Our Judges
Shiny Dancers invites famous dancers with different cultural backgrounds as judges.
They will provide our dancers with professional advices from various backgrounds and cultures.
Lang Ma
Carla Benavides
Carla (She/Her) is the Founder and Artistic Director of Edmonton based dance company, Aya Sol. 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 with various companies 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, 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 Styles: Hip Hop, House, Popping, Locking, Waacking, Reggaeton and for the last two years she has been training in Chicago Footwork.
She has travelled Canada, United States, Spain and Cuba performing and furthering her education in these Street Styles. She has had the opportunity to learn from First Generation Pioneers and the very best in the world such as 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. She has opened for Brooke Lynn Hytes, Michelle Visage and others from RuPaul’s Drag Race and has performed for various Pure Pride Edmonton Events.
Carla has also worked on films, appeared in commercials and local media, and has choreographed for, as well as appeared in a local Television Series. Dance and creativity has been a huge blessing in Carla’s life and she is very passionate about sharing her knowledge, experience and love for it with others. www.ayasol.ca"
Jiayi Zhu
Zhaomi Lu
© 2019