Sharing the joy of music & movement
Our Mission
Fancy Taps empowers youth through the art of tap dance by fostering authentic self-expression, confidence, discipline as well as leadership. Through rhythm and movement, we create a safe and inclusive space where students can strengthen their mental well-being, build meaningful relationships, and discover the tools to carry life long lasting skills & confidence into all areas of life.
Our Vision
Fancy Taps empowers youth through the art of tap dance by fostering authentic self-expression, confidence, discipline as well as leadership. Through rhythm and movement, we create a safe and inclusive space where students can strengthen their mental well-being, build meaningful relationships, and discover the tools to carry life long lasting skills & confidence into all areas of life.
Our
Story
Get to Know Us
The Fancy Taps Foundation's Founder, M’Kayla Kongnetiman (Ma-kai-la), is a Calgary-based multidisciplinary dance artist, singer, and emerging choreographer with a lifelong passion for sharing the joy of music and movement. She began dancing at the age of three and went on to train competitively in a wide range of styles, with a particular specialty in tap. Her dedication to her craft has taken her around the world — from performing and competing in Germany, New York City, Seattle, and Las Vegas, to representing Canada as part of the 2019 National Tap Team.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Economics at the University of Calgary, M’Kayla is also a graduate of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program. Her professional accomplishments include being named a 2024 TD Incubator Artist, performing as a featured tap soloist for Arts Commons’ Black History Month Cabaret, and working with NAPPY Collective as both a live performer and dance film artist.
As a first-generation Canadian with Surinamese roots, M’Kayla infuses her technical training with her lived experiences as a Black woman in North America. This unique perspective has shaped her artistry and inspired her to use dance as a vehicle for empowerment, confidence, and connection. Through teaching at Elite Dance Academy, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, and as director of Fancy Footwork Dance Projects, she has nurtured dancers of all ages in a supportive and inspiring environment.
With the creation of her nonprofit, Fancy Taps, M’Kayla is carrying this mission forward: using the art of tap dance to empower youth, foster resilience, and support mental well-being while building stronger communities through rhythm and movement.
