Our Story

This is us — a mother and daughter with a shared love for dance, people, and the energy that brings our community together. We move with purpose, passion, and a whole lot of heart. Our studio is more than a place to dance — it’s where culture, creativity, and connection come alive. We welcome every style, every story, and every child who walks through our doors, because around here, everybody’s got a rhythm worth celebrating.

Leta Tavares

CEO/Founder

Leta Yolanda Tavares is a professional dancer, educator, and arts leader with over four decades of experience in dance education, performance, and community engagement. She began her dance training at the age of five under Mildred and Paul Kennedy and continued her studies in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, pointe, and African dance with Andrea Herbert Major and at the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts.

At age seventeen, Leta pursued a professional career as a dancer, actress, and model, performing with the Danny Sloan Dance Company and the Jeanette Neill Dance Company. She furthered her training through advanced study and scholarships at Harvard University, Boston University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School in New York City, and other institutions.

Leta earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Massachusetts, followed by a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts from Emerson College. In 1985, she founded Uptown Dance Center, a community-based dance studio that has served children and families for over 41 years. Under her leadership, the studio has provided high-quality instruction in ballet, tap, hip-hop, acrobatics, and cultural dance while prioritizing accessibility, discipline, and personal growth.

Her professional performance credits include national and international work with L’Oréal and SoftSheen, as well as appearances in print campaigns, commercials, films, and television. Leta has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) since 1983 and has taught at numerous local dance studios and served as a substitute educator with Boston Public Schools for more than 30 years.

She holds certifications in group fitness, dance, and cheer through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America, the Youth Cheer and Dance Alliance, and the International Acrobatics Arts Association. Leta’s work is grounded in her lifelong commitment to arts education, youth development, and strengthening communities through the performing arts.

Aura Tavares

Artistic Director

Aura Pavlova Tavares is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist committed to advancing high-quality, accessible dance education for youth. Born into a family rooted in the performing arts, Aura began formal dance training in early childhood and has progressed through every stage of arts leadership—from student and teaching assistant to lead instructor and choreographer.

Her training includes studies at Boston Ballet, Tony Williams’ School of Dance, and Ellis Gymnastics, providing a strong technical foundation across classical and contemporary disciplines. Aura was accepted to Boston Arts Academy as a dance major, where she trained under distinguished artists including Cosmin Marculetiu, former principal dancer and ballet master of the Romanian National Ballet; Thai Jiminez of Dance Theatre of Harlem; Pedro Ruiz of Ballet Hispanico; and Robert Battle, Nathan Trice, and Ronald K. Brown of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She further expanded her professional development through intensive programs with The Gold School, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, and the Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts.

As a performer, Aura appeared as a lead dancer for three consecutive years in The Urban Nutcracker. As a choreographer, she created the winning talent routine for Miss Black Massachusetts, earning a first-place title. Aura currently serves as a teaching artist at Uptown Dance Center, where she mentors young dancers and develops rigorous, inspiring choreography. Under her instruction, several students were cast in Debbie Allen’s production Brothers of the Knight, and she has choreographed multiple award-winning competition works at Needham Dance Theatre.

Aura’s work reflects a deep commitment to artistic excellence, youth development, and community impact through the arts.