Alumni Spotlight: Lindsay DiGiuseppe Salih
Dance alum Lindsay DiGiuseppe Salih (B.F.A. ’00) transformed her Meadows training into a dynamic career as a performer, educator and founder of Contemporary Ballet Dallas.
Lindsay DiGiuseppe Salih (B.F.A. ’00) is this week’s featured alum in our new Alumni Spotlight series for the This Week at Meadows e-newsletter. Each week, a different Meadows alum will be highlighted for their accomplishments post-graduation.
A passion for performance and a commitment to building community have defined Lindsay DiGiuseppe Salih’s career in dance. A graduate of the Division of Dance, Salih is now the owner and director of Contemporary Ballet Dallas, where she has spent more than two decades shaping dancers of all ages while cultivating one of the most expansive dance programs in the region.
She credits her time at Meadows with giving her both the technical foundation and the creative confidence to pursue a multifaceted career in performance, choreography and arts leadership. Exposure to the industry broadened her understanding of what a career in dance could look like, while the program’s emphasis on versatility prepared her to move fluidly between styles and roles.
“Meadows provided me with a professional quality dance education in a variety of techniques including ballet, pointe, jazz, and modern, as well as an opportunity to work with guest artists, instructors, and professionals in the dance world,” Salih explains of her comprehensive experience in the dance program. “I always knew that I wanted to perform professionally after college, but I did not know my path.”
Although she initially planned to move to New York City after graduation, life events led her to remain in Dallas, where she auditioned for the former non-profit company Contemporary Ballet Dallas in 2001. The company’s innovative approach and stylistic range aligned perfectly with her interests, allowing her to perform, choreograph, and take on leadership responsibilities, including assisting with rehearsals and production. Over more than a decade with the organization, she developed not only as an artist but also as a creative leader.
In 2005, just five years after graduating from SMU, Salih founded the Contemporary Ballet Dallas school with a vision of creating a high-caliber training environment that supports dancers both technically and personally. What began as a small studio has grown into a thriving institution now in its 21st season, offering programs for preschool students through professionals. Under her leadership, the school has built the largest adult dance program in the Dallas metroplex and continues to expand opportunities for dancers at every stage.
“If you had told me 25 years ago when I was in college that I would own and run my own dance school in Dallas one day, I would have thought you were crazy!” she says, reflecting on the years of hard work and dedication she has poured into her career.
Salih’s impact extends beyond the studio. Her students have gone on to attend prestigious programs such as Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Point Park University, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and SMU, as well as pursue careers in ballet, modern dance, musical theater and commercial performance. Through youth companies, pre-professional training and community programming, she has created a space that not only develops strong dancers but also fosters collaboration and artistic growth across the Dallas dance community.
Her connection to Meadows remains strong through her involvement as a mentor, where she supports current students with guidance, networking opportunities and insight into the professional dance world. For Salih, giving back is a natural extension of the mentorship and encouragement she received during her own time as a student.
“The dance world is small—remember that in moving forward in all of your collaborations, shows, performances and jobs. Keep your options open, be kind, be professional, and believe in your self-worth. You will hear ‘no’ many times, but sometimes it just means ‘not right now.’"
Through her work as an educator, entrepreneur and mentor, Salih continues to shape the next generation of dancers while demonstrating how a Meadows education can lead to a dynamic and evolving career in the arts.