Knights and Damsels Dance Company is a student-run organization, located at the University of Central Florida. Each year, this organization is managed by students, ranging from all sorts of majors: Engineering, Finance, Education, Accounting, Business, Hospitality, and so much more.
These leaders of KDDC are fueled by all the opportunities to give back to the dance community, providing more avenues of growth for all dancers: such as technical classes, teaching opportunities, performance, and networking opportunities around the Orlando community.
Each year, the E-board members plan strategically to ensure that the projects planned and pursued throughout the year will run smoothly. They are dedicated to providing a memorable and positive experience for all dancers, pushing each member to grow as a person as well as in technical skill.
All the hard work that these leaders have poured their heart and souls into are not done for the fame and/or fortune, however we'd really like to give the most special thanks for everything that they have done.
Special thanks to the E-Board members who founded this company in 2012, and continued to keep dance alive.
These leaders of KDDC are fueled by all the opportunities to give back to the dance community, providing more avenues of growth for all dancers: such as technical classes, teaching opportunities, performance, and networking opportunities around the Orlando community.
Each year, the E-board members plan strategically to ensure that the projects planned and pursued throughout the year will run smoothly. They are dedicated to providing a memorable and positive experience for all dancers, pushing each member to grow as a person as well as in technical skill.
All the hard work that these leaders have poured their heart and souls into are not done for the fame and/or fortune, however we'd really like to give the most special thanks for everything that they have done.
Special thanks to the E-Board members who founded this company in 2012, and continued to keep dance alive.
2022-2023 OFFICERS
President - Lindsey Arko
Vice President - Catherine Gregorius
Secretary - Julia Leck
Artistic Director -
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Faculty Advisor - Judi Siegfried
Bio:
Lindsey Arko is from Tampa, FL. She is a senior at UCF, pursuing a major in Hospitality. Lindsey began dancing at the age of 4 and danced competitively for 6 years. Lindsey also went to a performing arts high school where she studied ballet and modern techniques, took many different style classes with guest artists, and attended workshops, such as MODAS and LINES. Lindsey's passion grew more after joining KDDC as she was on the artistic board, choreographed pieces for showcases, and served as Knight-thon Co-Captain. She is very excited to serve as president and to lead KDDC this year.
Bio:
Catherine Gregorius is from Clermont, Florida. Catherine is a junior at UCF and is majoring in Secondary Education Social Sciences and minoring in Dance. She danced from the age of 3-18 at Clermont Academy of Dance. Catherine was a member of the Intensive Study Program and the Main Attraction Competition Team. Catherine trained in all styles, bur focused on ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She joined KDDC in Fall 2022, and has assisted on artistic board as well as choreographed her own piece in a KDDC showcase. Catherine is so excited to make this year fantastic for KDDC!
Bio:
Julia Leck grew up around Tampa, Florida. Julia is a senior at UCF with a major in Kinesiology. Julia started dancing at the age of 2 at Contempo School of Dance. At her studio, she assisted with the mini teams for several years and became a dance instructor for two years before graduating high school. She trained in all styles of dance and was a competitive dancer for 11 years. Julia was the Captain of her dance team in high school, the "Luvabulls" for two consecutive years. She enjoyed also participating in dance conventions around Florida. Julia is eager and excited to make memories this year with KDDC.
Bio:
Juliana Bentley-Krest grew up in Sanford, Florida. Juliana is a senior at UCF and majoring in Integrated Business and a minor in dance. She danced for 15 years competitively for studios in Orlando, was on Seminole High School Varsity Dance team in high for four year, two year officer, and has been on KDDC for three years. She served as the artistic lead last year and is involved in Kappa Alpha Theta on campus.
Bio:
Danel De Roux was born and raised in South Florida but family is South African. Danel is a third year at UCF and majoring in Kinesiology and a minor in dance. She started dancing at the age of 3 and was a competitive dancer for 13 years. Danel completed all 12 levels of the American Academy of Ballet. She has been on KDDC for four semesters and was on the artistic board.
