TEAM
Artists:
Leslie Harper:
Owner/Artistic Director
Leslie spent nine years touring and dancing professionally with Ballet Magnificat, sharing the Gospel through dance across the U.S., Europe, Canada, Israel, and Africa. She performed in concert halls, opera houses, schools, and public venues, and regularly taught ballet, pointe, and choreography at Ballet Magnificat's Summer Dance Intensive and ballet schools nationwide.
After retiring from full-time touring, Leslie relocated to the Atlanta area, teaching primarily at Perimeter Ballet.
Now a resident of Auburn, an active member of First Baptist Opelika, and a Missional Community Host, she continues to guest-teach, perform, and model, while also working at Bright Beginnings Preschool and First Baptist Academy.
As the owner, artistic director, and CEO of AO Ballet, LLC, Leslie loves helping young dancers develop technical excellence and reach their full artistic potential . . . while sharing "Ballet, Love, and Smiles for Auburn and Opelika."
Hannah Thigpen:
Instructor
Hannah grew up locally in Auburn and danced with local studios for the past 14 years. She spent every summer at intensives with companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Andalusia Ballet, and Montgomery Ballet. She also trained for a year in Dance Theatre of Harlem’s pre-professional program and trained privately with dancers such as Olivia MacKinnon, New York City Ballet soloist, and former principal dancer Stevan Grebel.
Currently, Hannah is a student at Auburn University pursuing her bachelors in special education and a minor in dance. She’s also an active member of Church of the Highlands and serves in children’s ministry there.
As Hannah continues her own dance journey, she hopes to inspire her students to work hard, follow their dreams, and keep dancing through life.
Ruthie Hatfield-Ferrell:
Instructor Assistant
Ruthie Hatfield-Ferrell grew up on a farm in south Georgia and has been a resident of Auburn since 2011. She attended Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education.
She taught 1st and 2nd grade for 10 years and was the Director of a Christian Preschool in Troy, Alabama for 10 years.
She is an active member of Tenth Street Church of Christ in Opelika where she has enjoyed teaching children's bible classes, VBS, and a children's ministry called
"Kids of the King".
Currently, Ruthie provides Caregiving Services for the elderly in our community and enjoys helping with the Baby Ballet and Pre-Ballet classes. She provides lots of hugs, praise, encouragement, trips to the bathroom, help with putting on ballet shoes, and anything else needed to help the classes run smoothly without interruption.
Ruthie enjoys every opportunity to be a positive and encouraging influence in the lives of others.
Staff:
Scott Harper:
Janitor/Handyman/Cheerleader
With over three years of (watching) ballet experience, Scott is excellent at opening stubborn jars, moving heavy objects, and keeping the grass cut and floors clean.
As the husband of an amazingly talented and beautiful wife, Scott enjoys cheering Leslie on in her endeavors.
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"Let them praise His name with dancing." Psalm 149:3