Layla Mandigo is currently a junior student at the University of Iowa, and is from Atlanta, Ga. She spent majority of her training at the International City School of Ballet and Ballet Institute of Atlanta. Upon her sophomore year in high school, she moved to San Francisco to finish her training at the San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Patrick Armand. 

Layla has competed at a variety of ballet competitions. A few of her recognitions include the Rising Star Award at the Universal Ballet Competition, 2nd place for both ballet and contemporary at the Youth America Grand Prix, along with scholarships to train at many professional ballet schools. Now as an assistant she hopes to give the next generation of dancers the space to excel and perfect their craft.