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OUR STAFF

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

TRAINED TO TEACH WITH EXCELLENCE

At the academy, each teacher is selected with each student’s best interest in mind.

Quality instruction and technique are our No. 1 priority.

Valerie Gooding

Valerie Gooding

Founder and CEO

<a href=Valerie Gooding began her dance training with an instructor from the Pennsylvania Ballet. She has performed in numerous productions and competitions, traveling throughout the United States and abroad. She was educated at many world-renowned schools in all styles of dance, including Gus Giordano, Fosse, Al Gilbert, Vaganova Syllabus under Henry Danton from the Sadler Wells Ballet and from Pennsylvania Academy of Dance in Media and Swarthmore, Pa.

Valerie earned her master’s degree in musical theater arts and ballet arts from the Dance Educators of America at Western Kentucky University and University of Las Vegas. Valerie has performed extensively along the East Coast, conducts demonstrations in elementary schools and judges dance competitions for New Jersey Arts Alliance High School.

Valerie’s experience working with professionals while staging and choreographing shows is marked by her attention to detail. Valerie’s trademark is a myriad of local productions, Broadway productions, “The Nutcracker” and extraordinary annual performances that receive rave reviews.

target="_blank" style="text-decoration: underline">Valerie Gooding began her dance training with an instructor from the Pennsylvania Ballet. She has performed in numerous productions and competitions, traveling throughout the United States and abroad. She was educated at many world-renowned schools in all styles of dance, including Gus Giordano, Fosse, Al Gilbert, Vaganova Syllabus under Henry Danton from the Sadler Wells Ballet and from Pennsylvania Academy of Dance in Media and Swarthmore, Pa.

Valerie earned her master’s degree in musical theater arts and ballet arts from the Dance Educators of America at Western Kentucky University and University of Las Vegas. Valerie has performed extensively along the East Coast, conducts demonstrations in elementary schools and judges dance competitions for New Jersey Arts Alliance High School.

Valerie’s experience working with professionals while staging and choreographing shows is marked by her attention to detail. Valerie’s trademark is a myriad of local productions, Broadway productions, “The Nutcracker” and extraordinary annual performances that receive rave reviews.

Ashley Rainey

Ashley Rainey

Lead Instructor and Choreographer

Stacy Runkle

Stacy Runkle

Lead Cheer and Tumble Instructor

Andrei Govorov

Andrei Govorov

Master Teacher

Ivy Santiago

Ivy Santiago

Assistant Teacher and Administrative Assistant

Dana Parkinson

Dana Parkinson

VP of Opperations

Heather Meginniss

Heather Meginniss

VP of Performing Arts

<a href=Heather Meginniss is a pioneer in the dance industry and has been for the past twenty-five years. Heather’s credentials include choreographer, director, adjudicator, instructor, NBA Jr dance coach, and costume designer.  Heather has been dancing since the age of three. She trained with New Castle Dance Academy and Koresh Dance Center. Heather competed and attended workshops and competitions as a young dancer. She was selected and a standout for her incredible turnout.

Heather is certified through UNLV and DEA in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Acrobatics. She has trained under many iconic master teachers such as Pamela Bowling, Ray Leeper, Karen Hebert, Nan Giordano, Charles Kelly, Al Gilbert, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Tatjainna Smith, Steve Sirico, and Raymond Lukens.

Heather loves to push herself to become the best instructor and choreographer she can be. In 2000, Heather started the NCDA competition team. Heather’s ambition and passion for dance has inspired many students to consistently be recognized and awarded for college scholarships, invites to Power Pak, AMDA, Dance Force, Discovery Spotlight, and Joffrey Ballet.  Heather’s students have moved on to become Broadway Performers in Tina & West side story, Sixers NBA Cheerleaders, College dancers at Temple and University of DE, TV and Music Video actresses, to name a few. 

The NCDA Team celebrates its 24rd award-winning season. Heather has directed the team to become regionally and nationally ranked, winning over 2,500 awards, hundreds of high score awards, Premier and Victory Cup Champions, Power rankings, and more.  Her routines are recognized for awards such as outstanding technique in Jazz and lyrical, along with countless Choreography and Entertainment awards. Proudly, she received the Choreography Achievement Award presented by Lifetime Television Network and Dance Moms, Choreographer of the Year 2019 and SDA’s is in the Circle of Excellence for the last 10 years. 

