Bio content provided by individual
Teacher Bio
Cara Leggio is a native New Yorker, dancer, choreographer, instructor and creative artist. Born and raised on Long Island, she grew up studying all genres of dance. Cara attended a performing arts high school and spent her summers attending the Joffrey Ballet School's various Summer Intensives, as well as other collegiate and international intensives....Read more
Cara Leggio is a native New Yorker, dancer, choreographer, instructor and creative artist. Born and raised on Long Island, she grew up studying all genres of dance. Cara attended a performing arts high school and spent her summers attending the Joffrey Ballet School's various Summer Intensives, as well as other collegiate and international intensives. (A favorite being an Exchange Program with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia.) She received scholarship to attend The Joffrey Ballet School starting as a Ballet Trainee, then eventually joining the Jazz & Contemporary Program. She then continued her education graduating from The Institute for American Musical Theatre on scholarship in the Inaugural Class.
Cara has performed and choreographed in renowned New York theaters such as Symphony Space (Lincoln Center), Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Dixon Place, etc. Some of her performing highlights include; Cabaret (Frenchie) with The Heights Players, West Side Story (Jet Girl Clarice and Dance & Fight Captain) with Sioux City Symphony; Six Flags: Unleashed, Broadway Bares, & traveling across the country for concert events and touring productions.
Some choreographic highlights include; The Addams Family, Beetlejuice, Legally Blonde, and more (Engeman Theater), Mamma Mia, Hairspray, and more (Plaza Theatrical), Alice By Heart, The Prom, and more (Ghostlight), self-producing a full evening length Choreography Showcase at the Martha Graham Theatre as well as many dance film projects, & working with Josh Prince in New York Dance Lab’s Inaugural choreography intensive.
Cara is an instructor with Equinox (being a part of kickstarting Ballet by ABT +EQX is a big highlight) and she is honored to be a part of BDC’s Children and Teens Program, helping young artists find their own passion for dance! She continues to perform and create as often as possible all over New York City and beyond.
Follow Cara on all socials @cara_leggs
Class Descriptions
Cara's classes focus on technique; building strength and coordination, as well as artistry; finding your own unique style and POV. Dancers have been coming to the barre and practicing these exercises for generations, in this class you can allow yourself to feel like you are coming to this sacred ritual in a safe and encouraging space that celebrates this rich history while making space for the now. Cara’s class will always take you through a full class, from plie to grand allegro. Whether brand new to dance or a professional, this class will both challenge and inspire you to improve your foundation while finding moments of joy celebrating movement
This class incorporates fundamentals of ballet and bodyweight conditioning. Follow a short center barre, light stretch and bodyweight conditioning exercises (abs, glutes, planks, etc) and move quickly through a series of turns, jumps, combinations, and across the floor, ending with a short cool down and reverance. This class is ideal for a technique check in, a warm up before auditions or performances, or a more accessible, athletic, fitness class approach to ballet while still feeling like a prima!
In Jazz class, you will start with light cardio to get the body moving and warm, move through a technical warm up, stretching, and core conditioning, before moving to a turn drill, progressions across the floor, and a short combo to tie everything together. This class is definitely for your inner technician, working to level up your skill and craft. Whether brand new to dance or a professional, this class will both challenge and inspire you to improve your foundation while finding moments of joy celebrating movement!