Leann Alduenda
Assistant Professor, Dance Program
Contact Information
- Office: Bldg. 34, Rm. 226
- Phone: 805-756-1424
- Email: lalduend@calpoly.edu
Areas of Expertise
Jazz Dance, Tap Dance, Contemporary Jazz Dance, Choreography, Pedagogy
About Leann Alduenda
Leann Alduenda, Assistant Professor of Dance, is Southern California native and has been a dancer, choreographer and educator for over 30 years. She holds a B.A. in Dance Magna Cum Laude from UC Riverside, where she also received a Chancellor’s Scholarship, and holds an M.F.A. in Dance from UC Irvine where she was awarded the Leo Freeman Foundation Fellowship for choreographic and academic excellence. As a professional performer, Leann has danced with numerous companies, spending six years as a member of Rhapsody in Taps and also having been a solo artist with Jazz Spectrum Dance Company, Motion Tribe Dance Company, and Natural Reaction Dance Company, as well as, dancing in the inaugural season of Marrow Dance Company and on a few episodes of MadTV. Leann was a founding member of BARE Dance Company, Artistic Director Mike Esperanza and performed with the company for over 10 years. She is currently dancing with Fuse Dance Company, Artistic Director Joshua D. Romero and has been with the company since 2012. Most recently, Leann began work with the bi-coastal company Project X, also under the direction and creative force of choreographer Mike Esperanza.
In 2009, Leann received 2nd place at the Dance Under the Stars choreography competition at the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert, performing the duet choreography “Silk or Satin” by Mike Esperanza. She also performed at the McCallum as a finalist in 2007, performing the solo choreography “The Door” by Marie de la Palme.
Leann was an Associate Professor of Dance at Santa Ana College for eight years and served as a lecturer at Chapman University, UC Irvine, and Riverside Community College. She was the Artistic Director of the Jimmie DeFore Dance Center for 15 years, where she taught technique and performance classes, was the head choreographer for the teen performance company, co-directed the scholarship program, and co-directed the faculty choreography showcase. Leann has been an artist in residence at Mt. San Antonio College, Santa Ana College and Saddleback College and her choreography has been presented at numerous professional venues by various dance companies including Evoke Dance Company and AKOMIDANCE. Leann was also a choreographer in residence for freeFall Theater Company in St. Petersburg, Florida, Artistic Director Eric Davis.
Leann relishes in her role as an educator and choreographic designer, and has a constant desire to share her knowledge with others and encourage them to thrive. She inspires dancers to believe in themselves, be individual, spontaneous and forward thinking, as well as be strong supporters of community and inclusivity.