Lesli Todd
Lesli began her training at a very early age in her hometown of Mobile, AL with her mother Pamela Herndon. After discovering her love of dance she expanded her studies locally dancing with Mobile Ballet and the Joe Jefferson Players. Lesli was also awarded scholarships and studied at the Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham Studio, Steps, and the Broadway Dance Center. After graduating from Leflore High School of Communications and Arts she moved to Chicago, IL to pursue a performing career in dance. While in Chicago she performed with and was awarded scholarships to Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre and the Of Light and Temptation Project. Lesli also had the opportunity to teach and choreograph for local Chicago schools.

Mrs. Todd returned to her hometown in 1995 where she became Co-Artistic Director of The Dance Center and a founding member of the Alabama Contemporary Dance Theatre. Her career as a choreographer and teacher began to blossom while in Alabama. Lesli taught and choreographed for ACDT, The Dance Center, Children’s Musical Theater, and Culture in Black and White. In 1999 she began another adventure in the sport of Disc Golf. With her athletic ability she received top honors in the sport winning the 1998 World Championships, Rookie of the Year, 2000 &2001 Women’s National Championship and Player of the Year.

After playing on the Pro Tour for five years, Lesli found a home in Charlotte, NC, where she returned to her true passion dance. While in Charlotte her choreography has been presented at the Winter Dance Festival at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Mrs. Todd currently teaches and choreographs for several local studios and her students have been awarded scholarships to The Joffrey Ballet,  ABT, The Boston Ballet,  Broadway Dance Center, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, New World School of the Arts and many universities and companies throughout the country.

Bonita Simpson
Owner and director of Bonita’s School of Ballet, founded Monroe City Ballet (2004) and the Union County Youth Ballet (1992). She is certified as a ballet teacher through the Royal Academy of Dance and the Cecchetti Council of America. Simpson trained at the Charlotte School of Ballet under Gay Porter Speer. In her earlier training, Simpson attended summer programs at the North Carolina School of the Arts. She has continued her training with summer Teacher Intensives with Finis Jhung, Ballet Magnificat, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Since she founded the Union County Youth Ballet, Simpson has directed and choreographed numerous full length productions including: The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, and There is a God.