MEET THE CO-FOUNDER
Dara J. Meredith
M.F.A
Co-Founder | Choreographer | Educator | Director
"Changing the world one Movement at a time."
-- Dara J. Meredith, M.F.A.
HER STORY
A Life Built on Movement
Dara J. Meredith is an Atlanta native and self-proclaimed artivist whose work as a performing artist, choreographer, director, educator, and community advocate has earned her national and international recognition. She began her training under Dawn and Terrie “Ajile” Axam before earning her B.F.A. in Dance Performance/Education from the University of the Arts, where she received the Stella Moore Award, and later her M.F.A. in Dance Choreography from Temple University, where she was honored with the Rose Vernick Choreographic Achievement Award.
Her extensive performance career includes touring with Total Dance Theater in Senegal, West Africa, Sonia Sanchez’s Living Legends tour, appearing with Brian Sanders’ JUNK, performing in musicals Black Nativity, Body Snatchers, and Waheed Works. For two decades, Dara was Assistant Artistic Director, Principal Dancer, and Rehearsal Director for Eleone Dance Theatre.
As an educator, Dara currently serves as Dance Department Director at West Philadelphia High School and Adjunct Professor at Temple and Drexel Universities. She wrote the curriculum for the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Dance Chance Program, made her directorial debut with In the Heights in 2023, and as co-founder of Core Artistry Collective remains devoted to changing the world one Movement at a time.
Her Story"Changing the world one Movement at a time."
-- Dara J. Meredith, M.F.A.
A Life Built on Movement
Dara J. Meredith is an Atlanta native and self-proclaimed artivist whose work as a performing artist, choreographer, director, educator, and community advocate has earned her national and international recognition. She began her training under Dawn and Terrie "Ajile" Axam before earning her B.F.A. in Dance Performance/Education from the University of the Arts, where she received the Stella Moore Award, and later her M.F.A. in Dance Choreography from Temple University, where she was honored with the Rose Vernick Choreographic Achievement Award.
Her extensive performance career includes touring with Total Dance Theater in Senegal, West Africa, Sonia Sanchez's Living Legends tour, appearing with Brian Sanders' JUNK, performing in musicals Black Nativity, Body Snatchers, and Waheed Works. For two decades, Dara was Assistant Artistic Director, Principal Dancer, and Rehearsal Director for Eleone Dance Theatre.
As an educator, Dara currently serves as Dance Department Director at West Philadelphia High School and Adjunct Professor at Temple and Drexel Universities. She wrote the curriculum for the Pennsylvania Ballet's Dance Chance Program, made her directorial debut with In the Heights in 2023, and as co-founder of Core Artistry Collective remains devoted to changing the world one Movement at a time.
Career Highlights
- M.F.A. Dance Choreography, Temple University
- Rose Vernick Choreographic Achievement Award
- B.F.A. University of the Arts
- Stella Moore Award
- 20 yrs Principal Dancer, Eleone Dance Theatre
- Assistant Artistic Director, Eleone Dance Theatre
- Choreographed for Danity Kane
- Toured Senegal, West Africa with Total Dance Theater
- Sonia Sanchez Living Legends tour
- Brian Sanders JUNK
- Black Nativity, Body Snatchers, Waheed Works
- Choreographed for Deeply Rooted
- Dance Dept. Director, West Philadelphia High School
- 15 yrs Choreographer, Philadelphia CAPA High School
- Directed In the Heights, 2023
- Adjunct Professor, Temple & Drexel Universities
- PA Ballet Dance Chance Program curriculum writer
- Certified: Umfundalai & Progressing Ballet
- DCNS Summer Dance Intensive, 20 yrs
Awards & Honors
Meet the Team
Learn more about the vision, the people, and the movement behind Core Artistry Collective.
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