The Dream to Dance Foundation was created in 2015 by a member of Melrose Dance Academy's Senior Performance Team, Cali Lapenta. Cali was 16 years old and a junior at Saint Joseph Prep High School when she started the Foundation. She danced at Melrose Dance Academy for sixteen years and was captain of her team. With the help of her dance teacher, Amanda Bruno, Cali started this Foundation. She is currently an aerospace engineering student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute but continues her work with the Dream to Dance Foundation with the help of volunteers. In May of 2017, Cali was featured as Channel 7 News’ Class Act for her work with the Foundation
The Dream to Dance Foundation is dedicated to giving deserving children the amazing opportunity to take a year of dance classes, build confidence, and learn the basics of dance. The Foundation allows children to live out their dreams of dancing!
How We Do It
The Dream to Dance Foundation has an amazing team of volunteers that help facilitate fundraisers and organize events. Our team is dedicated to the success of the Foundation and acknowledges the importance of its mission.
Cali Lapenta Founder, Owner, and Director since 2015
Cali began dancing at the age of two at Melrose Dance Academy. While a student there, Cali was Captain of the Senior Performance Team and began the Foundation when she was a Junior at Saint Joseph Prep High School. Passionate about dance, Cali was an assistant teacher for many years. She also danced in many performances including Disney World, Celtics games, and in New York with the Rockettes. Cali graduated from high school in 2017 and is currently pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Megan Maggio Operations Coordinator since 2018
Megan began dancing at the age of two and has been on the Melrose Dance Academy Performance Team for seven years! She has taken Excel Master Classes, danced in Disney World twice, and danced at Boston Red Sox games. She is currently a sophomore at Melrose High School where she started her own dance club and is a cheerleader. Megan is also an active ambassador for Traveling TuTu’s. Megan acts as the Foundation's treasurer and secretary.
Magen Beaudet Operations Manager since 2018
Magen has been dancing since the age of two. For the past seven years, she has trained on the MDA Performance Teams and Advanced Team in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical, Acro, and Contemporary. She is also an assistant dance teacher for Melrose Dance Academy and is very passionate about dance education. She has danced at the Boston Celtics, Disney World, and with the Endicott Dance Team. Magen is in charge of the Foundation’s fundraising, community outreach, social media, and in charge of planning events.