RSB Guest Faculty June 19th - 23rd Jessie Parmelee Jessie Parmelee was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she trained at Ballet Etudes. In addition, she trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Burklyn Ballet Theatre and The Rock School for Dance Education. She has had a diverse performing background and has danced professionally all over the country with companies including Inland Pacific Ballet, American National Ballet, and Louisville Ballet. She was honored to be a part of Disney’s 50th Anniversary Celebration as an entertainer aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship. Later on in her career, Jessie expanded her horizons to include musical theater, performing in Phantom, CATS, and The Producers, to name a few. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Jessie is also a certified Pilates instructor with a specialization in dance and is passionate about shaping the performers of tomorrow. Leslie Jane Pessemier Leslie Jane Pessemier, a nationally recognized, New York based choreographer and teacher for over thirty-five years, is originally from Tacoma, Washington. She was chosen as one of seven international finalists for the Boston Ballet’s Choreographic Competition, and has created ballets for professional and regional companies throughout the country, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Joffrey II Company, Indianapolis Ballet Theatre and Baltimore Ballet, as well as having works presented in China and in Austria’s YoungTanzsommer Dance Festival. Ms. Pessemier’s achievements in dance have made her the recipient of many awards and grants including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York City, Pennsylvania State and Washington State Arts Councils, a Jerome Foundation Grant, a four-time fellow to the Carlisle National Choreography Project, the Leona Norman Award, and four Monticello College Foundation Choreographic Scholarships. Five of her ballets have been placed on the National Choreography Plan. Ms. Pessemier has been Associate Director of the Baltimore Ballet, Resident Choreographer and Ballet Mistress for Pennsylvania Ballet Theatre, four-time Director of the National Choreography Conference, and Adjudicator for seven Regional Dance America Festivals and three Regional American College Dance Festivals. Ms. Pessemier has been on the faculty of the International Ballet School for the VI U.S.A. International Ballet Competition and her ballets have been chosen to represent Regional Dance America in two U.S.A. International Ballet Competitions. This summer will mark her sixteenth year as Director of Choreography for the Glenda Brown National Choreography Project in Kansas City. .