After graduating, Aivars Leimanis became a soloist in the Ballet Company of the Latvian National Opera.
He has danced the leading roles in such ballets as the "Nutcracker", "Giselle" "Don Quixote", and "The Sleeping Beauty".
From 1989-1993, he danced in the Star Group of Vladimir Vasilyev and Yekaterina Maksimova.
In 1993, he retired from dancing and became the Artistic Director of the Latvian National Opera Ballet Company.
[2] He has choreographed and staged the following ballets: Le Corsaire (Adam), Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Francesca da Rimini, Sleeping Beauty (Tchaikovsky), The Life (Dvorak's Symphony No.9), Coppelia (Delibes), Atlantis (Janis Ivanovs), Concerto Grosso (Arturs Maskats), as well as ballet miniatures (Award of the Best Choreographer in Budapest '98); dances for Verdi's opera Aida and Zigmars Liepins' opera Rose and Blood; has represented Latvian art in more than 40 countries including the USA, France, China, Great Britain.