Mikayla Burton is a Columbus, Ohio native with versatile dance training, experiences, and goals. She received most of her beginner and intermediate dance lessons at Pinnell Dance Centre in Gahanna. There she danced competitively for 10 years and studied the disciplines of ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pompon, gymnastics, and hip hop. Burton danced throughout high-school as a member of the Columbus Alternative H. S. Dance Theater, as captain of the Blue Cadets Drill Team, and as the dance ministry leader at her church. She then attended Ohio University (OU), where she received advanced/collegiate dance training and a minor certificate of Dance Performance & Choreography. At OU, Burton continued her love of dancing for God as the director for Hallel Dancers of Anointed Ministries. Among several performances over the years, Burton had the honor and privilege of performing with Azaguno African Dance & Drum Ensemble at the 2011 International Percussion Convention in Taipei, Taiwan; an experience she will never forget. After a 2-year dance hiatus due to career development after graduation, Burton performed as a company dancer with FTLOD in Spring 2014 show, “Life is a Dance About Courage.” Burton has been inseparable with her FTLOD family every since.
For as long as she can remember, dance has been Burton’s “outlet.” She feels the gift of dance is just as important as her Engineering Management career. At this point, Life has taken her on many journeys, revelations, and discoveries and she desires to make the best of everything and everyone she encounters. Having the willingness to learn from others and one’s surroundings is a characteristic she does not take for granted. She aspires to develop a community center for the arts and education and continues to be an activist for cultural relations and enrichment through the arts in public and urban sectors. Competition, recitals, musicals, half-time, and concerts are rewarding but, when she choreographs from the Soul, dances in the Spirit, and teaches children Burton feels most fulfilled in her purpose because, “When I Dance, I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole, that is why I dance.”
-Hans Bos