Dara Johnson was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, and began her dance training at the age of five at the Academy of Dance in Westport, Connecticut, with Paula Fichtenkort and Theodore Pollen. At age 12 she began studying at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. While at SAB, Ms. Johnson also studied at Studio Maestro with Deborah Wingert. In October of 2000, Ms. Johnson became an apprentice with New York City Ballet and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in October 2001.

In addition, Ms. Johnson appeared in a television commercial with Suki Schorer.