Ms. Paulina Pietras grew up in Chicago where she studied at the University of Illinois at Chicago graduating with her BA in Secondary Education in English. Ms. Paulina is also a member of the St. Benedict Preparatory School community where she teaches the Middle School Dance Electives. She continues to be an active member of the Chicago dance community as an 11th generation member of Chicago’s BOOM CRACK DANCE COMPANY under Trae Turner’s artistic direction. This year marks Ms. Paulina’s ninth year teaching with YDA.

Mrs. Sarah Lammie, a Chicago native, began her training on the south side at Kathleen’s Dance Asylum. She studied tap, ballet, jazz, and pointe, and was a competitive dancer through high school with Ms. Yvonne as one of her teachers! She continued her dance training at Knox College, focusing on modern. In high school and after college, Sarah taught at Linda’s Dance Studio, where she learned ballroom, Latin dance, and Mexican Folkloric. She now studies tap with Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin, and preforms with Hōkūleʻa Academy of Polynesian Arts. Sarah currently teaches Kindergarten at Peterson, and choreographs the spring musicals.

Ms. Natalie grew up in Metro Detroit, Michigan. From Breakdance to Ballet, she combines styles to push young artists to explore more through creative movements. She started professionally teaching at the age of thirteen at her home studio in Michigan as well as competing in local competitions throughout high school. She joined Artlab J as a pre-professional company member, training as well as performing with them leading up to college. After shortly attending Columbia College Chicago as a dance major in 2017, she continue training and teaching back in Michigan. Ms. Natalie is excited for her first year with YDA!

Melody Kay Paul is an artist who enjoys many disciplines and exploring new physical challenges. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. Melody actively trains as an investment in her education and betterment growing a larger resource base. She is an active member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM) and Dance Masters of Wisconsin (DMW). Melody is certified in all levels of the Nan Giordano Certification Program (NGCP®). In her third year at YDA she continues spreading the joy of dance.

Elyse Dakin is from Columbus, Ohio. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and pointe, at Marjorie Jones Schools and went on to pursue her BFA in Dance from The Ohio State University. Elyse grew up competing around Ohio and has since trained with world-renowned instructors in all styles, most recently on scholarship at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Elyse began teaching in 2013 after completing her BFA in 2017. Elyse is an active member of Dance Masters of America, Ohio Dance Masters Chapter 16. She is excited to be teaching her third year at YDA!

Callie Luckenbach grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where she received her most formative dance training at Marjorie Jones School of Dance. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Nonprofit Management from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Callie has performed a solo work in Ten Tiny Dances Columbus and her choreography has been commissioned by New Vision Dance Company. As an educator, she believes in the power of dance to foster confidence, community, and creativity. Callie’s excited to begin her third year with YDA!