On a Tuesday evening, the steady beat of heels against wood echoes through a South Tucson dance studio as students run through the same sequence again and again. In the mirror, their movements grow sharper with each pass. 

That impact is visible both on and off the dance floor. Students arrive from different backgrounds and age groups, but inside the studio they move as one. Over time, that process teaches more than choreography, helping dancers develop resilience and a willingness to keep improving.

Instructors guide students through more than just technique, encouraging them to develop confidence and discipline. Over time, those lessons extend beyond the studio, shaping how dancers carry themselves in school, at home and within their community. 

At Viva Performing Arts Center, repetition is part of the process and part of something larger. Here, music and movement bring generations together. For more than 35 years, the studio has served as a space where young dancers not only learn choreography, but build confidence and discipline.

Confidence and culture

On this night, the class is learning Mexican folklórico. But the studio also offers dancers a range of styles, including hip-hop, ballet, tap, jazz and pom.

“I’ve seen my daughter grow in confidence since joining Viva,” said Veronica Urcadez, whose 11-year-old daughter Vanessa is taking hip hop classes.

That sense of purpose is something instructors like Carmen Membrila, 23, know firsthand.

“I’ve been dancing for 19 years now,” she said. “My mom was a dancer growing up, but folklórico was never something she got to do. So when my brother and I were little, she signed us up, and I’ve been dancing ever since.”

Membrila learned to dance at Viva. After graduating from college at Northern Arizona University in 2024, she returned home to Tucson and was offered a chance to teach at her old studio.

“When I was little, I always looked up to my instructors,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘When I grow up, I want to teach at Viva too.’ So when I got that opportunity, it really felt like a full-circle moment.”

Today, Membrila teaches folklórico, hip-hop and ballet, passing on not only technique but perspective. She encourages her students to recognize the influence they have on others, just as older dancers once influenced her.

“You’re always being looked up to by somebody,” she said. “So give your best. And with culture, people forget how important the arts are. Folklórico is such a big part of Mexican culture, it’s important to embrace that.”

When instructor Alyssa Chavez, 27, first walked into Viva as an 11-year-old student, she said she didn’t have a strong connection to her Latina culture and community.

“I was only interested in hip-hop at first,” she said. “But my mom encouraged me to join folklórico too.”

Sixteen years later, she teaches five classes, three of which are folklórico, with students ranging from 5-10 years olds. She also teaches middle and high school hip hop.

“My favorite part of being an instructor is seeing my students build confidence, improve their skills and follow their passions,” she said. “Some of my first students are now 16 or 17. Growing with them has been really special.”

But the impact of the studio goes far beyond technique or performance, she said.

“I hope they make unforgettable memories and friendships that last forever,” she said. “I want every student to feel proud of themselves and know how important they are to Viva’s community.”

Urcadez said she has felt that welcoming environment, where children can grow not only as dancers but individuals.

“It’s given (Vanessa) a space to build confidence and express herself,” she said. “I’ve really seen her grow since joining.”

A strong leader

Many credit Studio Director Julie Gallegos for helping shape the studio into a cornerstone of the community.

“She’s brought people together for so many years. The way she shares her passion and builds community, it’s beautiful,” Membrila said. “She’s the reason Viva is a Tucson gem.”

She said Gallegos has dedicated her career to mentoring young dancers, many of whom return years later as instructors, continuing the cycle she helped create. 

Music fills the studio once more and a new group of dancers take their place in front of the mirror, stepping into rhythms that have been passed down for generations. 

The cycle repeats itself night after night, as beginners become experienced dancers and, for some, leaders in the studio.

Each class builds on the last, shaping stronger dancers and a stronger community.

For more information about Viva Performing Arts Center’s class offerings and performances, visit the studio’s website.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.