Mikaela has been passionate about art and music since childhood, and briefly dabbled in ballet, jazz, and flamenco dancing as a child. She discovered ballroom and latin partner dancing in 2009 at the University of Alberta, and quickly rose through the ranks to teaching assistant and competitor. She moved to New Zealand in 2012 and a few years later discovered West Coast Swing and Zouk. Mikaela explored various styles of partner dancing, but loved the variety of music and freedom of expression that West Coast Swing offered. She taught and competed all over the world in West Coast Swing, and eventually found her way to Waterloo, Ontario in 2020. She quickly became a part of the UW Mambo teaching team and enjoyed dancing salsa and bachata socially through Underdog Dance Corp.’s Salsa in the Square and Thursday socials.
With no West Coast Swing teachers or studios existing in Waterloo after the pandemic, Mikaela was missing a crucial part of her life. Her love for the dance style and the community that West Coast Swing attracts caused her to start Remix Swing in 2022 as KW’s only West Coast Swing focused dance school. Today she teaches over 100 students weekly in Waterloo and Guelph, and has fostered a vibrant and inclusive community of dancers and friends. She encourages students to compete and learn at events across Canada, and is proud of the passion and kindness her students embody everywhere they go.
Mikaela’s goal is to continue building a supportive and social dance community where everybody is welcome – a safe space for expression and learning.
