Born and raised in Fort Worth, TX, Kayla has been dancing since the age of 3. She spent most of her childhood training competitively in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. At age 11 she decided to just focus on ballet, studying Balanchine privately under former New York City Ballet and Dutch National Ballet dancer, Gretchen Patchell.
During her time as a student at Azle High School, she found a passion for drill team and was an active member of the Azle High School Emerald Dazzlers. She served as the team's Historian, Junior Lieutenant, and Captain over the years. Following high school, she attended Texas Wesleyan University where she was on the inaugural Gold Line Dancers under the direction of former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders Director, Emily Snow. She served as Co-Captain and was recognized as the recipient of the "DDD" (Dedication, Determination, & Drive) Award and Team MVP. Following her collegiate dance career, she was selected as a member of the NBA G-League Texas Legends Spirit Squad.
Kayla now fulfills her lifelong passion for dance through teaching and musical theater. Since 2017, she has taught K-12 dancers from all over Texas and Oklahoma. She has spent summers touring on Staff with Danceline USA, doing freelance choreography & consulting for high school & collegiate drill/dance teams, and taught at Stand Performing Arts Ministry.
Outside of dance, Kayla holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and works full-time in the pharmaceutical industry. She is married to her wonderful husband, Eathan, and is a dog-mom to two big, beautiful boys and a spider-mom to 17 tarantulas. She is forever grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing her passion with the community at Keller's Grace of Dance.
Psalm 30:11-12 "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."