Born and raised in Southern Oregon, Leslie Ann Larson received her early dance training in Medford, most notably with Mary Margaret Mullen. At fifteen, she was invited to train on a full-scholarship at a small prestigious school in Seattle, Washington, called The Dance Laboratory. She learned under distinguished teachers Fleming Halby of the Royal Danish Ballet, with whom she acquired a complete Danish style and technique and Charles Bennett of the American Ballet Theatre. With Bennett, Ms. Larson developed herself as a young artist with a conscientious work ethic and professional attitude. She was also mentored by the great Flamenco Artist Sara De Luis over a period of two years. She then continued her training earning a full-scholarship to study at The Joffrey Ballet School in New York. There, she was fortunate to study and learn under Joffrey Alumni Francesca Corkle and Trinette Singleton.

In 1985, Leslie Ann Larson joined the Oakland Ballet Company under the direction of Ronn Guidi. Being instilled by a tradition of The Ballets Russes’ influence and repertory, Ms. Larson established herself as a strong performer in such ballets as Leonide Massine’s La Boutique Fantasque, Antony Tudor’s The Lilac Garden, Agnes De Mille’s Fall River Legend, Kurt Joos’ The Green Table, as well as Bronislava Nijinska’s Les Noces and Les Biches. Ms. Larson also distinguished herself in the ballet Giselle staged by Frederic Franklin, dancing the famous Peasant pas de deux.

In 1989, Ms. Larson became a member of Ballet West in Salt Lake City under the direction of John Hart CBE and from 1997 to 2004, under Jonas Kåge. It is at Ballet West that Ms. Larson extended her range as an artist, dancing a multitude of roles, both in the full-length classics and in original creations. Under John Hart, she received a complete artistic formation directly from the famed Royal Ballet tradition, performing in great English ballets such as Frederick Ashton’s The Dream and learning from great Ballet Masters Elaine Thomas and Denise Schultz. In her 15 years with Ballet West, Leslie Ann Larson made her mark in such roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the 2nd Pas de Deux in Antony Tudor’s The Leaves are Fading, as Princess Florine in the Blue Bird pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty, as The First Sylph in Peter Schaufuss’ La Sylphide, as Adele in Ronald Hynd’s Rosalinda and as a Principal in Balanchine’s Who Cares? and in the 2nd theme pas de deux from The Four Temperaments. She has also has been a lead dancer in the best of the contemporary répertoire, most notably in Hans Van Manen’s Polish Pieces, Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena and Book of Alleged Dances, Christopher Bruce’s Ghost Dances, William Forsythe’s ... in the middle, somewhat elevated and as the Roasted Swan in John Butler’s Carmina Burana. In 2004, Ms. Larson was appointed Ballet Mistress of Central West Ballet, Modesto.