The D Sharps at UD
Meet the D's !
Kavya Beldona
Junior// President
​
Hometown: Newark, DE

Major: Marketing
Minor: Business Analytics
​
Kavya is a junior Marketing major who has been singing for as long as she can remember. Throughout high school, she participated in All State Chorus and All Eastern Chorus, and was involved in her high school’s concert choir for nine years. When she’s not singing, she loves to bake, spend time with friends and family, and go to concerts. She joined the D-Sharps because music has always been her biggest passion. “Music gives me so much happiness and I am so grateful I get to explore the world of a cappella with these beautiful women. Leading these ladies has not only made me a better person, but has provided me with such a valuable support system. I absolutely love having a safe space to do what I love and laugh with my best friends and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our group.”
Cecilia Jozef
Junior// Vice President
​
Hometown: Long Island, NY
​
Major: Nursing
Minor: Human Development and Family Sciences
Cece is a junior nursing major with an HDFS minor. She's played sports her whole life, but has also always loved singing. She has so much fun performing and making music with a group of girls who always have each others backs. "Auditioning was one of the best decisions I could ever make! I know all the memories and friendships I have made, and will continue to make, will last me a lifetime:)"
​
Hailey Benowitz
Senior// Music Director

Hometown: Plainview, NY

Major: Early Childhood Education
Minors: Disability Studies and Human Development and Family Sciences
Music has been a part of Hailey's life for as long as she can remember. When she is not singing, you can find her arranging music for the group, binge-watching Glee, or eating sushi! She joined the D Sharps as a way to continue her love of music and singing during her college years. “I was involved in my high school’s a cappella program for all four years in an all-girls group and I loved it because it gave me a strong feeling of sisterhood, which I still wanted in college. The D Sharps have been nothing short of that! Nothing makes me happier than being able to do the thing I love with the most talented, kind-hearted group of girls three days a week.”
Jessica Thatcher
Sophomore// Assistant Music Director
​
Hometown: Bloomsburg, PA
​
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Forensic Science
​
Jessica has always loved to sing and has been involved in music throughout her schooling. When she isn't singing, she likes to exercise, organize, and watch Netflix documentaries. "I joined the D-Sharps because it's a powerful group of women vocalists that are passionate about music! I can't imagine what my college experience would be like without a musical outlet to get my mind off of classes."
Grace Monaghan
Senior// Secretary
​
Hometown: Roxbury, NJ

Major: English
​
Grace has been singing ever since she can remember. She has done multiple musicals and was a part of a few choirs in middle/high school. Besides singing, Grace loves to exercise, write, read and hang out with her friends and family. She says her siblings are her best friends and she wouldn’t trade them for the world. “I am so glad I decided to come to UD because I wouldn’t have made all the amazing memories I have anywhere else.”
Suchita Ramachandra
Junior// Treasurer, Public and Alumni Relations
​
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
​
Majors: Biology and Liberal Arts with a concentration in the MedScholars Program
Minor: Vocal Performance
​
Suchita is a junior biology major who has been singing her whole life! She was a part of musical theater, a cappella, and a few choirs in high school. When she's not singing, she loves to bake (she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!), read, spend time with friends, and rewatch New Girl or Criminal Minds for the millionth time. "Joining the D Sharps was the best decision of my college career! I love making music with my most favorite ladies <3"
Emily Martin
Senior

