Viana Staton Leland

Viana Leland, 14, lost her battle with depression on November 26th, 2018. She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 2004.

Viana began studying classical ballet at the age of two at Hayden School of Ballet, and danced for many years with Dance Theatre Southwest under director Patricia Dickinson Wells. She performed numerous roles in The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dracula: A Love Story, The Firebird, and many others with Festival Ballet Company of Albuquerque.

In addition, Viana was a very talented writer and artist. She played the violin, the ukulele, and was learning piano at the time of her passing.

Viana is survived by her father, Darrell Staton Leland; her mother, Lauranna Shields Leland; and her brother, Jaron Traber Leland.

A viewing will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018  from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas with a Memorial Service following at 4:00 p.m.

There will be an additional service at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1500 Chelwood Park Blvd., NE, on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m..

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Viana Leland Memorial Pointe Shoe Fund through Festival Ballet Company at www.festivalballetabq.org. Your donation is tax deductible.