Tamara Leiva was born in Santiago, Chile. At the age of three, her family immigrated to Canada in hopes of beginning a new life full of opportunity and most importantly education. At a young age Tamara Leiva showed potential of becoming a performed. Her enthusiastic, outgoing and friendly personality attracted many to her and she loved the attention. Her parents began to notice her interest in performing and enrolled her into YMCA recreational dance classes; Jazz and Hip-Hop. After one year, Tamara excelled and was recommended to a dance studio, The Art of Dance in Barrie, ON. Tamara was enrolled at the age of 8 and over ten years, she trained in: Jazz, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Ballet, and Tap. Having fallen in love with dance, Tamara wanted to continue her dance training and applied and was accepted to the Bachelor of Arts, Dance program at York University.
Tamara Leiva is a recent graduate of York University’s Dance program where she trained in contemporary, classical, cultural and urban dance styles. In addition, Tamara was involved in the developing of the York Hip Hop Club. There she became the Vice President and competed at events around the GTA including: Ontario Universities Competition of Hip Hop, Bring Your Own Beat, and Canadian Varsity Dance Challenge. Under the artistic direction of Lineen Doung, Tamara joined Dark Dance Company. The hip hop company performed all around the GTA at events like: Choreographers Ball, Bring Your Own Beat, and Lab Cab Festival. Tamara even had the opportunity to appear on New Music Live with Kathryn McCormick and Ryan Guzman for the promotion of Step Up 5. Tamara has had the chance to work with many well-known choreographers around the GTA including: Shavar Blackwood, Pyro-Chung, Raoul Wilke, and many more!
Having the opportunity to explore the history, studies, production and writing of dance Tamara became heavily interested in the education of dance. Tamara presently is a teacher candidate at York University’s, Bachelor of Education program. Having Dance and Geography as her teachable, Tamara hopes to one day teach in a high school and inspire students to continue their education. Presently, Tamara Leiva is working alone side York alumni Shabina Bharat at St. Elizabeth Catholic high school teaching the R.A.P Dance program; grade 9 and 11, and grade 10 civics class. Tamara hopes to one day teach at a dance art’s high school.
