Boleyn H. Willis-Zeger began her dance training at age 5 in Durham NC, studying ballet with Adrianna Ciompi. She continued at New Performing Dance Company on scholarship, and in 1978 was granted apprenticeship to the company.

In 1979 Boleyn entered NYU School of the Arts, Theater & Dance Department and studied ballet with Lawrence Rhodes, modern with Linda Tarnay , Feldenkrais with Moshe Feldenkrais and studied at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute with Geoffrey Horne and Hope Arthur. While living in New York City she studied Cunningham Technique at Merce Cunningham Studio, Isadora Duncan dance technique with Lori Bellilove and ballet with Nadine Revene, Madame Darvash, Francis Patrelli, Dick Andros and Kat Wildish. Also while in NYC she danced professionally with Carolyn Turnage and Dancers and performed with The Divine Comedy Theatre and other Off-Off-Broadway theater groups.

In 1981 Boleyn went to work for the King’s Head Theatre Club in London England where she was Production Stage Manager for the theatre under Dan Crawford. Upon her return to NYC, she worked for Manhattan Theatre Club as an assistant stage manager while continuing her dance training. Returning to NC Ms. Willis-Zeger joined, and was company manager and a long-standing member of “Sisters: Women of Common Ancestry” and attended North Carolina State University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in social work.

She is currently the resident choreographer for Long Leaf Opera and has choreographed for theatre and dance companies in North Carolina, New York City and London, England. Boleyn has taught ballet and pointe all over the Triangle, most notably at Bounds Dance Studio, North Carolina Dance Institute, Ninth Street Dance and Walltown Children’s Theater (where she also taught acting). Boleyn is an ABTÒ Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABTÒ Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABTÒ National Training Curriculum. Click here to see more about this curriculum. Boleyn loves teaching and sharing her passion for dance with dancers and non-dancers of all ages and has been teaching dance for over 30 years and looks forward to working with your dancer!

ShaLeigh holds a Masters degree in Visual and Performing Arts from Hollins University where she received her Bachelors with honors in Studio Art and Creative Writing. Comerford began her formal dance training as a scholarship student with the Roanoke Ballet Theatre in Virginia. She trained on scholarship under numerous master teachers for several summers at the American Dance Festival and was selected to perform the works of William Forsythe [Ballet Frankfurt], Nicholas Leichter [nicholasleichterdance], Marigia Maggipinto [Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal), and Keigwin & Company. In 2000, she became a professional company member of the Roanoke Ballet Theatre performing and touring with the company until 2004. Comerford relocated to Brooklyn, New York, in the fall of 2005 performing as a member of Tina Croll & Company and training with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Comerford left New York in January of 2009 to perform leading roles for the Virginia Ballet Academy as Rasputin in Anastasia and Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty. She also made her acting debut as Charlotte in the 2009 spring touring production of Charlottes Web with Roanoke Children's Theater and received an opportunity to study and perform Die Grosse Fuge by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker at P.A.R.T.S in Brussels.

In 2005, Comerford founded ShaLeigh Dance Works, a dance-theatre company dedicated to creating socially conscious works. She was featured as an emerging New York choreographer at Chen Dance Center's 2007 newsteps series and was a recipient of Dance Theatre Workshop's 2007-2008 Creative Residency. Comerford has held the position of Resident Choreographer for Mill Mountain Theatre and has created works for Washington and Lee University, Virginia Ballet Academy, The Roanoke Ballet Theatre, Aerial Ballet Project, Ballet Arts, Roanoke Children's Theatre, and Sadie Nash University.

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Matthew has been practicing physical therapy for 8 years. He is a board certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association. In 2008, he received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Virginia Common Wealth University. He earned his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Ohio University in 2003. Matthew has been working with ballet dancers since the spring of 2010, when he joined Progress Physical Therapy, www.progress-pt.com, to work with The Carolina Ballet. “My interests in studying human movement have been growing for many years through working with tennis and running populations”. Matthew has spent much time studying the unique demands of ballet movements on the body. His experience working with the ballet population has furthered his understanding of activity specific training and overuse injuries in young jumping athletes. His current collaboration with Legacy Studios allows him to use his knowledge of physical therapy and ballet biomechanics to help promote sustainable dancing in developing dancers.

In addition to his work with ballet dancers, Matthew practices physical therapy in Chapel Hill, NC with Advance Physical Therapy. He lives in Durham with his wife and their dog Marvin.

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Stacey has been loving aerial dance since her first day giggling through aerial class in 2008. Until then, her childhood habit of climbing trees and her adult penchant for trying new dance classes have been preparing her for just such a thing to happen. Stacey loves teaching her Beginner Adult Aerial class with Katie Rebich and has branched out to teach Aerial Conditioning as well, because she does not want anyone else with a non-gymnastic-shaped body to get stuck on learning how to invert. Stacey is an active member of Flying Night Aerial Troupe and loves to play in the air with new people!

