Dara Hankins is a bold, innovative artist with a social conscience. She believes in promoting equity through music and is an advocate for social justice. Based in both New York and Virginia she has performed nationally and internationally with renowned artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Kirk Whalum, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Lalah Hathaway and many others. Dara is active as an orchestral musician, soloist, chamber musician, and teaching artist. She welcomes collaboration with artists from diverse disciplines. Dara has performed both on Broadway and Off-Broadway and she held the Cello Chair for the Tony Award-winning musical SUFFS (closed 2025).

Dara is currently the Artistic Operations Manager for the Planetary Music Movement (PMM) at Groupmuse and ahe supports musicians by helping to organize concerts to amplify the artistry of musicians.

Dara enjoys sharing her love of music through teaching cello and maintains a studio online and in-person.

Ms. Hankins earned her Bachelor of Music degree from New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. She went on to earn her Master of Music degree from Manhattan School Of Music in New York City.