Nicholas Leschke, First soloist Birthplace Newton, Wisconsin Dance Training Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance The Virginia School of the Arts Joined the Company 1996 Promoted to First Soloist 2006 Favorite Role Monsieur G.M. in Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Manon One defining moment... I was given the opportunity to perform the title role in Dracula for the first time as a corps de ballet member. Born and raised in Newton, Wisconsin, Nicholas Leschke began his dance training in the nearby city of Manitowoc with Jean Wolfmeyer. After four years of training at the Virginia School of the Arts, Mr. Leschke performed with Ballet Austin for one year. In July 1996, Mr. Leschke joined Houston Ballet as an apprentice and quickly moved through the ranks to become a soloist in 2000. Mr. Leschke’s repertoire includes a variety of roles. In classical ballets, he has been featured in Manon, Madame Butterfly, Peter Pan, Dracula, Don Quixote, Giselle, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra, Les Patineurs, The Snow Maiden, The Firebird, and The Nutcracker. His contemporary repertoire includes The Four Temperaments, Serenade, Etudes, Four Last Songs, Gloria, Sinfonietta, Without Words, Ghost Dances, Sergeant Early’s Dream, Second Before the Ground, Touched, Bound, Indigo, Bruiser, Company B, In the Beginning, Steppenwolf, In a Whisper, and Flames of Eros. Photo from Tu Tu: Drew Donovan.