Justin Leaf is a performance artist and ballet teacher based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Justin was a company member of James Sewell Ballet from 2002 to 2008 and Minnesota Dance Theatre from 2008 to 2014. Independently, he has danced works by John Kelly, Morgan Thorson, and George Stamos. Justin’s formative training included The Kirov Academy, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School before attending The Juilliard School, where he graduated with a BFA in dance performance in 2001. Since 1999, Justin has taught ballet for various schools and companies, including as a faculty member of Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, and Ballet Co.Laboratory, and as guest teacher for Minnesota Ballet and Ballet Hispánico. Justin’s choreography has been presented by Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, and Minnesota Orchestra, among others. Justin is a recipient of the Zaraspe Prize for Outstanding Choreography (2001), Minnesota SAGE Award for Best Performance (2007), McKnight Fellowship for Dancers (2009), and Next Step Fund Grant (2014).