Laura Wade grew up in Toledo, Ohio, where she began her training as an original member ot the Toledo Ballet Company with Belta Cernonok and Marie Vogt. Other major influences in her training include Larry Long, Warren Conover, and Kerry Hubata. Following her regional training, she received her BA in dance from Indiana University. Since then, she has served as the ballet mistress for River North Chicago Dance Company and taught for numerous studios and schools, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ruth Page Foundation, Evanston School of Ballet, Barat College, Stephens College (MO), Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison, and Essex Dance Theatre (Englund). As a performer, Laura has long held the part of the Arabian soloist with the Ruth Page production of The Nutcracker, in addition to solo work with Ballet Chicago. She has also danced with and for Ballet Theatre of Chicago, David Dorfman, Scott Putman, Moose Project, Ballet Espanol of Louisville, and Robin Lakes Rough Dance. In addition to her extensive teaching and performing experience, Laura served as the Artistic Director of AKASHA Dance Company for nine years. As the artistic director, she led the company on tours throughout the midwest, England, and Scotland's Edinburgh Festival, performing commissioned works by Austin Hartel (Pilobolus), Martin Kranitz (Batsheva), Claire Batailli (Hubbard Street), Ginger Farley (Hubbard Street), and Nora Reynolds (Lubovitch).