Dara Orland – performer, dancer, signer and chorographer began her dancing career at The Dance Academy (TDA) when she was four (4) years old. Dara spent her early career at TDA dancing four days a week learning technique in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, point and contemporary. She spent 14 years at TDA taking classes and being part of the dance team. “I loved the classes at TDA because I became the dancer I am today, but I think more importantly, I loved (and continue to love) that TDA was a family, where everyone mattered and where you could feel supported by one another, no matter what level you were,” said Dara

After graduating High School, Dara went onto New York University (NYU) and studied musical theatre. There she took dance classes three days a week, along with singing and acting classes. At NYU, she was one of the more accomplished dancers. “I truly have TDA to thank for what I learned while I was growing up from dance classes to competitions, it has absolutely continued to help me along in my career. I am always thinking back to my roots as a dancer, because when it comes down to it, that foundation is everything,” said Dara.

Today, Dara is an Actor based out of New York City and represented by Gregg Baker Management. But the learning has not stopped, she is constantly auditioning and taking classes to improve her craft and self in her field. She has performed all around the US and has choreographed in the US and internationally. [Read more…]

Carla began dancing at The Dance Academy (TDA) when she was six years old after trying two other studios, but made TDA her home. For Carla, dance was always a passion and she knew there was something special about TDA, the teachers and the dancers. As a dancer Carla was able to grow and flourish due hours spent on TDAs competition team, session’s with guest teachers, and TDA classes that pushed her to the limits the best way possible. [Read more…]

Tori practically grew up at The Dance Academy (TDA). Tori a shy girl, began dancing at TDA at seven years old once or twice a week. Fast forward to the age of 17, when Tori danced at least 15 hours a week during her senior year. TDA became a second family to Tori as she grew in the art of dance by taking tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, theater, and tumbling. She also grew confidence as a young woman and strong team member of the TDA Dance Team.

You could say TDA has helped shape the life of this young woman.

Tori reminisces about a time she told The Dance Academy’s owner and lead dance teacher, Ms. Donnajean that she couldn’t do a certain step. She expected Ms. Donnajean to understand and give her another step, but instead she said “Well that’s too bad, because I think you can. Try again.” These lessons in persistence helped Tori develop into a confident and poised young woman.

Now a freshman at Saint Joseph’s University and a member of the Saint Joseph’s dance team, Tori finds herself pulling from the many lessons learned in the dance studio as well as out of the dance studio. Dance encouraged her to come out of her shell, and gave her a place where she was 100% welcome to fully be herself.

She has this to say to the dancers at TDA “You are all beautiful dancers … Never stop pushing yourselves, encouraging each other, or doing what you love to do… because dancing with TDA has made me happier than any award ever will,” Tori Burke.

Click on the album to view photos of Tori’s time at TDA.