Tabata Vara founder of Totema Dance Company, based in Washington, DC. She began dancing at the age of 18, training in various dance forms. In 2022, Tabata earned a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Towson University, where she received the Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Award.

Her works have been showcased both locally and internationally, including appearances at DC Summer Dance Showcase 2023, S.H.E/MOVES 2024 and Nachmo DC 2021. Notably, her piece Immolatio was featured at the Attune Dance Festival in Kyoto, Japan 2023, where she also conducted a creative movement workshop for children. In 2024, Tabata was a commissioned choreographer and performer for The Latinx Movement Festival in DC.

Inspired by her academic research and personal experiences, Tabata established Totema Dance Company in 2022. Through this platform, she continues to explore new avenues of artistic expression, aiming to evoke raw emotions and challenge conventional boundaries. Her artistic passion lies in creating immersive environments and narratives that transcend boundaries and explore diverse perspectives. Her works explore the darker aspects of human existence, often incorporating a macabre element.