Meet Our Artistic Director Kayla Dame

Kayla Dame is a Boston native, performer, educator, choreographer, and rehearsal director whose passion for dance began at age 3 at OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center. It was there that her love and appreciation for dance first developed, laying the foundation for her career as both an artist and educator.

After completing elementary school, Kayla continued her training at Tony Williams Dance Center, where she expanded her skills as a performer and artist. During her time there, she performed as a member of the youth cast of The Urban Nutcracker, gaining valuable performance experience and further developing her confidence on stage. During her high school years, Kayla also served as Dance Captain for two fall musicals at Wellesley High School, gaining valuable experience in leadership, rehearsal, and performance. In 2023, Kayla earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a discipline in Commercial and Performance Dance. Her relationship with The Urban Nutcracker has continued throughout her career, and she has served as a Rehearsal Director for the production for three years, guiding dancers through the rehearsal process and contributing to its development.

Throughout her career, Kayla has had the opportunity to work alongside musical artists including Luke Bar$, Alcina Tran, SubJ, and Aaliyah’s Interlude. These experiences have allowed her to expand her professional performance background and work within a variety of creative environments.

As an educator, Kayla is passionate about creating meaningful dance experiences for students of all ages and helping dancers develop confidence, technique, creativity, and a genuine love for movement. Her teaching experience spans multiple styles, age groups, and educational environments.

Kayla began her teaching career at OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, where she taught Hip Hop for one year, and continued teaching Hip Hop at Tony Williams Dance Center for two years. She also taught Creative Dance to children ages 3–5 for one year, introducing young dancers to movement, musicality, creativity, and foundational dance concepts. Kayla has completed three years teaching with American Dance Training Camps (ADTC) in North Carolina and Wisconsin, where she has taught Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and Step. She has also guest-taught at Bayside School of Dance in East Providence, Rhode Island, Studio 109 in New Hampshire, and has taught at City Ballet Boston. Additionally, Kayla spent two years teaching elementary school after-school dance programs through Cambridge Public Schools.

Kayla is entering her third year with the Colleges of the Fenway (COF) Dance Program, where she teaches Hip Hop, Heels, and Hip Hop Foundations/Technique. She also taught Jazz for one semester. Through her work with COF, Kayla continues to develop dancers' technical foundations while encouraging individuality, confidence, and artistry.

Kayla is entering her second year as a dance teacher at Boston Renaissance Charter Public Schools, where she continues to share her knowledge and passion for dance with young students in a school-based environment. She also teaches private dance lessons throughout the Boston area.

Through her work as a performer, choreographer, rehearsal director, and educator, Kayla Dame continues to use dance to inspire, connect, and empower others. Her diverse teaching background—from early childhood and elementary education to collegiate dance and professional training environments—reflects her ability to meet dancers where they are and help them grow. Whether developing foundational technique, exploring new styles, preparing performers for the stage, or creating spaces for artistic expression, Kayla is committed to helping dancers build confidence, embrace their individuality, and discover their own voices through movement.