The LSU Tiger Girls work hard to make every move look effortless, but behind the originality and amazing performance is Jazz choreographer Kristin Daniel.

Daniel has been dancing since she was three and choreographing since she was 15. She has choreographed the Tiger Girls Jazz performances for three seasons and has helped the program peak to new levels. Her first season choreographing the team was in 2024, with an Aaliyah-inspired routine earning their first third-place finish in program history.

2026 was Daniel’s third season with the Tiger Girls, choreographing a Britney Spears-inspired routine, earning a second-place finish and marking their highest placing in program history for Jazz.

“Well, it was kind of just surreal,” Daniel said. “My first year we placed top three, but last year didn’t really go our way, so to come back and for the response to be as overwhelming as it was from obviously the judges, who we’re hoping to get good reviews from, but also the world but just to see it get so well received was really overwhelming and so exciting.”

Even though the placement was a historic and exciting moment for the Tiger Girls, this was personal for Daniel. She tells routines through her life and after last year not going the way she planned, this was a statement that she needed to see.

“It was very personal the whole message for oops, I did it again,” Daniel said. “It was kind of a love letter to myself after last year not really going our way. This was kind of a statement for me as well to just try and get back to myself and trust myself and to trust my work and to leave our mark on the stage.”

Looking ahead to next year, Daniels goal is to keep being herself. She wants to turn in the best possible work while also continuing to make history for the Tiger Girls.

“My goal moving forward is to always have fun and to be authentically myself and to make the Tiger Girls come to life as authentically as possible,” Daniel said. “I want to have all of our voices shine and put the best possible work that we can out every single time we go out there.”

“Pressure is always going to be there but I just have to remember who I get my gifts from and move that way because you can’t really control any outcomes. You can only do your absolute best and be your most authentic self and that’s what I try to do.”

With every routine, Daniel is hoping to continue to shape the Tiger Girls and leave her mark on the UDA stage for years to come.