Our Dream Team

Meet the passionate and dedicated team behind Leighton Dance Project.

Meet Our Founder & Visionary Leader

At the heart of Leighton Dance Project is a leader who brings equal parts purpose, passion, and innovation to everything she does. As the founder and creative force behind LDP, she leads with a clear vision: to create a space where young dancers grow not only as artists, but as empowered, compassionate humans.

A dynamic blend of artistry and strategy, she is known for her ability to fuse high-level business thinking with deep emotional intelligence. Whether she’s choreographing a show that sparks important conversations or reimagining the way a studio can run, her leadership is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and bold creativity.

She’s not afraid to dive into the real stuff: the hard topics, the silent struggles, the dreams that feel just out of reach, because she knows that dance has the power to move more than just bodies. It can move hearts, shift mindsets, and spark change.

Always evolving, always learning, she leads with heart and invites others to rise with her, cultivating a culture of trust, excellence, and connection. Under her leadership, Leighton Dance Project isn’t just a place to train. It’s a place to grow, to belong, and to become.

Contact Us

Or Phone Us On

(916) 668-8100

Kelli Leighton

Founder & Artistic Director, Leighton Dance Project

At the heart of Leighton Dance Project (LDP) is Kelli Leighton, a visionary leader who blends purpose, passion, and innovation in everything she does. As the founder and creative force behind LDP, Kelli leads with a clear and powerful vision to create a space where young dancers grow not only as artists but as empowered, compassionate humans.

Kelli’s career spans many significant accomplishments in the dance world. Before founding LDP in 2013, she was the founder and Artistic Director of CORE Contemporary Dance, a premier professional dance company in the Sacramento region from 2007 to 2018. Her choreography, deeply inspired by the human experience, has been performed across the country, including New York, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh, and has garnered recognition at major festivals such as the McCallum Theatre’s Choreography Festival. Her choreography continues to receive recognition both locally and nationally.

Known for her ability to fuse high-level business thinking with deep emotional intelligence, Kelli is not just a choreographer but a leader who embraces bold creativity and authenticity. Whether choreographing work that sparks important conversations or reimagining studio culture, Kelli’s leadership is rooted in empathy and a commitment to meaningful growth. She’s not afraid to dive into the real topics, the silent struggles, the hard truths, and the dreams that feel just out of reach because she knows that dance has the power to move more than just bodies. It can shift mindsets, open hearts, and ignite positive change.

A dedicated educator, Kelli has been honored as Dance Educator of the Year in the Sacramento region several times and continues to mentor dance studio owners globally as part of the Dance Studio Owners Association. LDP students, under her guidance, have gone on to dance professionally and attend top collegiate programs. Kelli’s leadership style encourages trust, excellence, and a sense of belonging, transforming LDP into more than just a place to train, but a community where dancers become the best versions of themselves.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kelli is a proud mother of four beautiful children, Bo, London, Hudson, and Cooper, and a wife to her supportive husband, Josh. With her unique contemporary style, her passion for dance, and her unwavering belief in the power of human connection, Kelli continues to inspire and lead with heart, creating a culture where dancers grow, belong, and thrive.