BLDF FACULTY

Bruce is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ballet and Theater. Over the past 27 years, Bruce has taught master dance classes from New York to Los Angeles for Dance Masters of America, Dance Caravan, The Professional Dance Teachers Association, Dance Educators of America, NADAA, National Cheerleading Association and Dance Troupe, INC. to name a few. Bruce's students have won numerous American, World and National Dance Championships. His dancers have performed with Janet Jackson on her World Tour, in music videos, on the American Music Awards and Grammy Awards shows, danced on Broadway, in Las Vegas and on Cruise Ships. Several of his students have been Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. More recently three of his dancers competed on the CBS television show Star Search. 

On Broadway, Bruce danced with Bernadette Peters in the musical "On the Town."  He then moved on to a featured role in the smash broadway hit "Irene," starring Miss Debbie Reynolds. Bruce and Miss Reynolds struck a close relationship (Debbie is Godmother to his oldest son, Brandin) and he became a featured dancer and her dance partner touring the world in her Las Vegas Night Club show. Bruce was also the Broadway dance partner of Carrie Fisher (of Star Wars fame and  Miss Reynolds' daughter.) Off Broadway, Bruce co-starred with Danny Devito in the Cole Porter musical "Du Barry Was A Lady." 

Bruce's television credits include The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, The Sonny and Cher show, The Dinah Shore Show, Liberace and Bob Hope TV Speacials, the TV series Dallas, The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Movie, and most recently has appeared on the VH-1 TV series Bands on the Run with his sons Brandin and Fletcher Lea of the band Flickerstick. 

Bruce was stage director and choreographer of the Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant telecasts for 10 years, and has coached 3 Miss Texas winners. 

In Summer Stock and Dinner Theatres (most notable Casa Manana, where Bruce began his professional career at age 18), he has choreographed, danced, and starred in such musicals as: "George M", "Guys and Dolls", "Oklahoma", "West Side Story", "Dames At Sea", "How to Succeed in Business", "Irene", "Hello Dolly", "Call Me Madam", "Where's Charley", "The Sound of Music", "The Music Man", "Sweet Charity", "Take Me Along", "South Pacific", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Gypsy", "Showboat", "Sunny", "Good News", "Brigadoon", "Paint Your Wagon", "The King and I", "Little Me", "Man of La Mancha", "Du Barry was A Lady", "Mame", "Bye Bye Birdie", "Fiddler on the Roof", "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and "A Chorus Line."

During his career, Bruce has had the privlege to work with Bernadette Peters, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., Barry Manilow, Jeanine Turner, Betty Buckley, Sonny and Cher, Debbie Reynolds, Ruta Lee, Martha Raye, Gwen Verdon, Danny DeVito, Jane Powell, Liberace, Johnny Carson, Gower Champion, Carrie Fisher, Rip Taylor, Dinah Shore, Ken Berry, Peter Gennaro, and the Charlie Daniels Band. 

In 1998 Bruce returned to the New York stage as choreographer for the 25th anniversary revival of the Broadways show "Irene." Bruce, along with 18 of his fellow original cast members, performed in this very special show benefiting Gilda's Club of New York.

Christi is Co-Director of the award winning Bruce Lea Dance Factory. She has been a professional performer and teacher for the past 30 years. Christi has performed with the Charlie Daniels Band in Concert, was a featured dancer at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas and is Co-Choreographer of the Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant. Christi, along with her husband Bruce, teaches at 10-12 dance conventions throughout the country every year. Bruce & Christi now enjoy bringing the love of dance to their students and pride themselves with the accomplishments of the many past and present students that join with them. 

Jessica "Jessi" McPherson grew up training at Bruce Lea Dance Factory began teaching dance at the age of 16. Jessi graduated with a BFA in dance performance from Chapman University in Orange, California. While attending Chapman, McPherson performed in the Musco Opening Gala, "American Celebration" fundraising events and dance department spring concerts. She also danced locally in Los Angeles in choreography showcases and musical productions such as "Singing in the Rain."  McPherson moved to New York in 2019 to further develop her craft and performed in commercial work. Currently, McPherson is the dance director and integration teacher for the Alma Martinez Intermediate Fine Arts Academy in Mansfield, TX. She is happy to back home at Bruce Lea Dance Factory as she continues to fulfill her passion for choreography and dance education.