Leigh Schanfein
Leigh Schanfein is a freelance dancer, choreographer, and teacher as well as an independent researcher in the fields of kinesiology and biomechanics. After 11 years in NYC, she relocated her home to Billings, Montana. Leigh has trained and performed across the USA and abroad in modern, ballet, and contemporary dance. Her most recent collaboration was presented at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2021. Leigh received her M.S. degree in kinesiology with a specialization in biomechanics, and her B.S. degree in animal physiology and neuroscience with a minor in dance. As a graduate student, she received multiple awards for her research with dancers, which focused on the mechanisms by which humans control balance and how sensory feedback is integrated for the control of posture. For five years, Leigh worked as a research associate at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, part of NYU Langone Health. Her research there covered a wide range of topics concerning injury prevention among dancers. Leigh has taught courses in health, motor development, biomechanics lab, and anatomy. In 2015, she joined the faculty at Barnard College as adjunct lecturer of biomechanics in the department of dance, and was invited to join the faculty of MSUB in January 2021.
Current Classes
Click Class Title for more info.
ABOUT
Moving beyond the Intermediate Level. Center work will consist of an adagio, a tendu combination, jumps – including petit allegro and batterie, and pirouette preparations and turns. Dancers will begin to work on attitude positions, as well as, develop their grande rond de jambe and rond de jambe en l’air. Corner work will consist of jump, waltz, and various traveling combinations, including grande allegro, kept in time to the music. These combinations may exceed 2 eight counts of movement. Dancers will learn basic kinesiology and stage placement. They will be given literature on anatomy for dancers. dancers must have at least four years experience, take at least one other ballet class a week, and have the instructor’s permission to register for the class. Class is recommended for dancers ages 11 and up. Returning students should always refer to their spring evaluation to determine the appropriate fall class to take.
ABOUT
Moving beyond the Intermediate Level. Center work will consist of an adagio, a tendu combination, jumps – including petit allegro and batterie, and pirouette preparations and turns. Dancers will begin to work on attitude positions, as well as, develop their grande rond de jambe and rond de jambe en l’air. Corner work will consist of jump, waltz, and various traveling combinations, including grande allegro, kept in time to the music. These combinations may exceed 2 eight counts of movement. Dancers will learn basic kinesiology and stage placement. They will be given literature on anatomy for dancers. dancers must have at least four years experience, take at least one other ballet class a week, and have the instructor’s permission to register for the class. Class is recommended for dancers ages 11 and up. Returning students should always refer to their spring evaluation to determine the appropriate fall class to take.