Our Story
About Us
A multicultural performing arts company in Los Angeles, dedicated to holistic education and inclusion for all ages.
Our Purpose
The H.E.ART's Goal
Our goal is to broaden the reach and effectiveness of the traditional after-school or weekend center by providing courses to enhance self-development, allowing the youth to explore their artistic abilities.
We create a program environment that serves the community, nurturing youth education by investing in cultural capital and empowerment.
Our program, while directly aimed at developing performing arts skills, indirectly results in positive development of self-esteem, self-respect and self-discipline. Students are further inspired by their interaction with seasoned industry professionals.
Leadership
Our Founders
Eartha Robinson
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
A visionary leader dedicated to inspiring youth through the performing arts. Eartha's holistic approach combines dance, acting, and voice to build confidence and cultural pride.
Vernée Watson
Co-Founder & Acting Instructor
A legendary actress and acting coach bringing decades of industry experience.
Industry Experts, Passionate Mentors
Meet the Team
Our instructors are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in theater, film, television, and dance.
Tiana Taylor-Shaw
Dance Instructor
Tiana Simone Shaw studied Dance in the BFA program at Montclair State University while also studying at the Ailey School in NYC. She has worked with professional companies and choreographers including Robert Battle, artistic director of The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Donald McKayle and Lula Washington, choreographer of the Oscar-winning film Avatar. Over the years, she has been a featured dancer for R&B artists like Jill Scott and Sean Kingston. Tiana's choreography has graced the stages of Montclair State University, Kasser Theater and has been featured at the annual International Black Dance Conference in Toronto, Canada. Tiana began teaching at age 14 and by her junior year at Montclair State, was teaching dance minor classes. As a teacher, her dream is for her students to develop a respect and passion for the art of dance — instilling everything she's been taught, piece by piece, to her dancers. While showing professionalism and love, she encourages them to go for their dreams and believe they can achieve anything and everything they set their minds to.
Elija "Eli" Hall
Dance & Acting Instructor
Elija Hall is a dancer, actor, and instructor with extensive training in dance and acting. Throughout their career, they have performed in multiple showcases, gaining experience both on stage and in collaborative productions. In addition to performing, they have spent the last five years teaching and mentoring students, sharing their passion for the arts while helping dancers and performers grow in confidence, technique, and creativity.
AuDrya Clayton
Dance Instructor
AuDrya Kelly is a multi-talented singer, dancer, actress, and choreographer born and raised in Los Angeles. At 25 years old, she is an alumna of the prestigious Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA), where she trained extensively in multiple styles, refining her artistry and performance skills.Throughout her career, AuDrya has completed four world tours, captivating audiences alongside global superstars such as The Jonas Brothers, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, and The Weeknd across North America and Europe. Her dynamic performances have also been featured on major award show stages, including the Billboard Music Awards and the BET Awards.Currently, AuDrya serves as both choreographer and dancer for the animated series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, bringing her creative vision and movement expertise to the beloved show. She has also choreographed for legendary icons Chaka Khan and Diana Ross, further solidifying her reputation as a visionary creative. Her work extends into music videos, where she has collaborated with renowned artists including Mariah Carey, Karol G, Meghan Trainor, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Teyana Taylor.AuDrya’s journey in entertainment began at just three years old with the film Coach Carter. She later expanded into musicals, stage plays, theatre competitions, and television appearances on networks such as Nickelodeon and Disney, showcasing her versatility across performance mediums.With a deep dedication to her craft and a vibrant presence both onstage and behind the scenes, AuDrya Kelly continues to elevate the worlds of dance, music, and storytelling.
Governance
Board of Directors
Dedicated leaders guiding The H.E.ART's mission with expertise, passion, and commitment to our community.
Dr. Leah Bass-Baylis
Board Member
Dr. Leah Bass-Baylis has been a strong proponent of the arts throughout her educational career. She served in educational administration at pre-school through high school in LAUSD and is currently a University Student Teaching Supervisor at California State University, Northridge. She was the first to hold the position of Dance Specialist for LAUSD and directly supervised dance instruction in 180 elementary schools. Prior to her career in education, she enjoyed a career as a dancer/singer/actress and choreographer, completing national and international tours of numerous musicals. She holds a B.A. from Spelman College, an M.A. from Columbia University, an M.S. from Pepperdine University, and an Ed.D from USC's Rossier School of Education.
Taeler Hammond
Board Member
Taeler Hammond is an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, speaker, and consultant dedicated to transforming workplace cultures through diversity, equity, inclusion, and change management. As the founder and CEO of Nouveau Paige Consulting, LLC, she brings a visionary approach to leadership development and organizational transformation. Certified in Mental Health First Aid, Diversity & Inclusion, and Change Management, she equips leaders with the tools to drive sustainable cultural shifts.
Tanynya Hekymara
Board Member
Tanynya Hekymara is a community organizer dedicated to Restorative Justice and creating cultures of access and belonging. Her abiding passion is to bring about transformational change in educational, professional, and community spaces, to include all voices, and to inspire communities to seek connection and justice. She synthesizes and creates strategies to sustain the momentum toward cultures of belonging through leadership and Restorative Justice coaching, training, and facilitation.
Dr. Dontá Morrison
Board Member
Dr. Dontá Morrison is a writer, producer, director, community educator, and thought leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing the wellness of marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. Currently serving as Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the UCLA CARE Center, he leads inclusive health strategies that bridge HIV research and community engagement, build trust, and empower underserved populations through culturally responsive education.
Vernée Watson
Co-Founder & Board Member
Vernée Watson is a professional actress with a career spanning over 57 years with hundreds of film and television credits and two Emmy awards. She has taught acting to young people through coaching, directing, and creating plays, and is a published author of two books on commercial acting. She continues her passion for teaching as co-founder and acting instructor of The H.E.ART.
"If you want to become a singer, you need to know how to move; If you want to be a dancer, you need to know how to act…"
— Eartha Robinson