Bayleigh Bates

Bayleigh Alexandra Bates has been dancing since the age of three, when she first fell in love with ballet. Throughout childhood she trained at numerous studios while moving frequently. After settling in Oklahoma as a teenager, she continued her formal ballet education at The Dance and Performing Arts Academy under Matthew and Sandra Bridwell, also with Tulsa Ballet, and entered the world of competitive dance through Soul II Sole Performing Arts.

Bayleigh majored in Theatre Arts in college. It was during this time that she was introduced to aerial arts. What began as a new challenge quickly became a lifelong passion, expanding her artistic voice beyond the stage and into the air.

Today, she serves as the Director of the Aerial Arts Program and the Ballet Program at Soul II Sole Performing Arts, where she also choreographs competitive works in the lyrical, ballet, and contemporary genres. She is also the Aerial Director, a choreographer, performer, and instructor for Oklahoma Movement, where she continues to develop original works that blend dance, aerial arts, and theatrical storytelling. In addition, she is an aerial instructor at Zeta Aerial Arts & Fitness and performs professionally with Inspyral Circus.

From 2024–2026, she served as both a performer and Stage Manager with Kin Dance Company, helping bring contemporary productions to life both onstage and behind the scenes.

Bayleigh creates because when the world around her feels the heaviest, the only control she has ever truly found is through movement. For her, movement is the ultimate release. That belief continues to shape her work as both an educator and artist. She strives to create work that is technically strong, emotionally honest, and rooted in meaningful human connection.

Her upcoming projects include choreographing and directing the aerial acrobatics for Oklahoma Movement’s 2026 production of “Universal Theory”.  As well as serving as the choreographer for the 50th Anniversary production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, produced by American Theatre Company.

Some of her favorite performance credits include:

“Here Come the Mummies” — Osage Casino (2023)

“Disorder” — Oklahoma Movement & RACE (2024)

“Afterglow” — Kin Dance Company (2025)

“Tethered” — Oklahoma Movement (2025)

“Illuminate” — Tulsa People’s Orchestra (2026)

“The Traveler’s Atlas” — Inspyral Circus (2026)

“Super Suite 2”— Oklahoma Movement (2026)

Beyond the stage, Bayleigh is a full-time single mother to two incredible boys, Levi and Laken. She is endlessly grateful for the support system that continues to encourage her family and make it possible for her to pursue the work she loves.

She is humbled and endlessly grateful to collaborate with so many remarkable artists throughout Oklahoma. Whether in the studio, suspended in the air, or collaborating behind the scenes, Bayleigh remains dedicated to creating meaningful experiences through movement and is honored to play a role in the continued growth of Oklahoma’s performing arts community.