Ms. Darla began studying dance in Los Angeles, Ca. in 1961. She received her Cecchetti ballet training with Mona Francis School of Ballet studying under Lucille McClure, one of the founders of the Cecchetti Council of the U.S.A. Her early jazz and tap training was with Dennis Wayne Day, one of the original Disney Mouseketeers and many other teachers and performers in the Los Angeles area.  She became an assistant teacher while receiving her fine arts degree at Cerritos College and while attending Cal. State University of Long Beach.   Darla opened her first dance school in Orange County Ca. in 1989 teaching ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom.  She also taught 'Ballet on Ice" for Junior Olympic ice skaters in Orange County.  Several of Ms. Darla's students have gone on to dance professionally in Los Angeles, New York and throughout the world.  Many have become dance teachers themselves.

Darla currently serves as choreographer for Storyteller Productions and is a member of the production team. She served as Assistant Director for the 2016 production of White Christmas.

Since locating in North Georgia she has choreographed stage productions including Seussical the Musical, Goodnight Moon, Pippin, Fiddler on the Roof, Babes in Toyland, It's A Wonderful Life, Annie, Narnia, White Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and Little Women. She is truly grateful for all the opportunities that Storyteller Productions, The Colonnade Players and other production groups in the area have given her; allowing her to be a part of this wonderful theater life, family and friends. 

She currently owns The Tempo Dance Center LLC located in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. A beautiful space is under construction for a new location that will include The Tempo Dancewear Store located in Ringgold Ga. The studio will bring classes including dance, tumbling, musical theater, vocal training, painting and other visual arts to the community soon.

Let them praise His name with dancing Psalm 149:3