Dance Classes
Fall 2024/Academic Year 2024-2025
Darlington's Dance Program provides quality dance education to students of all ages in a fun, encouraging and supportive environment. Students gain an appreciation of dance and valuable performing experience through participation in weekly classes. Darlington offers Academic Year classes, Semester classes, and Workshops throughout the year. We are located in Garnet Valley and convenient to Glen Mills, Chadds Ford, Wilmington, and West Chester.
Academic Year classes participate in Darlington's Spring Dance Recital held offsite in June 2025. Upon registration, each student will be charged a $90 dance recital fee. This fee includes the cost of the dance recital costume and up to six recital tickets. Additional tickets can be prepaid closer to the dance recital date. Recital costumes will be selected by teachers and shared with parents.
Semester classes and Workshops do not participate in the annual dance recital. These classes and workshops are intended to be light commitment and tons of fun!
Please click here to see our recommended dance attire for each class!
Because we are a member-supported center for the arts, a non-refundable Family Membership of $75, valid from September 1 through August 31, is required to enroll in all activities (exceptions are noted and include all workshops) and will be pro-rated to $40 for activities beginning after March 1. The Family Membership may be tax-deductible and allows Darlington to maintain facilities, provide excellent administration, care for our instruments and studios, and fulfill our mission to provide Every Art for Everyone. Seniors (55+) may receive a Senior Membership of $40. Seniors must call to register for this membership.
Pre-K and Kindergarten (Non-recital classes)
Tiny Tutus (Saturdays)
Ages: 2-3, Saturdays, 9:00am-9:30am
Our youngest ballerinas are introduced to classical ballet technique, vocabulary and rhythm through games and fairy tale stories.
Teaching Artist: Darlington Teaching Artist
Fall Session 1: September 14, 2024 – November 16, 2024 (9 weeks)
Skip Dates: 10/12/24
Price Before/After July 8: $134/$141
REGISTER ONLINE
Fall Session 2: November 23, 2024 – February 1, 2025 (9 weeks)
Skip Dates: 11/30/24, 12/28/24
Price Before/After July 8: $134/$141
REGISTER ONLINE
A Whole New Twirl
Ages: 3-6, Saturdays, 9:30am-10:30am
Step into your favorite Disney Princess movie! Come learn to dance like your favorite characters! From classic films like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast to newer additions like Frozen and Encanto, you’ll be dancing like royalty! You’ll get to show off your dances for family and friends on the last day. No dance experience or special dance shoes required!
Teaching Artist: Darlington Teaching Artist
Fall Session 1: September 14, 2024 – November 16, 2024 (9 weeks)
Skip Dates: 10/12/24
Price Before/After July 8: $201/$211
REGISTER ONLINE
Fall Session 2: November 23, 2024 – February 1, 2025 (9 weeks)
Skip Dates: 11/30/24, 12/28/24
Price Before/After July 8: $201/$211
REGISTER ONLINE
Pre-K and Kindergarten (Recital classes)
Little Dancer Combo - Saturday
Ages: 3-6, Saturdays, 10:30pm-11:30pm
Young dancers are introduced to classical ballet technique, vocabulary and rhythm as well as the fundamentals of Tap dance in a fun and creative atmosphere.
Teaching Artist: Darlington Teaching Artist
September 14, 2024 – June 7, 2025
Skip Dates: 10/12/24, 11/30/24, 12/28/24, 4/19/25, 5/24/25
Price Before/After July 8: $757/$796
REGISTER ONLINE
Kids and Teens (Recital classes)
Mini Poms
Ages: 7-9, Wednesdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Dream of growing up to be a dance team member or cheerleader? Combine dance with upbeat music and the fun of poms! Dancers will learn the basics of jazz dance and pom technique in this energetic class!
Teaching Artist: Emily Ackin-O'Mahoney
September 11, 2024 – June 11, 2025
Skip Dates: 9/18/24, 11/27/24, 12/25/24, 1/1/25, 3/19/25, 4/16/25
Price Before/After July 8: $757/$796
REGISTER ONLINE
Pom & Lyrical Jazz Combo **Call 610-358-3632 if interested**
Ages: 10-12, Wednesdays, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Jump into the world of jazz dance with two different styles in one class! Dance your emotions with lyrical jazz, then pump up the energy with sharpness and poms! All while learning a great foundation of dance technique.
Teaching Artist: Emily Ackin-O'Mahoney
September 11, 2024 – June 11, 2025
Skip Dates: 9/18/24, 11/27/24, 12/25/24, 1/1/25, 3/19/25, 4/16/25
Price Before/After July 8: $757/$796
Teens (Non-recital classes)
Leaps & Turns Technique for Teens
Ages: 13-18, Wednesdays, 8:00pm-9:00pm
Want a dance class with a particular focus? Looking to improve your dance technique? This semester class will focus on the dance technique of leaps and turns. Come join like-minded teen dancers in a creative, safe environment to improve your technique.
Teacher: Emily Ackin-O'Mahoney
September 11, 2024 – January 29, 2025
Fall Semester Skip Dates: 9/18/24, 11/27/24, 12/25/24, 1/1/25
Price Before/After July 8: $378/$398
REGISTER ONLINE
Adults (Non-recital classes)
SilverSneakers®
Ages: 65+
SilverSneakers® Classic focuses on strengthening muscles and increasing range of movement for daily life activities. Participants can use hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a SilverSneakers® ball. Often a chair is used for seated exercises or standing support.
Teacher: Linda Tracy
Mondays, 10:00-11:00am
Drop-In Classes
Free for Medicare-eligible members of participating health plans. Call your provider to check eligibility. $10 Drop-In Fee for all others
Wednesdays,10:00-11:00am
Drop-In Classes
Free for Medicare-eligible members of participating health plans. Call your provider to check eligibility. $10 Drop-In Fee for all others
Vinyasa Yoga
Ages: 18+, Mondays, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Yoga returns to Darlington! While Hatha yoga focuses on one pose at a time, with rest in between, Vinyasa yoga (also know as flow) strings poses together to make a sequence. Classes are 60 minutes and are designed for all levels. The instructor will provide various options throughout the class to accommodate varying skill levels.
Teaching Artist: Melissa Hanigosky
Fall Session 1: September 16 – November 11, 2024 (9 weeks)
Skip Dates: None
Price: $210.60 (No Membership Required) - $25 Drop-In Rate (if space permits)
REGISTER ONLINE
Fall Session 2: November 18 – January 27, 2025 (8 weeks)
Skip Dates: 11/25/24, 12/23/24, 12/30/24
Price: $187.20 (No Membership Required) - $25 Drop-In Rate (if space permits)
REGISTER ONLINE
Private Dance Instruction
Experienced instructors can help students of all ages and levels begin or improve their technique. To schedule your lessons, call the Registrar at (610) 358-3632.
Why Darlington?
"It is FUN, not competitive!"
"The focus is on the dancers and the art of dance"
"After four years of ballet with [our dance teacher], we just can't say enough about her! Our daughter adores her. And not just because she's "nice"... My daughter sees the value of attention to detail, personal effort, dedication, and the beauty of dance because of [our teacher]'s high standards and good teaching." - Angela, Chadds Ford
"Creativity in dance classes, small class sizes"
"The instructor. She kept my child engaged and wanting to learn more. It brought a tear to my eye watching my child practice her heart out and wanting to go back to class to show her teacher what she has learned. You a have phenomenal teacher that truly is passionate about what she does and it shows in each child that takes her class."