Valerie Gooding, hails from the Torresdale area of Philadelphia, where she began her career at the Defino Sisters' School of Dance & Dramatics, and the elite Jay Dash Teacher Certification Program. She attended the Pennsylvania Ballet & The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet (Vaganova Syllabus) and many in depth classes and extensive seminars with well known teachers from PA, New York and DE. Her background is extensive in all styles of dance, which offers students at the Academy a well rounded curriculum. This enhances the benefits of each student to train as a more versatile and valuable dancer.

She holds a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre Arts and Ballet from the Dance Educators of America at Western Kentucky University. She has studied under Henry Danton of the Sadler Wells Ballet in London, Bob Zeigler and Skip Randal, professional tap instructors and Ron Kellum (Fosse Technique) professional dancer touring with Fosse Shows, to name a few of the many professional dancers and world renown instructors.

Valerie is a master choreographer and producer and has staged years of outstanding Broadway reproductions to include "Fiddler On The Roof", "Oliver", the "Nutcracker", and a myriad of local productions. She has competed, won many awards, danced and performed in New York, California, Europe, Florida, Washington DC, Las Vegas, North Carolina, and Wilmington.

In addition to directing her own studios since 1978, Valerie has taught for New Castle County, Red Clay School District, private schools and many organizations.

Valerie constantly keeps connected to the latest, cutting edge styles and choreography by attending classes and seminars in New York, Philadelphia and Las Vegas. She has judged several dance competitions and is in great demand due to her skill, well rounded education and professionalism.

Because he was a "weak, frail child," Mr. Goncharov's mother encouraged him tp participate in sports and dance to build his strength. In 1974 at the age of 11, he successfully competed with fourty other applicants for one opening in the Kieu Ballet School. After graduation in 1982, five different companies offered him positions, but he chose the Donetsk Ballet to be closer to his parents' home. As a principal dancer with the Donetsk Opera and ballet Theater from 1982 to 1992, Valery toured the United States four times, danced at the Nervi International Ballet Festival in Genoa, Italy, and completed numerous tours of Europe. He was also the medal of honor winner at the Ukrainian International Ballet competition. In 1991, while on a U.S. tour, he defected to America and eventually brought his wife Irena and two children, Dimitri and Jenya from the Ukraine.

Andrei studied in Russia at the famous Vaganova Academy School of Dance and performed in the world renowned Kirov Ballet. He has performed operas and ballets at the Academy opera and danced solos with the New Jersey Ballet Company. He was formerly a performer for the world class Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware. He has impeccable teaching skills, equal to his excellent performances, enhanced dramatically by being a direct recipient of the Vaganova Academy teaching expertise. He has been teaching at NCDA for over eight years and brings an enormous wealth of knowledge with a very pleasant and professional attitude. He has choreographed and professionally performed in the ballet Elite of Delaware's "Nutcracker" production for the past five years, receiving rave reviews. He performs at several other local Nutcracker productions, such as Longwood Gardens and West Chester University. His students have won scholarships and auditions to universities and intensives.

Jessica has served as a General Music Teacher with the MOT Charter School, the Newark Charter School and the Sanford School. Jessica's educational background includes a Bachelor's of Arts in Music from Barnard College, Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis, where she has earned a MM in Vocal Performance. She has also attended the American Institute of Musical Studies in Austria. Her performances include Brahm's Requiem, Strauss' Wiener Blut, Flotow's Martha, and Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, with companies such as Capitol Hill Choral, Opera Delaware, Concert Opera Philadelphia, the Savoy Company, and the Liederkranz Opera.

Donna moved to DE from Chicago where she was doing film and commercial work, in addition to choreographing and performing in the Chicago professional theatre and dance circuit. Some of these credits include choreographer for Barry Memorial Theatre’s Godspell, dancer and soloist with Fox River Dance, Chamber Dance, Actress in Second City’s Studio Theatre’s production, and lead dancer/singer with the Royal Viking Cruiselines tour to Europe and Russia. Donna also performed with Freedom theatre, and performed and choreographed for the Liturgical Dance Concert at the Athaneum theatre in Chicago Regional dinner theatre and summer stock credits include: Cassie in a Chorus Line, also played Sheila in A Chorus Line, Featured Dancer in Brigadoon, Principal in Jerry’s Girls, Soloist with the Ithaca Ballet in NY, and was dance captain for a Chorus Line. Donna also led a summer intensive performance for Delaware Dance and was guest artist for Mid Atlantic Ballet’s Workshop. Donna’s training incudes: Hubbard Street Dance, Chicago, Ruth Page Dance, Boston Ballet, Ithaca Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet. Donna was judge for the USA National Youth Ballet competition, held in Chicago, and currently continues to serve for NJ’s Teen Dance Festival as critic/judge for the competitions. Donna currently studies at Steps Studios and Broadway Dance in NewYork City. She currently choreographs and performs with Covenant Fellowship Players, in Bear, and has appreared in her church’s productions of “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” Donna is also a certified personal trainer and certified group fitness, and pilates mat instructor, and has earned her BFA in Acting/Directing at Northern KY University and a Masters Degree at Loyola University Chicago in clinicial social work. She greatly enjoys her husband, friends and her work.