Katie Rebich has been airborne for as long as she can remember. As an avid lover of heights, she specializes in aerial fabrics and stilt walking (But will try anything in the air at least once!). She aims to help her students develop the mental and physical strength to achieve their goals in the air.

Katie holds a strong background in fencing, teaching theater, and executing scavenger hunts. She holds a wide belief that you're stronger than you think! Currently she teaches adult aerial beginner classes kids aerial continuing beginner/intermediate/advanced classes at Legacy.

Kathy has taught dance in local studios for nineteen years, teaching ballet, pointe, jazz, and pre-dance. She has taught at Sandell Studio in Chapel Hill, The Studio Dance and Gymnastics Center in Durham, and Encore Academy of Dance in Durham. She has also been a guest teacher for The Triangle Youth Ballet. Kathy loves working with young children and has founded Tumble Tots, a summer enrichment program for area preschools. She has led this program for Yates Child Development center for the past three years. She also began the creative movement program for Aldersgate Weekday School. Kathy is a kindergarten teacher at Eno Valley Elementary school, where she also enjoys incorporating movement into the curriculum.

Ms. Reeves earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from UNC at Chapel Hill. Her concentration was in marketing, but her love was teaching. She returned to UNC to earn her teaching licensure and is now a certified teacher in birth to kindergarten and K-6. Being able to combine her love of dance with her passion to teach is a blessing, but her greatest blessing in life is her two beautiful daughters, Jennifer and Lindsey.

Tama Guerra Rivero - Ballet, Pointe

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After years of fascination and searching for classes, Sarah began her flamenco studies in Durham with Carlota Santana. Two years later she took her first trip to Seville, Spain to study the art form in its birthplace and focus on flamenco puro, the most traditional, gypsy style. In 2007 she returned to Spain for 8 months to study flamenco intensively. While taking classes with La Farruca, La Faraona and Angelita Vargas, arguably the 3 greatest women in flamenco puro, she got a better understanding of the art's heritage and essence. Sarah, as a member of Flamenco Carolina, has been performing locally for years in festivals, schools, restaurants, and private events.

Mr. Baierbach was well known in the dance world as a classical and contemporary dancer. Well suited to Neo Classical roles and best known for his versitility, Batterie, and energetic style. Will established himself as a strong and sensitive partner. Will was a principle dancer with Ballet Chicago, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Ballet Oklahoma and Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Milwaukee Ballet Companies. He performed most principal roles in the Classical repertoire as well as the Balanchine repertoire: Scotch Symphony (Principal Male), Jewels (Diamonds and Emeralds), Agon (Lead Male), Serenade (Waltz and Efegy Boy), and Four Temperaments (Sanguinic, Second Theme) just to name a few. He was also known for his musicality and great acting ability, developed in his early years with The Cleveland Ballet, where he blossomed into a principal dancer, under the artistic direction of Dennis Nahat. A dedicated and hard working artist, Will went on to perform well into his mid to late 30's, performing as a full company member as well as a guest artist with several companies throughout the country. He was also very active in the Carlisle Project (dancer, teacher), performed as a principal guest artist at the Shanghi Dance Festival, Shanghi, China in 1994. In his quest for artistic and creative expression he has also developed his own line of Dancewear, "williebdancewear". His unique, custom made dancewear is worn and admired by professionals and students, throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Megan Cattau specializes in the single-point dance trapeze, aerial silks, lyra (circeaux), duo trapeze, and invented apparatus. She began her dance career training under Susan Murphy at Canopy Studio, an aerial dance studio based out of Athens, Georgia. She later became a choreographer and a member of the studio's repertory performance company and, eventually, the assistant director.

After receiving a choreographer's scholarship to the Aerial Dance Festival, Megan had the opportunity to train under such aerialists as Robert Davidson, Nancy Smith, Fred Deb, Jacques Bertrand, and Elsie and Serenity Smith. She has performed nationally and internationally in dance concerts, festivals, local benefit events, theatrical plays, corporate venues, resorts, and nightclubs, both with her company and as a solo act. Megan has particularly enjoyed choreographing pieces for her advanced trapeze and silks students over the years, both in-house and on the road. She also delights in collaborations of all sorts, with fellow dancers and with other local artists and musicians.

In her non-aerial life, Megan is a naturalist, and attends Duke University for graduate studies in Ecosystem Science and Conservation, focusing on spatial variation in ecosystems for the purpose of conservation. She is honored to be a new part of the team at Legacy Studios!

Hayley began dancing at Bounds Dance Studio when she was seven years old. She danced seasonally in Triangle Youth Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker. From ages 8 - 16 she helped to choreograph Chapel Hill High School musicals as well as recitals for local studios. When Hayley was 16 she went to the Virginia School of the Arts for 1 year to study ballet and modern. During her senior year Hayley made the decision to become a teacher and returned to Durham.

