Dara J Meredith, an Atlanta native who trained under the direction of Dawn and Terrie “Ajile” Axam, received her B.F.A. in Dance at the University of the Arts, and was a recipient of the highest honored Stella Moore Award.
She received her M.F.A. at Temple University and was awarded the Rose Vernick Choreographic Achievement Award. Dara has had an extensive performance career touring with Total Dance Theater in Senegal, West Africa, Brian Sanders’ “Junk”, “Black Nativity”, and Sonia Sanchez’ “Living Legends” tour. She is the Assistant Artistic Director, Principal dancer, Choreographer, and Rehearsal Director for Eleone Dance Theatre, and has also choreographed for Bad Boy’s “Danity Kane”, Grace Dance Theater, and CAPA of Philadelphia musicals. Dara co-founded DCNS Dance Intensive and has taught and choreographed for West Chester University, Drexel University, Temple University, University of the Arts, and Pennsylvania State College. She received a “Best Choreography Award” from National Dance Showcase, Philly Fringe Festival’s “Rocky Award”, the “Ellen Foreman Memorial Award” from Drexel University, the “E Award” from Eleone Dance Theatre, and the “Audience Choice Award” for the highly competitive International Dance Festival in Stuttgart, Germany. She served as the Creative Director and Director for “Carols in Color” on film. She produced and choreographed her highly acclaimed mental illness show, “Beneath the Surface”, dedicated to shedding light on mental illness. In 2020 Dara was commissioned by the Delaware Art Museum to create, “The Bridge of Our Roots”, her own full-length evening choreographic response, to celebrated painter, Eldzier Cortor’s “Southern Souvenir No. II”. Dara is currently an Adjunct Faculty member at Drexel University, Temple University, and a full-time dance educator in the Philadelphia Public School System. She has a Professional Certification in the contemporary African, Umfundalai Technique, is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, and had the opportunity to write and implement the dance curriculum for the Philadelphia Ballet’s Dance Chance Program. She is a proud wife and mother of 3!