Kevin comes to us with over 25 years of teaching and performing experience. He was classically trained on the piano from the age of five working with many concert pianists and in major conservatory’s across the country. He then taught piano at Foothill College and sang with the nationally renowned Foothill Choir and Fanfares (Vocal Jazz) under Phil Mattson, completing a Degree in Music education. Subsequently Kevin majored in Classical piano at the University of Oregon studying with Victor Steinhart. This is where he developed a passion for improvisation and Jazz piano and began playing this type of music professionally. Teaching all types of music and teaching techniques his versatility can help people of all ages and backgrounds to achieve their goals in music whatever they may be.

Danielle has been a dancer at NCDA since the age of five and has studied under Valerie Gooding, Andrei Govorov and Heather Pate. She was one of the original company members of Diamond Cut Dancers. She won many awards to match her graceful and polished style. She is a company member of the newly established “Ballet Elite of Delaware” dance company and has performed in the Nutcracker for the past four years. In December 2003, Danielle received the lead role as “Clara” performing on Pointe and working with outstanding professional dancers. Danielle has been a Teachers Assistant for the past five years and was a substitute teacher last year. The students love Danielle.

Heather received her training at NCDA, Koresh Dance Center in Philadelphia, and has traveled to many dance workshops to attend master classes with Pamela Bowling, Ray Leeper, Karen Hebert, Nan Giordano, Charles Kelly, Al Gilbert, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Tatjainna Smith, Steve Sirico and Raymond Lukens just to name a few. She has also taken from Travis Wall and Ivan Koumaev whom are both from “So You Think You Can Dance”. She received her certification from the Dance Educators of America Teacher Training Courses for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern and gymnastics, at the University of Nevada . She has won many competitions herself and was Captain for the cheering squad at AI DuPont High School. She has performed extensively as a back up dancer for two upcoming vocalists, Disney World, New York , the Delaware Arts Festival, and the Grand Opera House. Her students consistently win First Place Trophies, Platinum, Elite Gold medals, High Score awards, and are consistantly invited to elite workshops at Starpower and many other competitions along the east coast. She has also won special judges’ awards, including a Creativity Award. Her dance team won at the Peach Festival in 2003, received First Place at the 2004 and 2005 Delaware City Parade, and First Place at the Middletown Christmas Parade. in 2008 and 2009 her dance team was selected for “ Battle of the stars” , where they were broadcast live over the Internet and she received two teacher excellence awards. Most recently she won choreography award for her impeccable style of dance. In 2010 the team was selected to perform with "Stars At Sea",where they performed two shows on a world reknown stage through Royal Carribean. Her Dance Team is on its 11th season with many more to come. Her commitment and encouragement to the students allow them to develop technique rapidly and efficiently. She attends classes in Philadelphia , Miami , and New York to give the students the hottest moves. Heather has been teaching innovative technique for over fifteen years.

Alex has over 20 years experience in teaching bass and guitar in many different skill levels. His instruction philosophy is to build a foundation of a good practice regimen, promote positive thinking and determination,and foster an appreciation of all musical styles through an understanding of music theory, composition, arrangement, and music history. He has performed for Pope John paul II at Central Park, worked six months at Disney's EPCOT Center, opened for such acts as Placido Domingo, Roberta Flack, Blues Travelers, the B-52's, Neville Brothers, and Neil Diamond. He was also invited to perform at the inauguration of president Clinton in 1996.

Iris has over 12 years competitive coaching experience, and over 14 years pre-school instructional experience. She is USA certified and has coached at such notable schools as the Olympiad, Diamond and NCC Parks & Recreation. Her animated and warm personality is contagious.

Katharine is currently an Apprentice with the First State Ballet Theatre for the 2009-2010 season. She also performed with the Dance Corp of 7 from the Theatre West Virginia, Rapture with Willie Hinton, Charlottesville Ballet/Ma’at Ensemble with Ariadne Connor and the Richmond Ballet. She has received her education from Virginia Commonwealth University, BFA Dance and Choreography, Harrisburg Area Community College and SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Katharine has trained with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for 13 years, The Rock School Summer Program and CPYB Choreoplan, where she learned new guest choreography in a week and then performed. She has had prior teaching experience with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Latin Ballet.