OUR STAFF

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 has been dancing since the age of 3 and started her dance training at Delaware Dance Company. She then went on to train at Encore Dance Academy & with many well trained faculty at Dean College. Throughout her college experience, Ashley has not only been a part of dance shows but was the president of the Dean College Step Team, performed at Gillette Stadium for the Patriots home opener in 2017 & was a part of musical theater performances. Ashley graduated from Dean College with a BA in Dance as well as studying business for a minor. She received her Masters Degree in School Counseling in Summer of 2024. Ashley is trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap, modern, creative movement, Broadway, & ballroom. Her passion is dance and working with kids. Ashley has been with NCDA since 2018 and has proven to be an asset to our team. Her students love her kind and nurturing demeanor.

We’re delighted to welcome Miss Stacy back to NCDA. Stacy began her dance career at NCDMA at four years old in all styles of dance.  She was a member of NCDMA’s Dancesations Performing Group and was selected to perform at the Galaxy Palace Theatre in Disney World. Miss Stacy was cast as the lead performer of “Clara” for our Ballet Company, Ballet Elite of Delaware performing the Russian version of The Nutcracker. Miss Stacy received a scholarship to Wilmington University for Cheerleading and won the College National Championship.  She is currently the assistant coach at Wilmington University and during that time the cheer team has won 8 National Championships.  Following in her footsteps, her 8-year-old daughter has been at the academy since she was 20 months old and is a member of our competitive dance team. Miss Stacy is an enthusiastic elementary teacher at MOT Charter, and it is evident in her teaching methods, where she brings structure and joy to all her students.

Andrei studied in Russia at the 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 a performer for the world-class Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware. He has taught at NCDMA for more than eight years. 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 in several other local “Nutcracker” productions, such as Longwood Gardens and West Chester University. His students have won scholarships and auditions to universities and intensives.

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 25th 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, proudly was the Regional Director for Believe National Talent in 2023 & 2024. 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, LLC. is sold online and in boutiques across the country. Heather is honored and excited to share her passion for dance with your child!

Donna Von Lehmen Huntington studied with the Boston and Cincinnati Ballet, studied Vaganova technique, and performed as lead dancer/singer on the Royal Viking Norwegian Cruise Ship across Western Europe. She was featured as Winter Fairy in Cinderella with the Ithaca Ballet, NY. She served as a judge for the USA National Youth Competition with Dmitri Roudnev in Chicago. Donna also served as a choreographer for dinner theaters and summer stock theaters across the country and performed roles such as Cassie and Sheila in Chorus Line. She performed as a soloist at the Athaneum Theatre in Chicago, performed in Heartstrings at the Chicago Theatre, danced with Fox River Dance, and taught at studios on the west side of the city. Donna also taught at New Castle Dance Academy for several years. She is now a teacher and trainer and also has a career as a medical social worker. Donna is excited to work with the students at New Castle Dance Academy for a master class!

Mary sang her first concert solo in kindergarten and has been excited about music ever since. She’s performed in a variety of musicals, band, chorus, and jazz ensembles, learned several musical instruments, and in her senior year of high school performed in Pennsylvania’s regional orchestra and all state band as a 2nd chair bassoonist. She went on to major in music as a bassoonist at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (“IUP”), working as the band secretary for several years and performing in many vocal and instrumental ensembles, as well as marching trumpet and cymbals with the IUP Marching Band. Mary had the privilege to study under bassoonist Dr. David Borst, march and work for Dr. Charles Casavant for marching band, and take classes and perform in ensembles for Dr. Jack Stamp, world renowned composer and conductor, among others. She is an alumni member and former Vice-President of Delta Omicron, a co-ed music fraternity, and several other music groups. Following IUP, Mary went on to work with Norfolk State University’s music department in Virginia as the chairman’s executive assistant, coordinating student recruitment and registration, general music classes, private lessons, supporting individual professors and assisting the marching band with touring, recruiting and other band secretary responsibilities. Mary obtained an associate’s degree in paralegal studies and has been working as a corporate litigation paralegal for approximately 20 years. To continue spreading the love of music and education, Mary enjoys teaching private lessons, singing in Wilmington’s Center City Chorale, and singing/performing with local cover bands in the Tri-State area.

Sophia received her early training in Downingtown, Pa., with Donna Muzio and the Brandywine Ballet. She studied under Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center, Patricia McBride at Chautauqua, and attended the School of American Ballet in New York on a full scholarship. She is a 1998 National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts award recipient and also SAB’s 1998 Princess Grace Nominee. After receiving a Dance Honorarium Award from the Princess Grace Foundation, she danced with the Miami City Ballet from 1998 through 2002. Sophia has taught at the academy’s Russian ballet intensive camp and performed in our production of “The Nutcracker.”

Dawn began her studies at age 4 in her native New Jersey. She was taught by Joan Holmes, who opened a studio after training at Vaganova Choreographic Institute and performing with the Kirov Ballet for many years. From an early age, Dawn ‘s studies emphasized learning the Vaganova method of ballet, classical ballet terminology and attention to technique, specifically turnout and turns. She has attended workshops in New York, Philadelphia, Walt Disney World and ITDI (NJ Chapter) and taken classes with Laurie Anne Gibson, Chris Judd, Natalya Stravro, Bob Rizzo, Derek Mitchel and Tyce Diorio. As part of being a well-rounded dance student, she learned ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, acro, street jazz, hip-hop, gymnastics and has brought that education and experience to her teaching. Dawn performed early roles as Alice from “Alice in Wonderland” and the Wicked Queen from “Snow White.” She performed and choreographed in Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Royal Caribbean’s Stars at Sea, Six Flags, Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Soul, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, and Boardwalk to the Stars (Wildwood, N.J). Dawn has a charisma to capture the hearts of her students and parents alike. Dawn has been with NCDA for 11 years and counting.

Miss Nicolette Pate has been dancing and competing since she was two years old at NCDA and is the third generation of the family business following in her grandmother’s (Miss Valerie) and mother’s (Miss Heather) dance steps. Miss Nicolette is trained in the Vaganova Syllabus and portrayed Clara in Ballet Elite of DE Russian version of the Nutcracker choreographed by Andrei Govorov, Sophia Govorov and taught by Mr. Val Goncharov. Miss Nicolette is proficient in all styles of dance and was a title champion, performed in a Disney parade on ABC, a film and music video backup dancer for Realize Records, Glamour costume model and performed in Barcelona during the Summer Olympics 2016 as part of Diamond Elite Performing Co. representing the USA. She has been a Starpower “Power Pak” recipient and has won titles too numerous to mention. Most recently, she heads the NCDMA Summer camp programs where she demonstrates her creativity and attention to each student due to her kind rapport. She is a UD Sophomore majoring in communications and looks forward to bringing fresh ideas to NCDMA’ s dance program to include Hip-Hop and lyrical. Look for Miss Nicolette as a backstage manager for Believe National Talent Competition.

Mr. Val has been with NCDA for 15 years. His knowledge and expertise in the Vaganova syllabus is like no other. Val is known for his impeccable role as Drosilmier in The Nutcracker. When Val was a young boy, he was described as a “weak, frail child,”.  Val’s mother encouraged him to participate in sports and dance to build his strength. In 1974, at age 11, he successfully competed against 40 other applicants for one opening in the Kiev Ballet School. After graduation in 1982, five 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, 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 the Medal of Honor winner at the Ukrainian International Ballet competition. In 1991, on a U.S. tour, he defected to America and eventually brought his wife, Irena, and two children, Dimitri and Jenya, from the Ukraine. NCDA is extremely lucky to have such a master of the ballet craft.