Daniel Klinkhammer, a Rochester native and former Rochester Dance Company member, began his dance training at the age of 7 and has been dancing ever since. His movement training began with Gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do, and Diving before he started taking Jazz dance classes. Shortly after, he began taking Ballet, and eventually Ballroom, Hip-Hop, and Modern dance. During his time as an RDC Company Member, Daniel performed as Fritz in the Company’s inaugural performance of The Nutcracker, a role he reprised several times before being cast as the Mechanical Soldier, the Mouse King, a Russian dancer, and The Nutcracker.
While attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, he studied under prominent local dance artists and performed works created by U of M Faculty members and nationally recognized guest choreographers alike. In the spring of 2016, he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance.
Daniel currently teaches dance at Byron Dance Academy as well as The Dance Lab. He teaches Acro, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Modern dance as well as works with both studio’s competition teams. Mr. Klinkhammer is excited for the opportunity to give back to one of the core dance organizations that helped mold him into the artist he is today by stepping into the role of the co-Artistic Director.
Originally from the Rochester area, Morgan started taking dance classes at the age of two at Janet Lang Dance Studio. Studying various styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, and hip hop, the dance studio soon became her second home. Growing up, Morgan performed in several productions of The Nutcracker with Rochester Dance Company. Her favorite roles include Clara and the Dewdrop Fairy. She also danced competitively with the JLDS competition team.
Morgan continued her dance education at Minnesota State University, Mankato where she graduated in 2019 with a BFA in Dance. During her time at MSU, she studied under multiple dance artists and performed in countless dance productions and musicals. Her most memorable moments include studying abroad in Paris, France and performing at the ACDA National Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Professionally, Morgan has performed with Stark Dance in the Twin Cities and TheatreZone in Naples, Florida. She currently teaches at Dance Conservatory in Mankato and The Dance Lab here in Rochester. Morgan is ecstatic about the opportunity to return to Rochester Dance Company, this time as co-Artistic Director, and to continue to educate local dancers.
You can reach the artistic directors at artisticdirector@rochesterdancecompany.org
