About New Heights Dance Theater
About Us
New Heights Dance Theater, a resident dance company of Clemens Center, is a non-profit organization that has members throughout the Twin Tiers region. It is our goal to bring performers ages six years and older together to show off their talents, produce high quality productions for this community, as well as demonstrate their love for dance and the arts.
Since 2000, we have had over 1000 men, women and children enjoy our winter production of The Nutcracker in Motion. We have offered several spring productions over the years, the longest running was Legends! A Tribute to ... which highlighted the music world's most popular artists such as Michael Jackson, Queen and Aerosmith. Starting in 2026, we have added a summer musical to our annual events.
Our alumni continue to return to our productions, both on stage and as part of our backstage team. Our NHDT family expands each year and continues to support our newest members as they pursue their stage dreams.
Meet Our Artistic Team
Leslie Updyke
Founder & Artistic Director
Miss Leslie is the owner, director, and dance instructor of Leslie School of Dance and Artistic Director/Choreographer of the New Heights Dance Theater.
Leslie studied with Madame Halina in Elmira beginning at the age of three. Leslie opened Leslie School of Dance in Elmira in September of 1991, and the Watkins Glen Studio in September of 2004. She attended Mercyhurst College and the State University of New York – Purchase, majoring in ballet with a concentration in teaching and has a business administration degree from Corning Community College.
Leslie has performed with the Elmira Corning Ballet Company, the Twin Tiers Ballet Theater and with the Mercyhurst and Purchase Dance Corps. She was involved with many professional productions performing multiple lead roles. She has choreographed the Nutcracker in Motion and Walking on the Horizon. Leslie prides herself on offering a very artistic approach to teaching ballet.
Leslie, and her husband, Greg, have three children and reside in Watkins Glen.
Leslie can be reached at either of the Leslie School of Dance locations in Elmira Heights and Watkins Glen
Tina Ranck
Assistant Artistic Director
Miss Tina was born and raised in Elmira. She is proud to continue to live here with her husband and three sons. She is a hair stylist in Painted Post for Shear Illusions, as well continuing her dream in instructing dance.
Tina studied classical ballet with Rafael Grigorian for twelve years where she performed in The Nutcracker, Baba Yaga, Chipillino, and Romeo and Juliet. While studying for eight years at Leslie School of Dance, she performed in the Nutcracker in Motion, Fairytales, and Stepping into the Season. Tina has been teaching at Leslie School of Dance since 2000, and has been a choreographer for New Heights Dance Theater for 20 years.
Leanne Hull
Artistic Choreographer
Miss Leanne has been dancing since age three, studying and dancing competitively at studios in Central New York. She is a graduate of Ithaca College where she received a B.S. in Exercise Science and a Minor in Dance. During college, Leanne was a member of the Ithaca College Dance Team which competed in the Universal Dance Association’s National Collegiate Dance Championships, televised on ESPN, and claimed a spot in the top 20 nationally ranked dance teams. Her main focus was to study the involvement and importance of nutritional counseling, cardiovascular exercise, and weight training in dancers which lead her to receive a certification as a Personal Trainer & Nutritional Specialist. Leanne also holds a certification in Progressing Ballet Technique, allowing dancers a deeper knowledge in both ballet and contemporary technique and execution. She is also a member of the International Association of Dance Science and Medicine. In the past Leanne taught and choreographed for the Princess Mhoon Dance Institute in Washington, DC and was the owner of LA Dance Academy in Edmeston, NY for 9 years before moving locally with her husband and daughters.
Isaac Campbell
Artistic Director
Isaac Campbell is a choreographer and director based in Corning, NY with more than two decades of experience in educational and community theatre. Together with his wife Valine, he has contributed to over 40 productions across regional schools and organizations including Corning-Painted Post, Troy High School, Mansfield University, and Corning Community College.
His choreography spans a wide range of productions from classic musicals like Les Misérables, Anything Goes and Chicago to contemporary titles such as Newsies and Mean Girls. Isaac is recognized for creating high-energy, accessible choreography that enhances storytelling and builds performer confidence.
He continues to mentor young performers and collaborate with theatre programs throughout the region, helping bring engaging and high-quality productions to life.
Valine Campbell
Artistic Team Member
Valine Campbell is a Corning, NY–based choreographer known for creating dynamic, performer-focused choreography that highlights each cast’s strengths. With credits spanning over 40 productions—including dance-driven musicals such as 42nd Street, Chicago, and Newsies—she specializes in staging movement that is both visually engaging and accessible. Valine’s work ensures performers feel confident on stage while delivering polished, high-energy ensemble performances.
Christopher Olsen
Music Director
Christopher Olsen is a highly versatile and accomplished Music Director, conductor, and pianist whose passion for musical theatre shines through in every production. Known for his collaborative spirit and meticulous attention to detail, Christopher has used his unique skill set to produce, direct, design, and build for several levels of musicals throughout New York and Ohio. A keen advocate for strong storytelling through music, Christopher excels at shaping vocal performances, refining orchestral arrangements, and fostering a cohesive musical vision among cast and musicians. His work is characterized by a deep respect for the composer's original intent while bringing a fresh, dynamic energy to each score. He has served as Producer and Director for the following productions: Anastasia (Corning Painted Post Middle School), Elf Jr., and Aladdin Jr. (both Hicksville Central School in Ohio). Christopher has served as Music and Pit Director for the following productions over the last 20 years: White Christmas (Corning Painted Post High School). Something Rotten Jr., Mean Girls Jr., James and the Giant Peach Jr., Into the Woods Jr., Matilda Jr., (all Corning Painted Post Middle School), as well as Little Shop of Horrors, All Shook Up, Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll and Hyde, Anything Goes, and the Sound of Music (from various High Schools in Ohio and New York State). Performance credits at both graduate and collegiate levels include: Figaro from Marriage of Figaro, Matthew from Anne of Green Gables, Baker from Into the Woods, and Papageno from the Magic Flute. Christopher holds a B. Mus. in Music Education and an M. Mus. in Choral Conducting from Houghton College. Beyond his stage work, he teaches at Corning Painted Post Middle School working with the Choirs as well as teaching classroom music. He resides in Presho, NY with his wife, Lauren Olsen, and his three awesome children Adelaide, Bellamy, and Caelum. He is thrilled to be joining the New Heights Dance Company Musical Theatre production of Descendants and wishes to thank his fellow directors, cast, and crew for a great run!
Lauren Olsen
Artistic Team Member
Lauren Olsen is thrilled to serve as Musical Director and to continue sharing her love of music and theatre with the community. Lauren enjoys working behind the scenes helping productions come to life. She has Directed or Assistant Directed The Music Man, Once Upon a Mattress, Elf Jr. and Anastasia. Lauren also acted as Stage Manager for Elf Jr. and Anastasia, and served as Musical Director for Big Fish. In addition to behind the scenes, Lauren enjoys performing on stage as well. Favorite stage roles include Maud Dunlop in The Music Man, Rizzo in Grease, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, and Sandra in Big Fish. Along with on-stage performing, she has also performed in the pit orchestra on French horn for productions of The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast. Beyond the stage, Lauren has spent over 30 years involved in church musicals, organizing variety shows, holiday concerts/programs, and Broadway revues. Lauren loves encouraging young performers and helping them discover their confidence and creativity through the arts. When she is not involved in theatre, Lauren works as a 1st & 2nd Grade teacher at a private school. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children, drinking coffee, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills. She is grateful for every opportunity to help bring stories and music to life on stage.