Hometown: Wilmington, DE

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Mathematics
Emily is a senior mechanical engineering student who loves spending time with her friends. When she's not studying in the library or singing with the D-Sharps, Emily enjoys running, hiking, traveling, concerts, yoga, meditation, knitting, and playing with her bunny. Emily is super excited to be continuing her role as treasurer this year and can't wait for an amazing semester with the group. Emily loves being a D Sharp and singing with such talented ladies who all have the same passion as she does. "I joined the D Sharps because I was missing something in my college life and I found it with them!"
Emily Brown
Sophomore
​
Hometown: Chatham, NJ
​
Major: Psychology
​
Emily is a freshman Psychology major from northern NJ who loves chocolate, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and music! She loves singing, playing the ukulele, and spending time with her friends and family. She also loves reading, playing soccer, and finding the best places to get ice cream (recommendations are always appreciated)! Emily's super excited to get to know all the D-Sharps, explore UD, and make music! She can't wait to make tons of great memories with this amazing group!
Jillian Reifsnyder
Sophomore
​
Hometown: Bensalem, PA
​
Major: Pre-Veterinary Medicine
​
Jillian has always been drawn to music, and has enjoyed singing for as long as she can remember. She was also in both of her high school’s choir groups. When she’s not singing, you can find her listening to Taylor Swift, volunteering with animals, or getting food from Main Street with her friends. Jill also enjoys movie nights and beach days. "All the girls are lovely, and have made me feel like a part of their family from the beginning. I’m so happy to be able to rehearse and perform in person this year!”
Nicole Detorres
Senior​
​
Hometown: Bear, DE
​
Major: Hospitality Business Management
Minor: Entrepreneurship
​
Nicole is a senior Hospitality Business Management major with a minor in Entrepreneurship, and she hopes to open up her own unique cafe some day! Singing has always been a part of her life through school chorus and choir groups and fun Filipino karaoke with her family! She is extremely happy to be a part of something where she can share her love for music and singing with others and get to know more amazing people along the way! In her free time, Nicole enjoys anything outdoors in nature, making memories with friends and family, and always loves capturing photos and creating and editing videos for fun! "I am so happy to be joining the D Sharps and I'm super excited to get to know everyone better and learn songs together!"
Haylie Lempert
Junior​
​
Hometown: Great Neck, NY
​
Major: Human Services
​
Haylie is a junior majoring in Human Services and hopes to pursue a career in the counseling field. She has always loved helping people feel good about themselves. Haylie has performed in theater productions as well as various solo and group performances throughout her life. She is so excited to be part of a new musical family! "I joined the D Sharps because singing and performing have always been my passion and I cannot wait to share it with my new singing sisters!"
Jacqueline Tkaczenko
Sophomore
​
Hometown: Wayne, NJ
​
Majors: Criminal Justice & Psychology
​
Jackie is a sophomore born and raised in Wayne, NJ. During her free time, she loves spending time with her friends and family, reading, singing (obviously), eating food (mainly pizza), and watching her favorite show, Gossip Girl. She joined the D Sharps because she really loves to sing and perform with the people she loves. She has been in over 20 musical theater productions and she has been in choir at school since 6th grade, so she clearly has a passion for being on stage! "I am so excited to be a part of the D Sharps to make long-lasting friendships with people who share a common interest as me--singing!"
Jada Ballard
Junior
​
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ
​
Major: Health Behavior Science
Minor: Psychology
​
Music has been a major part of Jada’s life well before she even learned to walk! She enjoys singing in a variety of settings including choirs, theatre, and worshipping, among many other avenues. She enjoys watching Grey’s Anatomy and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. In her free time, you can find her at the squat rack in the gym. Jada is so excited to make fabulous music with the D Sharps!
​
​
Malika Iyer
Freshman
​
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
​
Major: Mechanical Engineering
​
Malika has been singing for as long as she can remember. When she’s not singing, you can find her reading, volunteering, rewatching New Girl or B99, and playing music on her ukulele. She was involved in various musical activities throughout high school, including musical theatre performances and being in a band. “I joined the D Sharps to expand my boundaries and learn to become a better singer through the support of other amazing, helpful, and supportive women. I couldn’t have asked for a better second family.”
Grace Matthiessen
Freshman
​
Hometown: Shamong, NJ
​
Major: Fashion Merchandising and Management
​
Music has been a major part in Grace’s life ever since she was little. Since she was four she’s been involved in dance including ballet and jazz. All throughout high school she’s also been involved in her high school’s chamber choir. Besides music Grace loves all things fashion, especially thrifting! She’s so excited to be continuing her love of music with a group of amazing women. “By far the highlight of my college experience was auditioning and joining this amazing group! It’s been such a joy getting to sing with all these talented ladies. I’m so excited for this upcoming year!”