[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     IN RECOGNITION OF DARLA HOOVER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2021

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay 
tribute to Darla Hoover for her commitment to performing and educating, 
on the occasion of her 60th birthday. Ms. Hoover was a member of New 
York City Ballet (NYCB) from 1980-1991. Following her retirement from 
NYCB, Ms. Hoover began a distinguished career as a ballet teacher and 
repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust. For over 25 years, she has 
served as Artistic Director of Ballet Academy East (BAE) on the Upper 
East Side of Manhattan. In 2019 she was named Artistic Director of 
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Hoover celebrates her 60th 
birthday on May 31 of this year.
  Darla Hoover trained at the renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth 
Ballet before moving to New York City to attend the School of American 
Ballet when she was 15 years old. In 1980, after choreographing a solo 
for her in the New York City Opera production of Le Bourgeois 
Gentilhomme, George Balanchine chose her to become a member of NYCB.
  As a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, Ms. Hoover has 
traveled the globe faithfully teaching the legendary choreographer's 
most celebrated works. She has done this work at some of the most 
prestigious ballet institutions in the world. Ms. Hoover has staged 
Balanchine ballets for The Royal Danish Ballet, American Ballet 
Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, New National Theatre Tokyo, Dance Theatre of 
Harlem and the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg Russia. This 
performance marked the first time the Vaganova Ballet Academy had ever 
performed a work by Mr. Balanchine.
  As Artistic Director of BAE, Ms. Hoover has--alongside Executive 
Director Julia Dubno--developed it into one of the most renowned ballet 
schools in the country. Alumni have become professional dancers in 
ballet companies around the world, including NYCB, American Ballet 
Theater, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. The BAE faculty includes world-
renowned current and former dancers, and its performances have been 
praised by publications such as The New York Times.
  Ms. Hoover has been recognized as one of the best ballet teachers in 
the country. She directs a nationally recognized Teachers Workshop, in 
which she teaches fellow dance educators on the syllabus and 
methodologies developed by the late Marcia Dale Weary, under whom she 
studied. Ms. Hoover has been invited to share her successful techniques 
at some of the Nation's premiere ballet programs, including Boston 
Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Miami City Ballet.
  Ms. Hoover has made a significant public contribution to American 
ballet as a teacher and mentor to young dancers. Her investment in the 
personal success and well-being of her students has positively impacted 
countless children and adolescents in ways that reach far beyond 
ballet. She regularly forms close relationships with her students, who 
remain her ``kids'' even after they move on to pursue professional 
careers.
  Ms. Hoovers dedication to her students and ballet is truly 
inspirational. The profound connection and skillful instruction Ms. 
Hoover provides countless young dancers demonstrate both her brilliance 
and the importance of arts education.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
accomplishments of Darla Hoover and expressing appreciation for her 
dedication to the betterment of her students, the arts, and community.

                          ____________________