After nearly five years, our Managing Director, Leigh Lehman will be leaving Rhythm & Motion to pursue other endeavors. It goes without saying that she has made a tremendous impact on R&M with her style of leadership, collaboration, masterful communication and care for our communities. Thank you, Leigh!

Read the heartfelt message from Leigh below:

After serving almost five years as Rhythm & Motion’s Managing Director, the time has come for me to move on to other professional adventures. My last regular day in the R&M office will be Friday, September 13, although I will be back for a spell to help ensure a smooth transition once someone new is hired. (Look for the job announcement coming soon.)

I want to thank each of you for your special part in helping to make Rhythm & Motion the singular, vibrant program that is it today. I’ve never been happier to be able to put my skills in arts administration towards such a great cause! In my role as Managing Director, I have had the tremendous honor of witnessing this community from the rather unique angle of both a student and a leader, up close and at large. I marvel at the unparalleled skill of our teachers, with their passion for dance and self-expression so palpable in every class. They make it look easy and effortless, but I can attest to the incredibly hard work they put in to create that magical, inviting atmosphere R&M is known for, one that engages not only the body but also the head and the heart, that mixes physical rigor with joyful delirium. I’ve gotten to witness their training and the ins and outs of their daily preparation, and still have no idea how they do it.

I’ve also have the opportunity in my role to regularly experience the larger R&M force field that is comprised of beautiful people like you. Whether you drop in sporadically or have been coming to class every single day for decades, together we are doing DEEP work. Every day when I come to work I see a thriving, growing, heartbeat of a community filled with vibrant, caring individuals invested in bettering the world and celebrating our shared humanity. You are makers and doers, educators and caretakers, activists and artists, and a million other things. And R&M is the well that you return to in order to fill your own tank with love and strength and optimism. Who knew that pliés really can lead to world peace!

I am humbled by Rhythm & Motion’s illustrious 40-year history, and am thankful for the opportunity I have had to contribute to its continued growth and stability. In just the past few years, we’ve trained many new teachers and have extended our reach to five new locations, with two more currently in the works. We’ve also grown our community outreach efforts, doubling the size of our Pride Parade contingent and forging an exciting new partnership with Life Academy high school in Oakland. Also, right now we are laying the groundwork to participate in an exciting multi-year research study on the healing power of dance at UBC in Vancouver. Things are popping!

Finally, before I sign off, I want to give a shout out to my partner in all things R&M, the inimitable Dudley Flores. His visionary thinking and limitless passion astound and inspire me daily. I am grateful for all he has taught me, and am thankful that I’ll get to continue learning from him (and from ALL of the R&M faculty) in the studio long after my work in the office wraps up.

Yours in dance,
Leigh