Darla Hoover, Former NYCB Dancer — On Balanchine and the Art of Teaching | Pushing Over the Box
About this episode
Darla Hoover discusses her journey as a dancer and teacher, sharing insights on Balanchine and the importance of teaching beyond technique.
Darla Hoover started dancing in a barn. Her teacher took one look at her and told her parents: "You need to save your money — she's going to end up in New York." She did. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Darla Hoover — former New York City Ballet dancer, syllabus coordinator at Ballet Academy East, and one of ballet's most respected teachers and répétiteurs. They talk about growing up under the legendary Marcia Dale Weary, navigating homesickness at the School of American Ballet, what it was like to dance for Balanchine, the panic of performing Serenade when you don't know when the flick happens, and why Darla believes the most important thing she can pass on to her students has nothing to do with technique. Darla was honored in 2021 with a congressional commendation for her dedication to arts and education and with the Marcia Dale Weary Legacy Award. TIMESTAMPS: [01:08] How Darla Started Dancing — and Marcia Dale Weary's Prophecy [13:00] The Serenade Panic Story [22:33] Balancing Perfectionism in Dance ABOUT THE GUEST: Darla Hoover is a former principal dancer with New York City Ballet and currently serves as syllabus coordinator at Ballet…
People in this episode
Host: Jasmine Jain
Guest: Darla Hoover
Topics covered
- ballet
- dance education
- performing arts
- Balanchine
- teaching methods
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: New York City Ballet, Ballet Academy East
Books & works: Serenade, Rubies, A Midsummer Night's Dream
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