Amberlee Darling

Sweatpant-clad Exonians file into the dance studio, their hair tousled and their faces flushed. Dance Instructor Amberlee Darling asks in a chipper voice how they’re doing and what their bodies need today, only to be answered by a chorus of groaning complaints. With a knowing glint in her eye, Darling turns on Pitbull’s “Timber” over the dance studio’s speakers. Instantaneously, the excitement and energy in the room heightens. Everybody, including Darling, bounds into goofy improvisational dance moves before falling in step with the familiar warm-up as music blasts throughout the studio.

Darling can enliven any room with her brilliant choreographys, bright attitude and silly comments. Her dancers always leave the studio a little happier after classes with her.

Prep Anna Rose Marion recalls a particularly dreary day towards the end of winter term when everyone was exhausted and emotions were running high. “She just looked at us and said, ‘I want you to crawl.’ So we just crawled across the floor with the music,” Marion said. “It was hilarious because it was surprisingly really hard, and we were all laughing.”

Darling has always loved dance. Even when she was an infant, her mother recounted memories of her “fluttering” around everywhere they went, occasionally adding a leap and a spin. She was enrolled in her first official dance class at the young age of two and a half. Entranced by the beauty of the performing arts, she continued to pursue her passion for dance, which would become her career.

Before coming to Exeter, Darling already had experience working with both Sarah Duclos and Allison Duke, former and current members of the Exeter Dance Faculty, respectively. In Portsmouth, she had danced for Duclos’ dance company, Neoteric Dance Collaborative, and taught and choreographed dances with Duke for Ballet New England. In 2009, when Duke discovered a dance instructor opening for Exeter’s summer program, she called Darling and encouraged her to apply.

Ever since, Darling and Duke have been actively involved in Exeter’s dance program. Appointed in 2011 as a guest choreographer and masterclass teacher, Darling has worked in a variety of roles in the dance department until officially becoming a part of the dance faculty three years ago.

While officially in the dance program and affiliated with Williams House, Darling also considers herself “as the waver and smiler of the people as [she walks] around.”

Describing her job as “super rewarding,” Darling loves what she does and the students she has worked with. Because of Exeter’s environment, she has also been able to make a unique connection with the students. “I really love being able to be in the lives of my students and coworkers,” Darling said. “I really like the feeling of family that comes from it.”

Darling certainly reinforces this family environment within the dance studio. Throughout Dance Company, she is known for her kindness and empathy. “Whether it be a conversation between the two of us or a full company conversation, she’s always listening so carefully,” said senior Rachel Moberg. “It means a lot to me to know that there’s somebody there who's listening and who cares as much as she does.” First meeting Darling in her prep winter, Moberg was initially hesitant to open up to her. However, Darling’s approachability and willingness to listen made her feel comfortable.

Prep Phoebe Ibbotson experienced a similar situation. After seeing Darling during Experience Exeter last year, she was “amazed” by both Darling’s students and her choreography. Between then and the beginning of the school year, Ibbotson waited for the opportunity to work with Darling. However, she was surprised to learn what she soon admired most about her dance instructor.

“Even with the simplest of problems, she’s always there for you,” she said. “She always supports you in what you want to do, and if you don’t know how to do it, she will help you get to what you want to do.” Apart from Darling’s impressive dance abilities, her support for her students is what Ibbotson has come to admire most.

Through her time here, Darling has also further developed the relationships with her co-workers, especially with Duke. Although they knew each other previously, Duke and Darling continue to strengthen their relationship. Over the past ten years, the two have performed together in many different companies all over New England, including Boston, New York, New Hampshire and Maine.

When asked about her fondest memories of Darling, Duke was unable to choose. “We have too many great memories—in the studio, onstage, backstage or in the director’s seat to list just one,” she said.

Though she has only been at Exeter for three years, Darling has already made a huge impact on the school both in the studio and outside. As Marion put it, “She is a national treasure.”