YDA Mission Statement

Yvonne’s Dance Academy exists to educate and inspire children in a loving, safe, and nurturing manner. Our structured environment teaches developmentally appropriate skills while simultaneously encouraging creative expression. Our YDA staff uses dance as a tool to build self-esteem and good character while cultivating an appreciation for the art that is dance.

Why Yvonne’s Dance Academy?

  • Welcoming Environment

    YDA is currently home to dancers from 20 Chicago-area schools. This vast range of children reminds us that dance is a universal language that teaches multi-cultural understanding and appreciation. From our reception area with live video feed into our studios, to our homework/kitchenette area, there is always a place for dancers and their families to feel at home.

  • Healthy Body & Mind

    At YDA we believe dance is a form of physical education which allows children to explore their own physical and creative potential in a safe, non-competitive environment. We have no doubt that dance provides children with an understanding and appreciation of the body that will translate into a long-range commitment to fitness, good nutrition, and health. Dancers at YDA are taught to love their bodies and themselves through dance. This powerful message resonates with our dancers and helps them to build confidence.

  • Creative Educators

    Our dedicated instructors are known for utilizing a wide array of creative methods and teaching styles to educate their dancers. YDA teachers not only model complete ownership of their craft, but are also experienced in differentiation. Our teachers use a variety of manipulatives during instruction to help each child reach their full potential: ballet barres, scarves, stability balls, floor ladders, resistance bands, BOSU, stepping stones, hand and ankle weights, etc.

Ms. Yvonne Grabe-Liddell

Ms. Paulina
Studio Manager & Dance Instructor

Ms. Paulina

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 eighth year teaching with YDA.

Ms. Sarah
Dance Instructor

Ms. Sarah

Mrs. Sarah Lammie, a Chicago native, began her training on the south side of Chicago at Kathleen’s Dance Asylum. She studied tap, ballet, jazz, pointe, and hip-hop, and was a competitive dancer through high school with Ms. Yvonne as one of her teachers! She continued her dance training in college, and worked under Jennifer Smith, co-director of Back and to the Left Productions, Kirby Reed of the Joel Hall Dancers, and Mary Price Boday, founder of the Illinois Ballet. During her time at college, Sarah trained extensively in ballet and modern technique, held office for Terpsichore Dance Collective, and was...

Ms. Melody
Dance Instructor

Ms. Melody

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 2nd year at YDA she continues spreading the joy of dance.

Ms. Elyse
Dance Instructor

Ms. Elyse

Elyse Dakin is from Columbus, Ohio and has been dancing since the age of five. At Marjorie Jones Schools she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and pointe, and went on to pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Ohio State University. Elyse grew up competing around Ohio, and has since trained with world-renowned instructors in all styles at intensives such as Jazz Dance World Congress, as well as in New York City at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Elyse began teaching in 2013, and after completing her BFA in 2017, she has continued to teach and...

Ms. Callie
Dance Instructor

Ms. Callie

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 second year with YDA!

YDA Support Staff