Leslie Hendricks was born and raised in Marion and attended Marion Community Schools, graduating from Marion High School in 1989. During her youth she participated in dance, show choir and theater. She danced tap, jazz, and ballet for Jamie Bragg at La Danz' studio. She was a member of Spain Dance Tour '85 and competed in various places including Las Vegas and Chicago. Leslie also participated in Marion Civic Theater productions of Annie and Carousel. During high school, she was a three year member of 26th Street Singers under the direction of F. Ritchie Walton, where she competed in a national competition in Hollywood, CA. She also played the role of Chava in the school's production of Fiddler on the Roof. After high school, Leslie went to Ball State University where she was cast in A Chorus Line and performed at Dorney Amusement Park in Allentown, PA.

Mrs. Hendricks obtained her elementary education degree from Ball State in 1993 and her Master's in Elementary Education in 1998. She worked for Marion Community Schools for seven years before resigning to stay home with her children. She resides in Marion with her husband Steve, and two children, Austin, age 10, and Claire, age 7.

Leslie began her dance teaching career with the Community School of the Arts in the summer of 2004. As a dance instructor she has directed the I-dance productions each June. In addition to teaching beginning level tap and directing the dance shows, Leslie is the Instructor Chair for the school. She is responsible for helping set up classes at CSA and working with all the fabulous instructors teaching our students. If you are interested in working with this innovative team, Leslie is the one to contact. She is excited to be part of CSA and to have the opportunity to instill a love for the arts in the children of Grant County.