Leslie is an Atlanta native and has been dancing since the age of 3. Formally trained at the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theater, she has worked with many renowned teachers and choreographers such as Ruth Mitchell, Katherine McBeth, Lisa Toups, Shelley Grames, and Winthrop Corey. As a member of the pre-professional company, Leslie performed many lead roles such as the Dew Drop Fairy and Arabian Soloist in the Nutcracker; Winter Fairy in Cinderella; Tinker Bell in Peter Pan; and performed lead roles at the annual South Eastern Regional Ballet Association. She has also spent summers training at the North Carolina Dance Theater and the American Ballet Theater summer intensive programs.

Leslie continued her dance training at the University of Alabama where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in dance and minor in nutrition. While at Alabama, she was a member of the Alabama Repertory Dance Theater where she worked with many wonderful teachers and choreographers such as Cornelius Carter, Sarah Barry, and Ping Guo. She performed many lead roles such as Spring Fairy in Cinderella, Baby Swans and Italian Soloist in Sleeping Beauty, and Shade Soloist in La Bayadere. Leslie was also a member of Dance Alabama!, a student choreographed production that put on performances twice a year.

Leslie discovered her passion for teaching while at Alabama and loves to share her love of dance with her students. She has worked with all age levels and loves to challenge her students so that they can grow as a dancer and as a person.