Justin Leaf is a ballet teacher and performance artist originally from Hagerstown, Maryland. Justin was a company member of James Sewell Ballet (2002-2008) and Minnesota Dance Theatre (2008-2014) and independently danced original works by John Kelly, Morgan Thorson, and George Stamos, among others. Justin’s formative training included summers at the Kirov Academy and School of American Ballet, before spending a year in the Pre-Professional Division at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, followed by four years at The Juilliard School, graduating with a BFA in Dance Performance in 2001. Since that time, Justin has taught ballet for various schools and companies, including Ballet Co.Laboratory, Ballet Hispánico, James Sewell Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and Minnesota Ballet. Justin's choreography has been presented by Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, and Minnesota Orchestra, among others. Justin was awarded a McKnight Fellowship for Dancers in 2009 and the Zaraspe Prize for Outstanding Choreography in 2001.