Leilani Smith

is a San Diegan native and began her dance career at the age of 8, at Georgia’s School of Dance. She began her training in multiple genres, including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Lyrical, but quickly discovered that Ballet and Contemporary were her passions. Under the training of Elena Baltovick and Jessie Leigh Olson, she refined her technique and achieved many awards and accolades. Leilani was a trainee with Lynch Dance Institute’s pre-professional program for 4 years under the direction of former Pacific Northwest Ballet soloists, Timothy Lynch and Alexandra Dickson. She has trained with Pacific Northwest Ballet over 4 summers on scholarship and was invited to attend their professional division program. Leilani has also trained at the Miami City Ballet summer program, Alonzo King Lines, and Laguna Dance Festival. She has worked with world-renowned choreographers: Desmond Richardson, Jodie Gates, Karine Plantadit, Sonyia Dawkins, Kirsten Cooper, and Kayla Kalbfleisch. Leilani has won multiple awards and scholarships including 2nd place YAGP regionals Classical, 3rd place YAGP regionals contemporary, Tremaine Dance Convention full scholarship, NYCDA Regional Teen Outstanding Dancer, and is a Laguna Dance Festival Young Artist scholarship recipient. This is Leilani’s second season as a Fresh Congress company member, where she was recently a part of they’re production “Rose Colored Griefs” back in March.