Originally from Franklin Lakes, NJ, Ms. Knightly completed her formal training on scholarship at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and a BA in French. While at SMU, she studied under Leslie Peck, Myra Woodruff, Shelley Berg, and Karen Kriete. She has performed in works by Twyla Tharp, George Balanchine, Viktor Plotnikov, Joost Antoine Vrouenraets, and Martha Graham, including Graham’s iconic solo Lamentation. She previously danced with Charleston Ballet Theatre. This is Ms. Knightly’s second season with Festival Ballet Providence.