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.
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.
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!