Intructors
Mrs. Kayla Monroe
(Dance Director)
Introducing Kayla Monroe, a proud native of Philadelphia who has garnered numerous awards, trophies, and state titles throughout her career. Kayla embarked on her dance journey at the age of three at Brenda Lee’s Dance Studio in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. Her training encompassed various styles, including Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Horton, and Baton Twirling. From 2008 to 2012, she furthered her education as a dance major at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), where she showcased her talent in numerous performances and parades, including the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C. During her tenure at CAPA, she was honored to be part of the CAPA dance company and also danced for the NBA’s 76ers Junior Dance Team. Kayla excelled in various dance competitions, achieving first place in multiple categories. After graduating from CAPA in 2012, she pursued higher education at the esteemed Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management. Despite her academic commitments, Kayla maintained her passion for dance by training with the Howard University Bisonette Dance Ensemble, which performed at every home basketball game, campus events, and homecoming parades. Additionally, during her time at Howard, she was crowned Miss Black Pennsylvania USA 2015 and participated in the Miss Black USA national competition. Following her graduation, Kayla returned to Philadelphia, where, fueled by her dedication and aspirations, she established Kreative Legends, a dance studio dedicated to nurturing future leaders and artists. Her commitment to the youth is profound, as she aims to cultivate and train the next generation of respected figures in the arts.
Contact information: kaylashuler@kreativelegends.com
Ms. Malika - Dance Instructor
Meet Malika Ghilyard, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She started her training at L&L Dance Productions and Meredith Elementary School. Malika would go on to attend The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she became dance captain under the direction of LaDeva Davis. During high school, Malika joined the feeder company of Eleone Dance Theatre, Eleone Connections under the direction of Charon am app. Upon high school, Malika took those leadership qualities with her to Howard University, where she was listed as Captain for the Bisonettes Dance Team.
Ms. Jaylah- Dance instructor
Jaylah Diamond Fitzgerald, born and raised in Philadelphia began her love for dance at the age of 3. Throughout her years, she studied ballet, jazz, modern,hip hop, tap and flamenco. Her passion for dance quickly turned to the camera as she started to book music videos with various local artist such as Lean Bean’s “Still in the Mix”, 3XL’s “Get Pretty” and many more. From then on she auditioned frequently and landed a spot as a Sixers Pre Pro dancer and later was accepted into the Creative & Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia (CAPA). This opened the door for new opportunities and soon, while doing her own makeup for shows, complements turned into appointments. Jaylah’s love for the arts will be forever in her heart through movement to making women feel beautiful.
Mrs. Julie- Dance Instructor
Julie, now retired, trained at the Washington School of Ballet and as a professional, had the opportunity to dance all over the world, performing classical roles such as Carmen, Sugar Plum, and Balanchine’s Serenade, as well as in contemporary pieces with choreographers such as Amy Marshall, Stuart Loungeaway, and Seyong Kim. After her dance career, she began teaching fitness in New York City, where she became a Master Trainer and Associate Manager for the company Physique 57. She lived in Thailand for a year, helping start a franchise of the company in Bangkok. Upon her return to New York City, she finished her degree in nutrition and is now a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentialed by the State of New York.
Anssumane Silla Bio-Dance Instructor
An accomplished dancer and drummer, Anssumane began his performing career at
the age of 11 in his native Guinea Bissau. He danced professionally for over 18
years with the National Ballet of Guinea Bissau. He was also a member of the
contemporary dance troupe, Africa Estranha. Anssumane has entertained
ambassadors, presidents and other international. His talent has led him to Mali,
Senegal, The Gambia, South Africa and Libya.
While working with African Estanha, Anssumane created performance pieces that
address strife and suffering (including abuse of power and inequitable access to
clear water and other vital resources) in Guinea Bissau, which has been torn apart
by coups and political violence for decades.
Since arriving in Philadelphia in 2008, Anssumane has toured numerous states,
performing as a dancer and drummer with the Voices of Africa Drum Ensemble.
He has been a featured artist for the Pennsylvania Humanities Council Humanities
on the Road initiative, choreographer for the Kùlú Mèlé African Dance Ensemble,
recipient of “Best in Philly” Dance Class, 2012 and two time awardee of the Folk
Art PA grant.
Anssumane choreographed the showcase production for ArtWell’s Gala 2015
where Director Spike Lee and Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez were in attendance. He
was a member of the 2015 Barrymore recommended play, Black Nativity by
Langston Hughes, at Theater Horizons.
In addition to teaching traditional (Bijagos, Balanta, Fula and Manjaco) and
contemporary dance styles from Guinea Bissau, he teaches a range of other West
African dance styles in studios and schools in various Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Jaelyn Monroe- Pageant coach
Jaelyn Monroe is a recent graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with her
bachelors in political science and Masters of Business Administration. Jaelyn will be attending
the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in Fall of 2025 to study corporate law. Jaelyn started
an organic and protective hair care company in 2020 called the Miss Monroe Collection and was
one of the 2021 Winners of the Inc. U Pitch Competition of $10,000, and was the first black
woman to be on the pitch competition and the first black woman to win. Jaelyn plans to relaunch
the company in 2025 with several distribution channels. Jaelyn also owns a non-profit
organization– The Miss Monro Foundation. She was Victoria's Secrets Pink with Purpose Project
Grant Winner of $25,000 to help support her non-profits mission. Jaelyn also participates in
pageantry, serving as Miss Black Pennsylvania in 2022, Miss MidState 2023 in Miss America's
pageant system and currently Miss Black Mid-Atlantic USA 2024 where she will compete in the
national Miss Black USA competition in August. Jaelyn long term hopes to open her law firm
dedicated to reducing mass incarceration and working with minority-owned businesses to help
bridge the racial wealth gap, and then run for office.
Ms. Angel
(Dance Instructor)
Meet Angel Burton, She fell in love with dance between the ages of 6 and 7 watching the praise dancers at her church. Love at first sight you can definitely say. In her childhood she started praise dancing at Agape Baptist Church and Christ Baptist Church Inc. She joined a recreational Hip Hop group called Exclusive Image located in North Philadelphia. She attended Kensington CAPA where she trained in Ballet, Modern, Bachata, Hip Hop & so much more. Due to financial circumstances Angel could never really commit to a dance school but that didn’t stop her, she joined every free dance class/group she could find, studied and practiced every genre of dance she was ever introduced to which molded her into a very well rounded dancer. When the opportunity did come for Angel to start taking professional classes she started at Brenda Lee’s Dance Studio training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and African. She then attended Kreative Legends training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Majorette, Horton, and more. During her time attending Kreative Legends she was awarded Kreative Legend’s First Legend Of The Year Award in 2019. She recently graduated from Kreative Legends in May 2021 and since then she became a member of Outbreak Dance Company. Angel’s main goal for her students is to not only teach them new tricks, turns, and catchy combos to pull out during the dance battles at the birthday parties but to also help them find, keep, and progress their passions for dance. Every single one of Angel’s students leaves her class disciplined, determined, and dedicated to take on any new class or school they may decide to go to.