Ms. Juric, fondly referred to here as "Miss Queen Eileen Standing Leg Ma'am Dude" studied with David Howard, Robert Joffrey, Maggie Black and Finis Jhung among others. She was a principal Dancer with the Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet under the direction of Maria Tallchief and performed leading roles in numerous Balanchine ballets during her professional career with such notables as Jacques D'Amboise, Ronald Perry and Hinton Battle. She received full scholarships to train at both School of American Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet School. After her performing career, she returned to the Joffrey Ballet School to teach in their children's program. She now uses her dance talents and her wonderful sense of humor to inspire young dancers with her high-energy, warm-hearted dance instruction.

Heather Lee is a North East native and a South East rooted artist who has been dancing and performing since she was a little girl. Currently living in Durham North Carolina, Heather specializes in Modern, Hip-Hop and African Dance with experience in Salsa, Lyrical, and Belly Dance. She has studied Modern, Contemporary and African Dance at the world renowned American Dance Festival in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and returned as a performer with the African American Dance Ensemble in 2010. She has been a lead dancer with Bellan Dance Theatre for 3 years, and was chosen for a Mark Dendy site specific piece for the re-opening of the North Carolina Museum of Art in 2010. She has taught classes for Southern High School, Durham Parks and Recreation and Ninth Street Dance. Currently working as the Program Director for the SpiritHouse Inc. Empowerment Through Dance Program (ETD), Heather uses her knowledge of dance and community engagement in her work with children, teens, and adults at Sato's Dance Academy in Durham, Angie's Dance Academy in Henderson NC, and at the Healing with CAARE Center in Durham.

Empowerment through dance encourages creative fluency through reflective movement and dance, which helps people of all ages, and varying skill levels, find new ways of moving through the world. Dance is more than just moves to Heather, it is a conversation between the dancer's mind, body and spirit, and the world around them. Through ETD Heather helps her pupils, novice and seasoned, have fun discovering and amplifying their individual and collective voices. Passionate about her work, Heather's unique views of the power hidden in movement helps her explore untapped medleys of diversity, creating space for her quirky unconventional, playful self, as she works towards a conventional and much more formalized degree in dance. "Dance," she says, "is where I connect with people, when they really see, and hear what I am trying to say." We can only hope that the people are watching, listening, and ready for what Heather has in store for them!

Gaspard Louis was a member of Pilobolus Dance Theater from 1996 to 2001. He has performed worldwide and collaborated on the choreography for nine major dance works with the company. He continues to do special projects with Pilobolus, the most recent being a commercial for Hyundai. He has also danced for Shirley Mordine and Company in Chicago and AllNations Dance Company in New York. Gaspard has choreographed for the Kentucky University Dance Ensemble and collaborated on four works for Freespace Dance Company in New Jersey. He has been a guest artist for the New York Renaissance Dance Festival and choreographed for and performed in a Caribbean music video. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Montclair State University and continued his studies on scholarship with Gus Giordano in Chicago and Nikolais/Louis Dance Lab in New York. Gaspard is currently directing ADF’s community creative movement program and co-teaching Haitian Creole at Duke University as well as running his own company, Gaspard Louis and Dancers.

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Bio under construction

Zay specializes in teaching aerial silk and aerial hoop (lyra) She has a background in acting and directing, with BA in Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University and has taken Circus classes with Nimble Arts (Now NECCA) & San Francisco Circus Center.

Born and raised in Bay City, Michigan, now lives the warmer climate of North Carolina. Focusing on new works in college, her acting credits include Where the Wild Things Are, The Yellow Wallpaper, and Seven Wonders, as well as Gypsy in Gypsy, Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Brighton Beach Memoirs.

Some creating and Directorial credits include Fallen at UAA (co-written and directed), Cirque du Symphony for Kids for Aerial Angels/Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Vaudeville! for Aerial Angels/Detroit Institute of Arts.

Zay is a member of Aerial Angels (www.angelsintheair.com), an aerial circus and variety entertainment company that has performed for everyone from Dignitary VIPs to children; from Alaska and Dubai to Singapore and Austria; performances range from street shows to corporate events to theatrical productions. Zay is also the Aerial Instructor at Aradia Fitness (www.aradiafitness.com) in Cary, NC. Zay recently moved to the Raleigh area and is excited to share aerial acrobatics with the women of the Triangle area!

Nancy is a native Californian who relocated to North Carolina in 1979. After the move to North Carolina, Nancy designed, marketed and exhibited her jewelry work in North Carolina galleries and museum shops. Through the North Carolina State Arts Council, she worked as a Visiting Artists in Residence at Gaston Community College in Dallas, NC. Following her residency as a Visiting Artist and after relocating to Durham in 1985, Nancy worked for the Durham Arts Council, Duke University, The Cippriano Crafts Center and Bounds Dance Studio. Currently, Nancy is working as the Office Administrator of Legacy Studios for The Performing Arts where she wears the hats of Office Manager, Registrar, Receptionist, Studio Mom to Students and Provider of Band-Aids.