Tricia Daraban, dance instructor and owner/director of Dance Nation, was born in southeastern Michigan where her training started at the age of 3. Tricia studied at Wayne State University in Detroit where she earned her BS in Dance with a business minor. Dance has always been her passion, and now after 10 years of teaching is eager to begin this journey as a studio owner/director.
Andrew Kaczmarek began his training at the Rochester School of Dance. Later on, he became a member of the resident company, Michigan Ballet Theatre at the age of 14. During his four-year stay, he obtained guidance and performing experience under the direction of Cornelia Sampson, former member of the Ballet Russe. He received various full scholarships and attended many summer programs including, American Ballet Theater, School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Gelsey Kirkland Academy.
While attending his second summer program with the School of American Ballet, Andrew was invited to stay at their year-round program. There Andrew furthered his education in ballet and had the pleasure of learning from some of ballet’s greats; such as, Peter Martins, Kevin McKenzie, Gelsey Kirkland, Darci Kistler, Peter Boal, Ethan Steifel, Sean Lavery and many more. After graduating from SAB Andrew went on to dance for and perform in corps roles at Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. Andrew currently teaches Ballet and Pas de Deux classes at the Rochester School of Dance, Dance Nation Studio and has coached dancers for YAGP.
While attending his second summer program with the School of American Ballet, Andrew was invited to stay at their year-round program. There Andrew furthered his education in ballet and had the pleasure of learning from some of ballet’s greats; such as, Peter Martins, Kevin McKenzie, Gelsey Kirkland, Darci Kistler, Peter Boal, Ethan Steifel, Sean Lavery and many more. After graduating from SAB Andrew went on to dance for and perform in corps roles at Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. Andrew currently teaches Ballet and Pas de Deux classes at the Rochester School of Dance, Dance Nation Studio and has coached dancers for YAGP.
Ciara Yarrington grew up in the Downriver area with her parents and brothers. Ms. Yarrington began dancing at age 3 and started competing at age 12, where she won many awards with her company. When she was 18 she began working with explorative movement within the city of Detroit and began training at Wayne State University. There she earned a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Performance Management. While in attendance she trained with Biba Bell, Desmond Richardson, Karen Prall, Meg Paul, and Lisa LaMarre…to name a few. With them she was able to study extensively modern, ballet, contemporary, contemporary ballet, improvisation and African Dance. Since graduation Ms. Yarrington has focused her efforts in training dancers throughout Metro Detroit, educating on injury prevent so that her dancers can have the longest performance career possible. Ms. Yarrington’s degree and years of experience in the competition industry has lead her throughout the United States to dance, teach, judge, and manage the backstage during competitions. She has danced professionally in DanceOnFilm, the 2016 Apple Awards, with the BodyCartography Project and festivals within her area. As Ms. Yarrington has presented her work she and her dancers have, together, earned choreography awards and top overalls. She is pleased with the work she creates on beautiful dancers throughout Michigan, as she specializes in teaching: contemporary, tap, lyrical, ballet, pointe, conditioning, and strength training for dancers. In her free time she enjoys collecting gnomes, camping, and swimming in the Great Lakes! Ms. Yarrington thinks that dance can teach you something new everyday and wants to continue to learn about dance for the rest of her life.
Haley Cislo is a lifelong lover of all things dance! While attending Woodhaven High School she was captain of the varsity dance team and later helped coach the team (alongside Miss Tricia). Haley was part of the Disney College Program in Orlando Florida where she was a cast member at all of the Disney parks; she had a lot of fun wearing all of the extravagant costumes and makeup! Early this year, Haley had the pleasure of training and competing with Detroit's Next Level Dance Company. Haley enjoys performing and has done so at many events in Detroit and Chicago. She is currently completing her Elementary Education degree at Eastern Michigan University. Haley loves Dance Nation and is so honored to be a part of the Dance Nation Teaching Staff.
Katherine Greene has been dancing for 15 years, training in many different styles of dance such as jazz, musical theatre, hip-hop, ballet, and lyrical, but specializes mainly in tap. Before graduating from Plymouth High School, Katherine grew up dancing at The Dance Connection in Canton Michigan, where she was apart of their competition team for six years. At her 2016 Nationals at Applause Dance Competition, Katherine won 1st place overall with her solo “Smooth Criminal”, and also received the title of “Miss Applause”. Katherine has trained under many famous tap choreographers such as Christopher Broughton, Gregg Russell, and Denise Caston. She is also apart of a tap group called “GLYDE”, started and overseen by Shelby Kaufman. Katherine began teaching choreography inside of “Detroit Tap Repertory” when she was 15 years old. She has been teaching choreography to students across Michigan ever since.
Ellen Lewis grew up training as a dancer and gymnast. She is Dance Nation's primary tumbling and acrobatics coach. She also currently coaches several days a week at Mills Gymnastics USA. Dance Nation is excited to have Ellen as part of our staff.
Derrick Finley is is a lifelong lover of all things Dance! From Woodhaven, Michigan Derrick discovered his passion for dance at an early age by watching his favorite artists on MTV. He was on the "Next Level Dance Company from 2014-2017 and is currently on Blackout Dance Crew and Melodic Nocturne dance tribe. He is excited to be joining our Dance Nation family!