2024-2025 COMPANY ARTISTS
CAITLIN WINKLER
Caitlin Winkler is from Wilmington, North Carolina and is a recent graduate from James Madison University (JMU). There she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. Caitlin was an active member of the dance program and was involved in numerous student and faculty pieces throughout her time at JMU. In her junior and senior year, Caitlin performed in JMU’s pre-professional dance company, the Virginia Repertory Dance Company. While attending JMU, Caitlin had the incredible opportunities to learn and perform work by guest artists such as Abraham in Motion (A.I.M), DanceWorks Chicago, Ballet Hispánico, Christian Warner, Xiang Xu, Ricky Ruiz, and Emily Cargill. In her senior year, Caitlin had the opportunity to present her choreography at the American College Dance Association festival, was a Student Director for the Associate Dance Ensemble, and was given an award for community engagement by JMU’s dance faculty.
This is Caitlin’s third season with Emily Cargill and Dancers and is thrilled to continue growing, learning, and exploring with the company!
OLIVIA LINDFORS
Olivia Lindfors is a graduate from the University of Florida’s BFA Dance program. Olivia is a dance artist originally from Daytona Beach, FL who grew up studying and expanding her art form through studio dance and various intensives. During her time at the University of Florida, Olivia was awarded several School of Theatre & Dance Scholarships as well as the opportunity to showcase her choreography at American College Dance Association’s festival her senior year. Olivia has trained with serval notable mentors, traveled to several festivals and performances with Emily Cargill and Dancers as well as studied abroad in Sorrento, Italy at the Staibdance Intensive ‘23.
Olivia is in her fourth season with ECD and can’t wait to expand her passion for dance further through this company!
MACKENNA JACOBS
Mackenna Jacobs, a Jacksonville native, is a dynamic dancer whose journey has taken her from the stages of Jacksonville University, where she graduated with a BFA, to a multitude of enriching experiences. During her time at JU, Mackenna’s dedication to her craft earned her esteemed dance scholarships and awards reflecting her growth and commitment. She was given the opportunity to expand her knowledge of her craft by working and learning alongside various choreographers and professors, as well as, showcasing her work at the JU Senior Dance Concert. Since graduating, Mackenna has honed her skills through training intensives extending as far as Sorento, Italy. She has had the privilege of traveling to numerous cities with Emily Cargill and Dancers to present their captivating works. This is Mackenna’s third season with ECD and she is ecstatic for another chapter of growth and artistic exploration with the company.
EMILY CARAS
Emily Caras is a dance artist originally from Hope Mills, North Carolina. She just recently graduated from East Carolina University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography where she had the opportunity to study under and perform in pieces choreographed by esteemed choreographers and educators such as Galina Panova, Jessica Teague, Rolland Culler, John Dixon, Sayward Grindley, and many others. During her time at ECU, Emily was an active member of many dance organizations such as the ECU Dance Science Club and the National Honors Society of Dance Arts. She was also given the opportunity to not only perform in numerous faculty, guest, and student-created works but to also perform and participate in full-length pieces receiving Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity grants. While continuing her education, Emily has attended intensives and trained under world-renowned choreographers at the American Dance Festival and the Henny Jurriëns Studio’s Amsterdam Summer Intensive. This is Emily’s first season with ECD.
STEPHANIE BERMUDEZ is a graduate from Jacksonville University’s BFA dance program, where she trained in Modern, Ballet, and Jazz. She was also on her college dance team for four years where she performed technical jazz or hip hop on her school’s basketball court during halftime. Her team was able to compete at NDA her freshman and junior year. Throughout her years at JU, she has worked with many choreographers in and out of the dance program over the years such as, Jennifer Archibald, Duncan Cooper, Paula Nunez, Norbert De La Cruz III, Lana Heylock, Yidi Lin, Nicholson Twins, Amy Miller, Jon Leher, and many more. She was also able to choreograph her own work in her junior and senior year, along with having multiple opportunities to perform on stage. Stephanie grew up in Tampa, FL where she trained in multiple styles at her home studio, All American Dance Factory, along with intensives and workshops. This is Stephanie’s 3rd season with ECD!
OLIVIA FLOYD
Olivia Floyd is a movement artist from Gainesville, FL and recently graduated from the University of Florida with a BFA degree. She has produced several works through the Harn Museum of Art and the University of Florida, and has produced and choreographed a film presented at the American College Dance Association and the Hippodrome of Gainesville. She has worked with Xan Burley, Alex Springer, Mx Oops, d. Sebela grimes, Trent D. Williams, Peter Carpenter, Harley O’Neil, and now Emily Cargill.
She is thrilled to begin her journey with ECD!
JAYDEN THOMAS
Jayden Thomas is a queer dancer and creator native to Texas, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Houston. She has choreographed for high school dance teams nationwide and showcased her work at events like the Emerging Choreographers Showcase and UH Goes to the MATCH. Jayden has performed in various concerts, collaborating with prominent choreographers such as Derion Lowman, Charles Patterson, and Key’Aira Lockett. She has received extensive training from esteemed instructors, including Adele Nickel, Teresa Chapman and Franscisco Graciano and has participated in workshops with renowned artists. In Summer 2023, she attended the Bates Dance Festival on scholarship and recently joined the David Dorfman Dance Winter Intensive in January 2024. This is Jayden’s first season as an apprentice with ECD.