Kaya Mayberry

Kaya Mayberry

Kaya was introduced to dance at the age of 10 through a Bring a Friend Day at Soul Connexion, where she quickly fell in love with dance. She spent the following years training in Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Pointe, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Dancenastics, and has recently explored Line Dancing and Country Swing. She spent six years on Soul Connexion’s Competitive Team, where she developed her love of performing, choreography, and connecting with others through dance.

Her passion for performing has led her to exciting opportunities beyond the studio, including performing for two summers as part of the cast of Calaway Live and performing at the Calgary Stampede as a solo dancer and assistant with Magician and the Muse.

Kaya’s love for teaching began while she was still a student at Soul Connexion, assisting with Tiny Toes classes. Since then, she has taught a wide range of ages and abilities, from infants through adults. Through the City of Calgary, she has taught Hip Hop, Ballet, Creative Dance, and parent-child programs, and through the University of Calgary’s Active Living program, she has taught adult beginner dance. She is passionate about creating welcoming, accessible, and inclusive dance environments, finding ways to adapt movement and instruction so that everyone can experience the joy of dance.

Having always dreamed of becoming a teacher, Kaya decided to combine her love of education and dance by pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Education at the University of Calgary. She hopes to continue sharing her passion for dance through education and inspire students the way her own teachers have inspired her.

Returning to Soul Connexion as a teacher feels like a full-circle moment for Kaya. After growing up at the studio as a dancer, she is incredibly grateful to now return as a teacher and give back to the community that played such an important role in her own journey. She is excited to continue growing alongside her Soul Fam and share her love of dance with the next generation.

Q & A with Kaya

What inspires you?

• Music inspires me and goes hand in hand with dance. I love the way music can make you feel, tell a story, and bring movement to life!

What song moves you?

• Gosh, having to pick just one is incredibly difficult, but I have to go with Growing Up by Macklemore!

  
  

What do you love about your job?

• I love sharing the joy of dance with my students and getting to watch them grow, especially in their confidence.

Describe Soul Connexion in one word

• Community