Leyland Simmons was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He began his formal dance training with Barbara Devereaux of the Royal Academy School of Dance in Anchorage, Alaska and the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy. He later studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Miami City Ballet, The School of American Ballet, Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, The Ailey School and Ballet Divertimento in Montreal, Canada. Leyland is a Graduate of the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City and a former member of Ailey 2 and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Mr. Simmons has also performed with the New York City Ballet, Peridance Ensemble, Forces of Nature Dance Company, Nathan Trice’s/Rituals, George Faison and Ballet X. Leyland has also performed at Jacob’s Pillow, the Cincinnati, Moscow and Miami International Ballet Festivals. Leyland is also a sought after teacher having taught at notable institutions like the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem School for the Arts, Steps on Broadway, NYU, and the Ailey School. Mr. Simmons is also a graduate of the Workshop in Business Opportunities Program and a member of the School of American Ballet’s Alumni Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. He is also a certified teacher in the American Ballet Theater Pre-Primary to Level Three Curriculum, and an American Ballet Theater Affiliate teacher. Leyland holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Masters’ Degree in Dance Education (K-12 concentration) from NYU. Leyland’s choreography has been presented at the Apollo Theater, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington DC, and E-moves 18 at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse. In 2017 at Harlem School of the Arts Leyland became the resident choreographer, in 2020 he was appointed to Director of Dance, and in 2020 the Chair of Dance. For more information visit www.LeylandSimmons.com