Dr. Darla S. Hanley, Professor of Music Education at Berklee College of Music, holds a PhD and MM in Music Education Research (Temple University) and a BM in Music Education/Vocal Performance (University of Massachusetts-Lowell). Prior to joining the faculty at Berklee (fall 2023), Darla served as Dean of the Professional Education at Berklee for 16 years—and before that she served as an Associate Dean, Professor of Music Education, and Director of the Shenandoah Singers at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA.

Darla is an experienced PK-12 music educator and arts leader who specializes in jazz and popular music education, creative movement, teacher education, and administration. She has experience with Warner Bros., Spotify, Country Music Association, United Sound, Jazz Education Network, Arts Schools Network, and NAFME, to mention examples.

Darla has presented in nearly all 50 USA states and often works with teachers and students around the world. Recent presentations include the Association for Music in International Schools Conference (Croatia), Texas Music Educators Association Conference (San Antonio, TX), Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago, IL), Orange County Public Schools (Orlando, FL), Boston Public Schools (Boston, MA), New York City Department of Education (New York, NY), California State University (Northridge, CA), Jazz Education Network Conference (Orlando, FL), Emory and Henry College (Emory, VA), Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, PA), International Congress for Education (Peru), Hong Kong Baptist University (Hong Kong), Tartu University (Estonia), Liceu Conservatory (Spain), and SXSW.edu (Austin, TX).

Darla is a published author with Berklee Press/Hal Leonard, Warner Bros., Alfred, Jossey-Bass, GIA, Johns Hopkins University Press, and MENC, among others. Most recently she is co-author of “Jazz is Elementary: Creativity Development Through Music Activities, Movement Games, and Dances, for K-5” with Allison Kipp (foreword by Victor Wooten)--Berklee Press/Hal Leonard (2022).