Leslie Ferreira | 3rd Street Dance Owner & LA Bachata Festival Co-Founder

Leslie Ferreira: Owner of 3rd Street Dance & Pioneer of Bachata in Los Angeles

Leslie Ferreira is a renowned dance educator, entrepreneur, producer, and cultural leader whose influence on the Los Angeles dance community spans more than 25 years. She is the owner of 3rd Street Dance, one of LA’s most iconic dance studios, and the founder and producer of the Los Angeles Bachata Festival, the first Bachata festival in Los Angeles.

Through her leadership, Leslie has helped shape Bachata, Latin social dance, and dance education in Los Angeles, while preserving and revitalizing one of the city’s most historic dance institutions.

A Leader in Bachata & Latin Dance Education

With over 25 years of professional experience, Leslie Ferreira is internationally recognized as a leading expert in Bachata and Latin social dance. She is widely credited with helping develop and popularize LA-style Bachata beginning in the mid-2000s, and has taught, performed, and trained dancers across the United States and around the world.

Her work emphasizes:

• Musicality and connection

• Clear communication between partners

• Practical skills for real social dance environments

Leslie’s approach has influenced thousands of dancers and instructors, making her one of the most respected voices in modern Bachata education. Her approach can be experienced firsthand through the Bachata classes in Los Angeles offered at 3rd Street Dance.

3rd Street Dance: Preserving a Los Angeles Dance Legacy

3rd Street Dance was founded in 1979 and has long been recognized as one of Los Angeles’ most legendary dance studios. The studio has served as a creative home for generations of dancers and has been featured in countless film, television, and celebrity projects, including Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance.

Leslie Ferreira began teaching at 3rd Street Dance in 2007, becoming an integral part of the studio’s artistic and educational fabric. In 2014, when the studio was facing permanent closure, Leslie stepped in and took over ownership, ensuring its survival and future. Under her leadership, 3rd Street Dance has not only remained open — it has evolved. Learn more about the history, instructors, and programs offered at 3rd Street Dance in Los Angeles.

Owner of 3rd Street Dance: Growth, Stability & Vision

Since taking ownership, Leslie has guided 3rd Street Dance through a period of renewal and expansion, honoring its historic legacy while modernizing its programming and operations.

Today, 3rd Street Dance is known for:

• High-quality instruction for beginners through professionals

• A diverse schedule including Bachata, Salsa, ballroom, swing, tango, hip hop, heels, and more

• A welcoming, inclusive dance community

• Continued use as a premier location for TV, film, and celebrity training

Leslie’s business leadership blends artistry, education, and operational strategy, creating a sustainable model for a modern dance studio in Los Angeles.

View the current dance class schedule to explore classes across Bachata, Salsa, and more.

Founder of the Los Angeles Bachata Festival

Leslie Ferreira is the founder and producer of the Los Angeles Bachata Festival, established in 2009. As the first Bachata festival in Los Angeles, the event played a major role in positioning LA as a global destination for Bachata and Latin social dance.

The festival brings together:

• International artists and instructors

• Thousands of dancers from around the world

• Multi-day workshops, performances, and social dancing

Through this festival, Leslie has elevated Bachata culture, created professional opportunities for artists, and helped define the standard for large-scale Latin dance events in the U.S.

A Trailblazer in Dance Entrepreneurship

As a female studio owner, festival producer, and cultural leader, Leslie Ferreira has built her career by stepping into moments of risk and turning them into opportunities for growth. Taking ownership of a historic studio on the brink of closure is a reflection of her resilience, leadership, and long-term vision.

Her work extends beyond performance:

• Mentoring instructors and emerging leaders

• Developing educational and teacher-training programs

• Advocating for dance as a powerful tool for confidence, communication, and community

Legacy, Leadership & Impact

Today, Leslie Ferreira stands as a key figure in Los Angeles dance culture, balancing respect for history with forward-thinking innovation. Through 3rd Street Dance and the Los Angeles Bachata Festival, she has:

• Preserved one of LA’s most iconic dance studios

• Shaped the evolution of Bachata in Los Angeles

• Built sustainable platforms for dancers and educators

• Inspired generations through education, leadership, and vision

Her impact continues to be felt locally and internationally — not just in how dance is taught, but in how dance communities are built and sustained.

Leslie also supports dancer development through structured beginner dance classes in Los Angeles.

About 3rd Street Dance

3rd Street Dance, founded in 1979 and owned by Leslie Ferreira since 2014, is one of Los Angeles’ most respected dance studios, offering world-class instruction in social, performance, and partner dance styles for all ages and levels.