Amy Franklin Leonards
Amy Franklin-Leonards is a Texas-based Equity actor, singer, dancer, educator, and the current Ballet Director at Texas Arts Dance Academy. With a career that spans the stage, screen, and studio, Amy brings both technical excellence and heartfelt mentorship to every dancer she teaches.
Originally from Louisiana, Amy’s early training was rooted in classical ballet, tap, and jazz, with ballet always holding a special place in her heart. She studied multiple techniques—including Vaganova, Cecchetti, and RAD—building a foundation that would carry her into a lifelong career in the arts. She earned her BA in Performing Arts from Centenary College of Louisiana before moving to Los Angeles, where she began performing professionally and rebuilt a ballet program for a thriving dance studio.
Amy’s performance career has taken her from the West Coast to the Bay Area, where she became a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and performed in productions such as Anything Goes (Hope), Enchanted April (Rose, world premiere), The Music Man (Marian), A Chorus Line (Maggie), and CATS (Jellylorum). Her commercial and print credits include national campaigns for Ford, Legal Zoom, LeapFrog, and Salesforce, and she is currently represented by the Neil Hamil Agency.
While in Northern California, Amy spent five years developing a successful ballet program at Performing Academy. She later earned an MA in Education and became a certified educator, bringing that same care and precision to her work with students in both academic and performing arts settings.
As a Creative Generations mentor, Amy offers young dancers not only technical guidance, but the mindset needed to grow with confidence, adaptability, and joy. She believes in leading with encouragement and authenticity, reminding dancers that artistry and self-belief are just as vital as physical training. Amy loves to be living proof that you can follow all of your dreams—especially when you stay curious, stay committed, and stay true to your whole self.
She now lives in Texas with her husband and their two amazing children, continuing to balance family life with a thriving career in education and the arts.