Heather’s professional career started as a backup dancer in the 90s. She has choreographed for Realize Records on a Thriller film called “Days of Power” featuring Eric Roberts, along with the music video “Fire”. Heather has been Judging for Star Dance Alliance since 2017. Heather co-choreographed a line dance with Nicolette Pate for a Country music artist and Entertainer of the Year, Jimmy Charles’ new hit song “Country Up”. Most recently, Heather entered her 2nd year as Regional Director for Believe National Talent.

Heather has a Degree in Applied Science with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. She graduated Cum Laude and was inducted into the Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Society for future entrepreneurs. In October of 2019, Heather launched her dancewear company, this was a dream come true for her. Heather’s attire company, Chique Designs, is sold online and in boutiques across the country.

Heather is honored and excited to share her passion for dance with your child!

target="_blank" style="text-decoration: underline">Heather Meginniss is a pioneer in the dance industry and has been for the past twenty-five years. Heather’s credentials include choreographer, director, adjudicator, instructor, NBA Jr dance coach, and costume designer.  Heather has been dancing since the age of three. She trained with New Castle Dance Academy and Koresh Dance Center. Heather competed and attended workshops and competitions as a young dancer. She was selected and a standout for her incredible turnout.

Heather is certified through UNLV and DEA in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Acrobatics. She has trained under many iconic master teachers such as Pamela Bowling, Ray Leeper, Karen Hebert, Nan Giordano, Charles Kelly, Al Gilbert, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Tatjainna Smith, Steve Sirico, and Raymond Lukens.

Heather loves to push herself to become the best instructor and choreographer she can be. In 2000, Heather started the NCDA competition team. Heather’s ambition and passion for dance has inspired many students to consistently be recognized and awarded for college scholarships, invites to Power Pak, AMDA, Dance Force, Discovery Spotlight, and Joffrey Ballet.  Heather’s students have moved on to become Broadway Performers in Tina & West side story, Sixers NBA Cheerleaders, College dancers at Temple and University of DE, TV and Music Video actresses, to name a few. 

The NCDA Team celebrates its 24rd award-winning season. Heather has directed the team to become regionally and nationally ranked, winning over 2,500 awards, hundreds of high score awards, Premier and Victory Cup Champions, Power rankings, and more.  Her routines are recognized for awards such as outstanding technique in Jazz and lyrical, along with countless Choreography and Entertainment awards. Proudly, she received the Choreography Achievement Award presented by Lifetime Television Network and Dance Moms, Choreographer of the Year 2019 and SDA’s is in the Circle of Excellence for the last 10 years. 

Heather’s professional career started as a backup dancer in the 90s. She has choreographed for Realize Records on a Thriller film called “Days of Power” featuring Eric Roberts, along with the music video “Fire”. Heather has been Judging for Star Dance Alliance since 2017. Heather co-choreographed a line dance with Nicolette Pate for a Country music artist and Entertainer of the Year, Jimmy Charles’ new hit song “Country Up”. Most recently, Heather entered her 2nd year as Regional Director for Believe National Talent.

Heather has a Degree in Applied Science with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. She graduated Cum Laude and was inducted into the Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Society for future entrepreneurs. In October of 2019, Heather launched her dancewear company, this was a dream come true for her. Heather’s attire company, Chique Designs, is sold online and in boutiques across the country.

Heather is honored and excited to share her passion for dance with your child!

Donna Huntington

Donna Huntington

Lead Ballet Instructor

Mary Tait

Mary Tait

Music Instrucror

Sophia Castaldi

Sophia Castaldi

Master Teacher

Rose Santiago

Rose Santiago

Customer Service Associate

Cindy Fletcher

Cindy Fletcher

Zumba Instructor

Dawn O’Hanlon

Dawn O’Hanlon

Lead Instructor and Costume Coordinator

Nicolette Pate

Nicolette Pate

Lead Instructor Camp Director

Val Goncharov

Val Goncharov

Master Ballet Instructor

Lauren Minter

Lauren Minter

Office Manager

Sandra Mutshler

Sandra Mutshler

Customer Service Associate

Natalia Alfaro

Natalia Alfaro

Zumba Instructor

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