Bio:
Chloe Ogles is from Cape Coral, Florida. Chloe is a third year at UCF with a major in Actuarial Sciences and a minor in Statistics and Dance. She has been dancing since she was 4 and continues to assist and teach classes at Dance Dimensions, when she has breaks from school. Chloe has finished her first year on KDDC and took part in many extra pieces and is also a member of the new on-campus tap club, "Rhythm of the Knight". Chloe loves musical theatre and everything with a lot of performing and character work.
Bio:
Mrs. Judi Freed-Siegfried has been involved in dance throughout her whole life as her family has owned and operated dancing schools in South Carolina for over 55 years. A dancer and choreographer, Judi studied dance at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.). After graduation she then received a teaching assistantship to Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas where she obtained her Master of Fine Arts Degree (M.F.A.) in ballet. In 1986, Judi served on the faculty at Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina teaching jazz and ballet. After moving to Florida, Judi taught on the faculty of local colleges including, Valencia Community College, Rollins College, and the University of Central Florida. Following her family’s footsteps, Judi opened up her own studio in Oviedo, Florida in 1991. On top of educating her students in dance, Judi has stressed the importance of being involved in the local community. Her studio has been active in performing for retirement communities, schools, local festivals, and fundraising for Relay for Life. She still teaches and lectures on tap, ballet, jazz, and modern at the University of Central Florida, where she has remained on faculty since 1988. For over 20 years, Judi has supported Tremaine’s workshops and conventions, where her studio students have grown throughout the years, winning scholarships and title awards. Judi and her students have studied in New York and California in order to keep up with the current dance trends. Her students continue to win top awards at many dance competitions on the regional and national levels and have appeared on local and national television broadcasts. In the summer of 2009, Ms. Freed-Siegfried was honored by Tremaine Dance as the 2009‐2010 Teacher of the Year. This nationally recognized prestigious achievement is awarded to dance instructors who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and commitment to the art of dance education.
A Special Thanks to Previous E-Board Members of KDDC
2012-2013President - Courtney Eierman
Vice President - Tara Stanko Secretary - Cat Sochar Treasurer - Quinn Zagorc Historian - Shelby Hendersen Social Media Coordinator - Rebecca Bormel 2014-2015President - Madison Daniel
Vice President - Shoshanna Babbit Secretary - Taylor Brennan Treasurer - Jennelle Mendes 2016-2017President - Pearltry Suen
Vice President - Briana Hazzi Secretary - Erin Davenport Treasurer -Krystal Huot Artistic Director - Madison Daniel Artistic Lead - Megan Fuhrman 2018-2019 President - Faith Jimenez Vice President - Sarah Crabtree Secretary - Kaylee Smith Treasurer - Miranda Magnan Artistic Director - Carly Chernoff Artistic Lead - Ambar Rodriguez 2020-2021 President - Giovanna Castagna Vice President - Samantha O'Donnell Secretary - Alyssa Christen Treasurer - Callie Duncan Artistic Director - Savannah Sanabria Artistic Lead - Kitana Rojas |
2013-2014President - Gioia Marie
Vice President / Artistic Director- Kaylee Randall Secretary / Treasurer - Brittany Zimmerman Artistic Lead - Casey Field Historian - Madison Daniel 2015-2016President - Jennelle Mendes
Vice President - Pearltry Suen Secretary - Amanda Akimenko 2017-2018President - Krystal Huot
Vice President - Genesis Diaz Secretary - Caitlin Sucio Treasurer - Faith Jimenez Artistic Director - Tabitha Clear Artistic Lead - Carly Chernoff 2019-2020 President - Miranda Magnan Vice President - Kaylee Smith Treasurer - Giovanna Castagna Artistic Director - Carly Chernoff Artistic Lead - Savannah Sanabria 2021-2022 President - Callie Duncan Vice President - Danielle Roque Secretary - Sami Yurick Treasurer - Emma Reed Artistic Director - Kitana Rojas Artistic Lead - Juliana Bentley-krest |