Darla Hartmann

Prep Academy Advisor

With a degree in Business Education from the University of Washington, Darla began her career as a secondary school teacher, in high school and community college business vocational departments, training students to find employment.

After raising her two children, who are also successful teachers, she became a Consumer Sales and Solutions Consultant for GTE, (later Verizon), awarded numerous accolades for her efforts during 18 years, including many award trips, gifts, and even a car.

After retirement, Darla found her niche in the fabulous community of active seniors at Trilogy Redmond Ridge. She’s been involved and enjoying numerous activities and clubs there, including art, cruise travel, photography, birders, & singing clubs, concerts, bands & dances, choirs, day trips, & much socialization! Her senior ladies’ trio, “The Roundabouts”, entertains in the community for events such as Seattle Children’s Trilogy “Ho Ho Brunch”, as well as venues throughout the area, including retirement homes, senior centers & malls. She also had the privilege of singing with the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall Auditorium, seating 2500...for several years...having the time of her life!

During our current isolation, at age 77, Darla finds that she can still enjoy doing what she loves online, continuing art classes, neighborhood zoom games, sharing photography, entering contests, even participating last summer in a virtual chorus of 17,000 members world-wide with a beautiful production, during the pandemic, of Eric Whitacre’s “Sing Gently” song that topped the charts and is on YouTube, with 1.8M views last year!

Darla follows her passions, enjoys using her talents to the fullest, and remembers her parents’ advice from childhood, “Always do your best!” She’s delighted to participate in the “Expressions” Platform!