ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: 

M’Kayla’s artistic journey began at the age of three after she took her first ballet class and never looked back. She began training competitively at Drewitz Dance Productions from the age of 5 to 17 in various genres of dance including tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical and many more. She also had the opportunity to train at Hattori Williamson School of Ballet focusing on ballet and contemporary dance from 2016 to 2018. M’Kayla has had the opportunity to perform and compete across the world at various dance competitions, conventions and intensives, including places like Germany, New York City, Seattle and Las Vegas. Throughout her years of competitive dance, she has been awarded several titles and high-scoring overall awards such as Miss Junior Candance. M’Kayla was also a part of the 2019 Team Canada National Tap team that competed in Reisa, Germany. Along with dance, M’Kayla’s other passions include singing and photography. She began singing at the age of eight and competing not too long after. She performed in several musicals, including playing Anastasia (an ugly stepsister) in 42nd Street Production of Cinderella.  

M’Kayla is currently studying at the University of Calgary, working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Throughout her post-secondary journey, she has had various performance opportunities, including in Calgary-based artist Michele Moss’ 2021 show “Why Dance”, where she performed as both a soloist (tap) as well as being part of group pieces (contemporary and jazz) that centered around the idea of identity.  

As a first-generation Canadian with first-generation immigrant parents that were born in Suriname, South America, M’Kayla often utilizes her technical training by incorporating aspects of her everyday life as a Black woman in North America to express herself through movement. This connection provides her the opportunity to volunteer in different dance studios in Suriname through the YEEPI Foundation. She is a young choreographer that works in the stylings of Contemporary and Jazz, with a specialty in Tap.  

Currently, she is teaching at Elite Dance Academy in Calgary, Alberta, where she choreographs for all ages, both recreationally and competitively. She also offers private sessions for various individuals seeking growth in their dance technique. Teaching is something that M’Kayla has always had passion for, and she hopes to spread her knowledge as well as to continue to learn and grow from others throughout her artistic journey. 

Instagram: @mkayllla