing, Leslie continued to teach, guest teach, and train all around Canada and the U.S. While on tour she pursued her Registered Teachers Certificate with the Royal Academy of Dance, with Distinction, and has been entering successful candidates for examinations for over 30 years. After Leslie met her husband and their careers kept taking them to different cities, they made the decision to set a home base in Calgary and opened their studio, Drewitz Dance Productions. For 30 years, they won many prestigious awards in Canada and the U.S. for choreography and dancers have gone on to National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Grands Ballets of Canada, Alberta Ballet, Broadway, Disney, film & television, and fellow teachers and studio owners. The studio has now closed and Leslie is excited to begin a new chapter.

 

As Artistic Director, Leslie is honoured to continue the vision of Jeunesse Classique and contribute her professional experience to provide valuable insight into every aspect of bringing a production to life. From working alongside esteemed performers, directors, set designers, wardrobe and the many behind-the-scenes that make a production successful, she is eager to share her creativity. Leslie’s experience with teaching dancers of all ages has shaped her approach with compassion, understanding, and a deep belief in the potential of every young artist. Her vision is to provide today’s young dancers with the same opportunities that helped shape her own journey - to purse a high level of excellence in dance, learn from experienced mentors, and encourage dancers to challenge themselves, build confidence, and pursue their dreams. 

 

Leslie looks forward to bringing the community together, sharing the love of dance, and nurturing the next generation of dancers.