Rees Launer, raised in Boise, ID, began his dance training with Ballet Idaho and Idaho Regional Ballet at age 12. He went on to dance with The Joffrey Ballet’s trainee program and subsequently with the Studio Company. He attended numerous summer intensives, including Netherlands Dance Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Arts Umbrella, Jacob's Pillow, and The Royal Danish Ballet, where he was awarded the Birger Bartholin Scholarship. Rees has been a guest artist for Peoria Ballet and Idaho Dance Theatre. He began his professional career with Charlotte Ballet in 2019. This is his first year with NCI.