Kayla Kocian

Artistic faculty

Bio

Kayla Kocian joined the RWB school Faculty in 2022. They have also taught at Doreen Bissett School of Dance, Maples Dance Academy, Balmoral Hall School and Ecole River Heights School.

Born in Winnipeg, Kayla began their dance training at the age of two. They have trained at Doreen Bissett School of Dance (DBSD), Shelley Shearer School of Dance, and the School of Contemporary Dancers. They have trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, musical theatre, and Irish dance.

Kayla’s teaching credentials include the directing the Teacher Assistant Program at DBSD, completing the Teacher Training Program with A.D.A.P.T., and many years’ of teaching tap, jazz, Irish dance, hip hop, musical theatre, and ballet at schools, dance studios and community programs across southern Manitoba.

Kayla’s notable accomplishments include competing in the International Dance Organization (IDO) World Championships as part of the Canadian National Tap Team in Riesa, Germany where they brought home a gold medal, and subsequently, was awarded the City of Winnipeg Medal of Achievement by former Mayor Sam Katz. As a teacher, Kayla’s students have accumulated more than 15 Dance Manitoba Scholarships and other awards.

Kayla has had the honour of being invited to teach at the Children’s Museum, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and various schools. They are proud to operate drop-in community classes in rural Manitoba under the B.E.A.T Dance Company, which they formed in 2019.