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.

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.

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.

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 second 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 second year with YDA!