Although Rookie Lele has been on the Boston Cannons Dance Team a short time, the totality of her dance resume is long

In Lele’s young life, her ballet credits include the roles of Clara, the Snow Queen, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Odette in Swan Lake, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, the Autumn Fairy in Cinderella, and the Hawk in The Magic of Merlin. So why did Lele, a rookie on the Boston Cannons Dance Team, add performing on the Major League Lacrosse sidelines to her myriad of dance experiences?

“I heard about the team from a former Cannons dancer,” Lele replies, “when I was moving back to the area she suggested I try out. I am so glad that I did, these girls are amazing! I was on dance teams in college and very active in my athletic spirit club, so the Boston Cannons Dance Team seemed like the perfect fit because it combines dancing with promotions, spirit, and community service. The pom-poms are also wicked fun!”

And Lele is quite a bit of fun herself. Anyone who has a pink motorcycle on their wish list certainly likes a bit of color and excitement. Lele shared with UltimateCheerleaders her path to becoming ensconced in dance and ballet, why she may be the answer to a pro dance trivia question, and why she would be good to have around during a medical emergency.

Lele’s life journey started in Massachusetts, and she has returned to the Commonwealth, but with a few stops in between. “I was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and have spent most of my life in the Central Massachusetts area,” Lele describes. “I have also lived in the Berkshires, New York City, Erie, Pennsylvania, and Poughkeepsie, New York.”

Her family’s vacation travels also had a few stops along the way, and are among Lele’s favorite memories. “I have three siblings,” Lele details, “an older sister, Toni, older brother, Ben, and my ‘baby brodda’ Drew, as well as two dogs, Snoopy and Moxie. Growing up, my family spent lots of time in the car; we considered that our family bonding time. One summer, my mother took us on a cross-country road trip. It took a little over a month; we saw as many National Parks as possible and camped every night. I have so many wonderful memories from that trip and it was very cool to be able to experience it all with my family.”

So growing up with dogs, what does Lele prefer, big dogs or teeny tiny little purse sized dogs? “I love big dogs and small cats,” Lele says. “Small dogs are cute, I just can’t see myself with one.”

She generally goes by “Lele” but her given name is Leah. Did someone start calling her Lele and it stuck? “My older brother started calling me Lele when we were very young so it’s always been a (within the) family name, Lele says, “but in high school one of my close friends heard it and it has stuck since then.”

Currently a dance instructor, Lele’s dance journey began at the age of three. She started with instructors in the Boston area, and then Lele attended prestigious dance intensive programs with the American Ballet Theater, The Joffrey Ballet, Washington School of Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and Briansky Ballet. Lele accumulated her impressive list of ballet roles with Dance Prism, whose primary purpose is to bring the spectrum of ballet into the communities of New England. In 1994, Lele began dancing with the professional Boston-based touring ballet company and became the youngest appointed company member in 2006. In 2010, Lele studied in New York City under the guidance of an impressive list of instructors including Sheila Barker.

What factors lead to this impressive dance resume? “I think the most unique piece for me was having such a supportive family,” Lele says. “I was never pushed to do anything that I didn’t want to do and the support they gave came via applause and attendance. My brother and I started dance classes at the same time and it was just so natural for the both of us. We would feed off each other and that really helped each of us to excel. My mother was also a big piece of my success, she urged me to seize every opportunity possible in my life and did everything she could to make those opportunities a reality.”

Asked if she has personal favorite ballet, Lele responds, “It’s definitely very hard to choose a favorite since each ballet is so different; however, I do love the ballets that are fit for a family audience and that can really make you laugh. Those have always been the most fun to dance and watch.”

Her list of roles in impressive, but is there a role out there that Lele would love to have a chance to play? “I would love to have the chance to dance the role of Juliet in ‘Romeo and Juliet,’” replies Lele. “It’s such a beautiful and classic story and the dancing requires an extraordinary amount of passion.”

But classical dance is not Lele’s only dancing joy, and that links to the trivia question alluded to earlier. Now, readers, correct me if I am wrong, but I am going to go out on a limb and say Lele is the only person to be on a dance team for both the MLL and the NBA-Development League. During Lele’s time in Erie, she danced for the Erie Bayhawks Dance Team, and has also danced with college teams, the Laker Shakers Dance Team at Mercyhurst College in Erie, and the Marist College Dance Team in Poughkeepsie, New York, where Lele studied Athletic Training.

Now dancing for the Cannons, Lele is a longtime fan, and player, of lacrosse. “Lacrosse has always been one of my favorite sports,” explains Lele. “I love the energy and quickness of the game. I love the fact that you can’t take your eyes off the play for even a quick second. I was actually on my school’s varsity team my senior year of high school.”

Asked about aspects of lacrosse will get US fans hooked, Lele answers, “I think the whole atmosphere is what gets fans hooked. The lights, the play, the crowd, the cheers; it’s all part of the game and all part of the experience.”

And the joy of new experiences are important to Lele. For instance, in her Cannons on-line bio answers the question, “One of these days I’m going to…,” Lele responded, “Have a pink motorcycle.” Lele, details! Have you been riding motorcycles long? “I’ve only been on them for a couple years,” Lele describes, “never dreamed of riding before that, but it such a release. Driving down the road and being able to feel the wind rushing around your entire body, not just half of your face is incredible!”

Also in Lele’s Cannons bio, “What is your proudest accomplishment?,” despite all of the dance credits on her resume, Lele’s answer was, “Earning my New York State Emergency Medical Technician certification and being in the top 5 of my class.” What motivated Lele to take EMT training, and what traits make a successful EMT? “My sister is a paramedic in Boston,” explains Lele. “I’ve always been interested in the field but it was really her who motivated me to sign up. Once I was in the class, I realized it was exactly what I should be doing. Good personal attitude and conduct are essential to being a successful EMT. They need to be cooperative, resourceful, emotionally stable, and leaders. They also must have the ability to listen and communicate effectively.”

Lele is obviously incredibly fit, and her current fitness routine includes, “I visit the gym religiously but I’m constantly changing up my routine to keep it interesting” Lele says. “I also teach dance during the school year so that keeps me very active.”

Boston is known as a city with a such a strong musical side across the spectrum of classical to classic rock to future classics. Lele, who played flute, piccolo, and drums in middle school, sang in the chorus, and can also play a little piano, listed her favorites of the Boston music scene, as, “I absolutely love the Boston Pops, their concerts are always fun. I’m also a huge fan of Guster, Aerosmith, and the Dropkick Murphy’s.”

Lele’s local musical tastes symbolize her wide range of interests and experiences. Whether the wind is whipping through her hair on a motorcycle, or during a 32 fouettés en tournant, or through the stands at Harvard Stadium as she dances for the Cannons, Lele will smile with true joy at the feeling, and jump for a chance for seconds. Local songwriters could create a catalog of songs getting inspired by Lele, whose life, in classic rock terms, is a bit “Born to Run,” “Pink Cadillac,” and “Tiny Dancer,” to just name a few.

We thank Lele SO much for allowing us to learn about the varied facets of her life, and we so so appreciate Ashley Wagner, Director/Choreographer of the Boston Cannons Dance Team!

More photos of Lele from the Cannons home game against Denver are at this link.