N elia Lawton came to Rhode Island at the age
of nine and started her performing career
shortly after that. Originally from the Azores,
she discovered as a child her love for the stage,
dancing in tap jazz and ballet school recitals
beginning in 1975.

Nelia shifted over to Ballroom dancing in 1985
teaching at a popular school in Pawtucket,
Rhode Island and settled in the scenic town of
Barrington, Rhode Island where she teaches
ballroom tap jazz and ballet.
She has recently expanded to downtown
Providence where she founded The
Providence Theatrical Ballroom & Jazz Project,
Rhode Islands first Production Company to
include ballroom dancing, a not for profit
dance co. which also includes dance classes
for instruction from beginner to Professional.
Nelia has studied under notable masters such
as Latin champions Tony Meredith and
Melanie LaPatin
and Ballroom champions Eddy Simon,. adding
to her Ballroom her studies in Jazz and tap
with artistic director and choreographer of
the Jump Rhythm and Jazz Project from
Chicago, Billy Siegenfeld and his partner ,
assisting director Jeanie Hill in New York,
has created a special relationship with her
dancing and the music.
Nelia also studies Ballet, her favorite coach in
Ballet is Carol Roux in New York, her studies
continue at the Broadway Dance Center in New
York City , her classes there include Theater
and Choreography also Hip Hop and Funk for a
great workout!, she says.

Her mission is to promote the exquisite style of
Ballroom & Latin dancing to the Providence,
Rhode Island community and promote
Providence to the ballroom dance communities
outside of Rhode Island.

Her personal mission is also to help employ
professional ballroom dancers on the
stage with her new Production Company.
She uses her events in order to accomplish
this!

"It is a shame to have to leave Rhode Island in
order to get work on the stage,
I am in hopes that our community will
appreciate this great team of entertainers
and support them in all the ways they can.
The best way to do this is TO COME AND
SEE OUR SHOWS!" say's NELIA