Founder/Artistic Director

Carla (She/Her) is the Founder and Artistic Director of Aya Sol. From Edmonton, Alberta, Carla has been very active in supporting the dance community by providing high quality training and opportunities through artist collaborations, local dance events, and as an instructor in Alberta and British Columbia for 18 years. Carla has been hosting international and local guest artist workshops for the last 15 years, including artists such as Sho-Tyme, Prosenjit Kundu, Jojo Zolina, King Charles, Kelli Forman, Miki Ishizaka, Montuno, Buddha Stretch, Chrybaby Cozie, and Cebo.

Her dance training started at the age of 3 with Shelley’s Dance Company and led into the world of dance competitions for the next 14 years. She has studied Tap, Modern Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Highland dance, Musical Theatre, Flamenco, Belly Dance, Latin Styles, Heels and has a Diploma in Modern Dance. Carla has trained extensively in Hip Hop, House, Popping, Locking, Waacking, and Reggaeton and regularly travels to further her education in these styles. In the last 18 years she has had the opportunity to learn from First Generation Pioneers, including members of The Electric Boogaloos, Mop Top Crew, Elite Force Crew, Dance Fusion Crew and Creation Global. Since 2020, she has been training in Chicago Footwork and is now a member of Creation Global, a world wide crew of footworkers, led by King Charles.

HOUSE dance is one of the styles Carla is most passionate about and she has been an integral part of House dance in the city. With just a handful of dedicated House dance enthusiasts in the city 23+ years ago, she is one of the first of a few teachers in Edmonton to offer House Foundation training.

Carla recently performed in Washington DC, as part of the Art Of Living, in honour of 50 years of Hip Hop. She performed along side legendary pioneers of the culture; Kurtis Blow, MC Sharock, DJ Kool, Davey DMX, Sequence Sisters, Charlie Rock, Davey DMX, and DJ Hollywood to mention a few. She has performed with the Iconic voices of Snap and Love Inc; Thea Austin and Simone Denny. She has opened for Fefe Dobson, Brray, Kelly, Dragonette, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race headliners; Brooke Lynn Hytes, Michelle Visage, and Cameron Michaels.

Carla has choreographed, performed and toured with local Artists, has worked on films, music videos, commercials, local media, and choreographed as well as appeared in local Television Series, “Caution May Contain Nuts”.

Dance and creative expression has been a huge blessing in Carla’s life and she is very passionate about sharing this love and the knowledge with others.

TRAINING

HOUSE - Caleaf Sellers, Marjory Smarth, Ejoe Wilson, Kim D. Holmes, Shan S, Tony McGregor, Sekou Heru, Moncell Durden, Prosenjit Kundu, Storenzo Dom, Future, Brooklyn Terry, King Charles, Twan Twan

CHICAGO FOOTWORK - King Charles, Pause Eddie, Boodilla, Prince Jron, Lil Bit, Kelli Forman, Miki Ishizaka, Marlon Chambers

HIP HOP - Buddha Stretch, Loose Joint, Link, Shotyme, Kwikstep, Prosenjit Kundu, Chrybaby Cozie (Harlem Lite Feet)

FUNKSTYLES (Popping, locking) - Greg Campbellock Jr., Popin Pete, Suga Pop, Mr.Wiggles

WAACKING/VOGUEING - Tyrone Proctor, Danielle Polanco, Nubian Nene, Tony Tran, Jojo Zolina, Fly Lady Di

HUSTLE - Willie Estrada

HEELS - Brinn Nicole (Pumpfidance), Yanis Marshall, Kelli Forman

FLAMENCO - Conchita De Pechtel, Angel Munoz, Oscar Nieto, Ramon Martinez, Alicia Marquez

LATIN STYLES - Maxwell Aguilar, Desert Rose Dance, Salsabor a Cuba, Baza Studios, Patrick and Scarlett, LFS Dance, Montuno Dance Company

TAP, MODERN JAZZ, BALLET, MUSICAL THEATRE, LYRICAL, BATON, HIGHLAND - Shelley’s Dance Company

VOICE - Sherrill DeMarco, Sherri Sommerville, Elizabeth Raycroft

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

World Cultural Festival (50 Years of Hop Hop) - Washington DC 2023

Dancer for Thea Austin (Snap) - Edmonton Pride Fest 2023

Dancer for Simone Denny (Love Inc) – Edmonton Pride Fest 2023

Fefe Dobson - Opening Act (Edmonton Pride 2022)

Rupauls’s Drag Race Tour - Opening Act/Dancer (2019-2020)

Edmonton Pride Events – Dancer (2019-2020)

Khaled Rahime – Dancer/choreographer (2018-present)

Rewind Party Event – Dancer (Calgary 2014)

Oil Kings - Flash Mob Dancer

Worlds 2001 Championships in Athletics - Dancer