BCFD Facultry

Maggie Sullivan, currently a professional dancer with Florida Dance Theatre in Lakeland, is a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and began her ballet training with Kristin and Peter Degnan at the Degnan Ballet Center. She studied jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and modern dance under Tim Early, Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch, and Lynne Mariani, and founded the Holy Redeemer High School Dance Team. She continued her studies at Mercyhurst University, under the direction of Tauna Hunter, where she received a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy, choreographed a number of works presented at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, acted as coordinator of the Liturgical Dance Ensemble, served on the Leadership Team and as an Ambassador for the university. In her career, she has performed dozens of roles in The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Etudes, The Firebird, Giselle, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Little Match Girl, as well as various contemporary works. She has taught a wide variety of dance classes, master classes, and community outreach demonstrations in varying age and technique levels at studios and schools in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, and Florida. She has performed with SOMAR Dance Works in Erie, PA, District Dance Theater in Germantown, MD, Metropolitan Ballet Theatre in Gaithersburg, MD, and Connect The Dots Dance Company in Washington DC. She also is a dance photographer with her company En Pointe Photography, and loves making posts about her student on her instagram TinyTeacherFL!

Ms. Kim Ridolf is starting her 25th year with us at BCFD. She has become an important part of our dance centre’ and we feel honored to have her! She resides in Winter Haven with her husband, Michael. Ms. Kim grew up in Chelsea, Oklahoma. She like so many of you started her technical training in her neighborhood, dance facility and an early age was a member of her dance team called the Fabulous Feet’s Dance Company. She received her bachelor of performing arts and history minor from Oklahoma City University. From the specialized training that she received she became a professional dancer and teacher. Ms. Kim landed her first professional job at Discoveryland! in Tulsa. Oklahoma performing the production of Oklahoma. Also, during that time she taught at two dance Studios: Karen‘s Kids and Susan Webb Studios. Ms. Kim then moved to Branson Missouri where she spent the next five years performing at shows such as Shoji Tabuchi Theater, the Yakov Smirnoff show, the Dino Kartsonakis show, Country Tonite, and the Glen Campbell Good Time show. She worked full-time at the Premier Dance Academy, and part-time at Branson performing arts. She then moved to Central Florida to perform at Disney at the Diamond Hirseshoe Revue in the Magic Kingdom. Being the final cast to close the show in 2000. In 2005 to 2008 Ms Kim worked part-time at Busch Gardens performing in the show called Katonga. She is looking forward to many more years with our BCFD students, staff and families. When not dancing Ms Kim enjoys family life, friends, camping, bike riding, traveling, her chihuahuas Ed & Lou, and most Importantly, spending time with daughter Zoe and her two beautiful grandchildren, Noni and Isaiah. Thanks Ms. Kim for the awesome job you do!

Kaitlin Watkins has been a teacher with us for 5 seasons. Its with a warm heart to say that Kait started her BCFD journey as a predancer at 3. She became a BCFD Dazzler (competitive team) at the age of six and continued through high school. She was honored to win several national titles and high score awards. In 2010-2011 she was crowned Miss BCFD and in 2020, she was crowned Miss Celebration (an honor that is only given every 5-10 years). She is an honor graduate of Florida Southern College, where she received a Masters Degree in Education and a minor in Dance. She is currently a 3rd grade teacher at Lake Alfred Elementary. In her spare time, she enjoys church and teaching children about God. She also loves the beach, Disney and watching sports, especially the Florida teams!!

Hi my name is Taylor Lingley. I have been dancing with BCFD since I was two and started competing when I was 5. I competed in solos, duets, small groups and large groups. I have won nationals several times with a trio, small groups and large groups. Upon graduating high school I started teaching dance and enjoy it so much. I am also attending Polk State College, majoring in elementary education. This year I am in hopes of getting my personal training certification as well. When not at the studio, you can find me reading, substitute teaching or at the gym. I’m so lucky to be able to teach wonderful kids every week!!

Hello Familia! My name is Mary Katherine Gonzalez or Ms MK, as known around BCFD. I live in Valrico Florida with my wonderful husband, Kevin and two beautiful children, Oliver and Ella. I went to Winter Haven High School, Polk State College, and then graduated from University of South Florida with a major in business management. I've had a love for dance for as long as I can remember. I started my dance journey at a young age with Connies School of Dance, which we now know as Barbara's Centre for Dance. My formal training in all areas of dance continued through college, during this time I developed a strong love for Hip Hop. BCFD has made me who I am today and has strengthened me in so many ways. I am forever grateful for this second home. Its been an honor and privilege to work along side with Barbara and Kim who are not only my mentors of many years but now my dear friends. I continue to learn and grow from them and am thankful for the bond and wonderful memories we have created. In my spare time you will find me traveling and spending time with friends and family. I am excited for another great year! God bless!!

Ms. Kiersten is thrilled to be returning for her 4th year as BCFD’s tap teacher! Ms. Kiersten is a 2012 BCFD and Dazzler alumna. During all 12 seasons as a Dazzler, she competed a tap solo and was honored to receive numerous Top 5 awards and specialty awards. She is also a former tap Duet National Champion. Ms. Kiersten graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in 2016 and then went on to graduate cum laude from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. While at UF, Kiersten was the president of the tap dance team, Stomp the Swamp. Her performance credits with Stomp the Swamp include performances at Disney, annual showcases partnered with New York City’s Broadway Cares, University of Florida's homecoming parade, and other University-wide events (including one that was featured on ESPN!) In addition, she was a choreographer, master class teacher, and continued her tap dance education while in college from tappers including So You Think You Can Dance’s Peter Sabisino and tap choreographer, Jay Fagan. Ms. Kiersten is currently a law partner at Bracken & Bergwall, P.A. She lives in Lakeland with her husband, Patrick, and son, Beau. In her free time, she loves shopping trips with her mom and grandma, enjoying time outside by her pool, and playing with her dog, Genovia.