At first glance Michael Leslie looks like a footballer with the tough, muscular physique and surefooted athleticism of a star rover.

In fact Michael is a seasoned dancer, performer, choreographer and theatrical creative director of more than 30 years standing whose extensive, five-page CV chronicles his work in places as diverse as New York, London’s West End and Soweto in South Africa.

Michael Leslie

But right now Michael’s aim in life is to foster the natural creativity and imagination of children in the Pilbara. It’s a subject he talks about passionately.

“I teach much more than just dance and movement,” he enthuses. “My dance workshops are about life. Together the kids and I are creating new and exciting performances and though I may write the music, I get them to create and choreograph as much of their own performance as possible.”

“That way I give them ownership, which means the students learn about structure and discipline; they begin to understand the importance of time keeping and deadlines and to discover how to be an individual while working as part of a team.”

“The most obvious element in my workshops,” Michael continues, “is how quickly the students learn self-confidence. Creativity always expands self-esteem.”

Michael Leslie teaches dance steps

Michael often starts with children as young as five or six. “Some of the kids I come across,” he says, “have the talent and potential to go all the way and to be internationally recognised. But it’s very satisfying to be working with kids of all abilities and to see them grow and expand; to watch their creativity be inspired.”

The fact that Michael’s experience is being used to the benefit of Pilbara children is down to the vision of two men, Pilbara Iron’s Bill Hart and Mark Simpson.

When Michael first applied for a job with Pilbara Iron it was as a truck driver. But when Bill and Mark saw his CV they immediately agreed that Michael could make a far greater contribution to the community by using his undoubted talent and creativity to induce self-esteem and teach self-confidence to children in the Pilbara.

Or, as Michael puts it, “to teach kids the most important lesson — that they can’t hide when they perform.”