Founder/Artistic Director

Carla (She/Her) is the Founder and Artistic Director of Aya Sol. From Edmonton, Alberta, she provides high quality training and creative opportunities through artist collaborations, events, and as an instructor in Alberta and British Columbia. Carla has been facilitating international and local guest artist workshops for 15+ years, including artists such as Sho-Tyme, King Charles, Caleaf Sellers, Buddha Stretch, Chrybaby Cozie, Cebo, Prosenjit Kundu, Kelli Forman, Miki Ishizaka, Montuno and Jojo Zolina.

Her dance training started at the age of 3 with Shelley’s Dance Company and led to an intense world of dance competitions up until she was a young adult. 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. She has trained extensively in Hip Hop, House, Popping, Locking, Waacking, and Reggaeton with the distinct opportunity to learn from pioneers such as 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. She has been an integral part of introducing and building House dance in Edmonton and area. 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 the city to offer House Foundation training.

Carla performed in Washington DC, as part of the Art Of Living, in honour of 50 years of Hip Hop, 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 Thea Austin (Snap), and Simone Denny (Love Inc). 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 also collaborated and toured with local Artists, has worked on films, music videos, commercials, local media, and choreographed as well as appeared in local Television Series.

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

TRAINING

HOUSE - Caleaf Sellers, Marjory Smarth, Ejoe Wilson, Sekou Heru, Moncell Durden, Prosenjit Kundu, Storenzo Dom, Future, Brooklyn Terry, King Charles, Twan Twan

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

HIP HOP - Buddha Stretch, Loose Joint, Link, Shotyme, 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:

Dancer for Simone Denny (Love Inc), Dancer for Kelly - Edmonton Pride Festival 2024

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