Carla Benavides is the Founder and Artistic Director of Aya Sol in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She has been an instructor and choreographer in Alberta and British Columbia for 17 years. Carla has been very active in the dance community providing high quality training opportunities, hosting international guest artists, collaborating and curating local dance events. 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, various Latin Styles, Heels and she has a Diploma in Modern Dance. For the last 16 years, Carla’s focus has been learning the history and foundations of many of the Street and Club Styles: Hip Hop, House, Popping, Locking, Waacking, Reggaeton and has been focused in training in Chicago Footwork since 2020. She has travelled Canada, United States, Spain and Cuba performing and furthering her education in these Styles. 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. She has been a movement coach, has choreographed/performed with local Artists and has had many notable creative opportunities. Carla has opened for Fefe Dobson, Brray, various Pure Pride events and several Ru Paul’s Drag Race headliners, such as Brooke Lynn Hytes, Michelle Visage, and Cameron Michaels. Carla has also worked on films, music videos, appeared in commercials and local media, has choreographed and been an actor on a 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 for it with others.

TRAINING:

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

CHICAGO FOOTWORK - King Charles, Pause Eddie, Boodilla, Prince Jron, Lil Bit, Kelli Forman, Miki Ishizaka, Ant and Tal

HIP HOP - Buddha Stretch, Loose Joint, Link, Shotyme, Kwikstep, Prosenjit Kundu

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

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

VOICE - Sheryl Demarco, Sherri Sommerville

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

FEFE DOBSON (Edmonton Pride 2022) - Opening Act
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE TOUR (2019-2020) Opening Act/Dancer
EDMONTON PRIDE EVENTS (2019-2020) - Dancer
KHALED RAHIME (2018-present) - Dancer
REWIND PARTY (Calgary 2014) - Dancer
CAUTION MAY CONTAIN NUTS - Actress, Dancer, Extra
OIL KINGS - Flash Mob Dancer
WORLDS 2001 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ATHLETICS - Dancer

NOTABLE CHOREOGRAPHY CREDITS:

INDIGIHAUZ - Boyd Whiskeyjack, May Tea, An Xia T
KHAL RAHIME - Edmonton Artist
CAUTION MAY CONTAIN NUTS - Edmonton Television Series