Emily Ackin-O'Mahoney (Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Pointe) BFA Dance Education (University of the Arts). She has studied with Ronen Koresh, Scott Jovovich, and Christine Cox. Emily grew up in Kansas City, Missouri training at Ibsen Dance Theatre, supplemented by Joffrey San Antonio, Missouri Fine Arts Academy, and Stephens College Summer Dance Program. She was a member of the award-winning North Kansas City High School Dance Team for three years and two-time UDA All-Star recipient. She assisted with preparation and execution of the National High School Dance Festival held in Philadelphia in March 2012. Emily has been an instructor with Universal Dance Association and is currently a dance teacher throughout the Philadelphia area. She loves teaching jazz, tap, ballet, and creative movement at Darlington! While she is in the studio, she aims to continuously encourage her dancers. She believes in respect, honesty, hard work, and not giving up.
Nashira Council (Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Ballroom, Zumba) Dance Education: University of the Arts. Additional training: NYU, Zumba, Ballroom Crystal Dansport, Wheel Chair Ballroom, Bollywood Ayre, Acrobatics, Break Dancing, and Latin Dancing. Nashira has performed professionally in New York City, Atlantic City, Pennsylvania and internationally. She has been instructing dance for over 13 years to children and adults and has taught and trained in numerous area studios as a dance instructor/choreographer and personal trainer. Nashira also has performed for various chart-topping artists both in the US and abroad. In every class, she teaches control and self-discipline with movements that require patience and innovation, often incorporating different styles while infusing movements to create a new style. Her dance classes are always energizing and dynamic!
Olivia Goodwin (Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop) Olivia received her B.A in Theatre and Dance from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2013. She discovered a passion for choreography and performance while in the University Theatre and University Dance Company, and received a Certificate of Merit from the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts for choreography on the production of “She Loves Me” at West Chester University.
Olivia is a company member of the Andrea Mychaels Dance Project, Labyrinth Dance Company and Long2 Dance Company. She has also been a character and parade performer at Sesame Place during holiday seasons. In addition to performing, Olivia is an acclaimed area choreographer with engagements in productions at Abington High School as well as productions at The Player's Club of Swarthmore and Limelight Performing Arts Center. She has been teaching throughout the Delaware Valley for over seven years – incorporating yoga, improvisation, and theatrics into her class repertoire. Olivia enjoys sharing her skills and knowledge and believes the arts are a vital component of growth and learning for students of all ages.
Kaitlin Jackson (Dance) grew up in Garnet Valley, PA and studied at the Anna Marie Dance Studio. She graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2013 with a BA in Dance (concentration: Dance Education) and Business Administration. While attending Muhlenberg, she was a member of Dance Max Moving Company & the Muhlenberg Dance Association and performed in numerous dance shows each year. After graduation, Kaitlin had the amazing opportunity to work for the Walt Disney Company. She has taught dance classes for over 10 years with a specialization in Preschool Dance and has ran operations for local dance studios for 5 years. She strives to create a safe environment and a strong community in her dance class, so that her students can experience an expressive outlet and learn life lessons through movement. She hopes to foster creativity, happiness and an appreciation for the arts in each of her dancers!