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.

Dara believes TDA gave her the ever-important foundation that she needed to excel in the performance business. She constantly thinks back to her roots when taking a class at the Broadway Dance Center or Steps in New York City; and in each and every dance audition she attends. It is funny, “I hear in the back of my head Miss Donnajean saying, ‘Point those feet!!’ or Miss Cathy saying, ‘Spot those pirouettes!’ or Miss Janice saying, ‘Extend that line!’,” said Dara.

One big lesson she learned at TDA was teamwork! Learning to be part of a team has been extremely important in the cut-throat business of Theatre. As a proud, TDA Alum, Dara points out how she loved the supportive, nurturing family that TDA offered. In Dara words, “I learned so much more than just how to grand-jeté or pirouette. I learned teamwork and technique. I will continue to carry what I learned during my time at TDA for the rest of my life.”

Dara offers this piece of advice to young dancers, “Take more ballet. If I could do it all over again, the only thing that I would change is my view of ballet. Because it was the hardest class to me, I didn’t try as hard as I possibly could to get my technique down. I still take beginner ballet classes today, because you never know what more you can learn.”

Dara has many accomplishments in her show business career. She was made Dance Captain for multiple productions during her school days; and has served as Dance Captain for a few musicals in her professional days. In the summer of 2018, she the choreography for “Sister Act” and has been nominated for a Broadwayworld.com award for Best Choreography. Most recently, Dara’s a cappella group won the International Championship of A cappella at Carnegie Hall.

Dara shares, “If I could give advice to dancers today, it would be to keep following your passion! There have been some very accomplished dancers that have come out of TDA, and it’s because we all have dreams of making a career out of this art. This business is truly cut-throat and you have to have thick skin, but the rewards outweigh all those times you were cut from an audition or don’t book a job. It’s taken me a while to realize this, but everyone is on their own journey with their career, so just because success doesn’t come immediately, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t destined for something great in the future!”

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Dance has the power to take me to a place of pure bliss, which is probably why I am still dancing all these years later.

Like many young adults, after she graduated high school she headed off to college to pursue a degree in English Literature at Saint Joseph’s University, with a minor in Communications. Her goal was work in Higher Education post-grad.

But then, in Carla’s sophomore year of college, on a whim, she went to a local audition for Walt Disney World Entertainment to be a part of their Disney College Program.  The audition went extremely well and five months later she packed up her things and moved to Florida for what she thought would be a six month stint.  After her six months, she made the decision to stay on as a Seasonal Cast Member with the company and returned to SJU to finish her degree. For several years she flew back and forth to Orlando every chance she had and unsure if she would return fulltime to Disney after graduation.

Carla applied to various jobs in Pennsylvania and New York, all which would utilize the degree she worked so hard for – taking six classes each semester, making the Dean’s List every semester, countless hours in the library studying, etc.  Yet, there was a huge piece of her still in Disney; so much hope and potential of parades and shows she hadn’t yet learned. Then Carla took a chance — she literally went from her graduation ceremony to the airport because she was set to perform in Star Wars Weekends at 7 A.M. the next day at Disney.

Performing for thousands of people each day in the Happiest Place on Earth.  How could you not love it?  Carla is now a full-time performer with Disney, and lives in an apartment right behind the Magic Kingdom.

“The opportunities I’ve had this past year are just amazing… I’ve been on the closing casts of the Jedi Training Academy, Celebrate the Season Christmas Castle Show, and The Main Street Electrical Parade.  I’ve also opened Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, Anna and Elsa’s Royal Sommerhus, and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Castle Show.  I’ve also learned roles in the Festival of Fantasy Parade and Fantasmic!,” said Carla.

According to Carla, Disney has brought so much light into her life, but she would not have gotten as far without the support of her family and strong dance background from TDA.  Something that she will always take with her is remembering while she may not have always been the best dancer in the room, she always tried her hardest.

Carla stated, “If I had to give advice to young dancers, I would tell them to never let anything, especially their own self-doubt, stand in their way. My time with Princess Anna from Frozen has taught me so much, but mainly to be true to yourself and never give up.  I know that may sound cheesy, but it has been the key to my success here at Disney.  Giving it your all on stage and in the rehearsal room is the best way to ensure your top performance.  Don’t take all those hours in the studio for granted; use them not only to perfect your technique, but also your smile and energy. I have made it through multiple domestic and international auditions to see the best technical dancer in the room get cut because they weren’t truly “performing”.  Just something to keep in mind during your next rehearsal.”

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

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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.

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