Faculty

SARAH SIELOFF

Studio Director & Owner / Instructor / Office Manager / DACT Director / DACT Choreographer

Sarah Sieloff has over 30 years of experience in the dance industry. Her expertise lies in Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, and Jazz, with extensive training in many other dance styles. Her choreography has earned numerous regional and national awards, including Overall Placements and Judge’s Choice honors. Ms. Sarah studied both Dance and Communications at Wayne State University, where she was a member of WSU’s award-winning Dance Company. She also had the pleasure of dancing Swan Lake with Detroit’s Ballet Renaissance. Other accreditations include membership in the Michigan Council of Dance and training in New York City. She opened Dance Avenue with Jessica Hall in 2006, becoming the sole owner and director in 2019. Ms. Sarah is married with one handsome child and a houseful of cuddly pets.

CIARA YARRINGTON

Studio Director / Instructor / Office Manager / DACT Director / DACT Choreographer

After completing her time as a student and competitive dancer at Dance Avenue, Ciara Yarrington taught as a member of our faculty from 2015 through 2018, returning in 2020. She has over six years of studio teaching experience and also works as a schoolteacher. Ms. Ciara is a Wayne State University graduate, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Dance and Performance. She held the position of Studio Intern while training at our studio. Ms. Ciara has also interned with the Motor City Tap Festival. She is a former member of To Sangana Dance Company. She has performed at The Detroit Institute of Arts as Principal Dancer for the Body Cartography Project, for which she is also a member of the guest artist residency program. Ms. Ciara has trained under and danced in pieces for artists including Biba Bell and Lisa LaMarre. She performed at the 2016 Apple Awards, honoring Garth Fagan as a recipient. She has also been employed by and traveled with a major dance competition, helping manage nationwide events. Ms. Ciara is an award-winning choreographer on the competitive circuit. She credits her mother and father for their unconditional love and support, understanding dance in its truest form.

MADISON KEATON

Assistant Director / Instructor / Office Manager / DACT Assistant Director / DACT Choreographer / Online Content Manager / Merchandise Manager

Since her student days at Dance Avenue, Madison Keaton has remained with us as an Office Manager and Teacher. She joined our Competitive Team teaching staff for 2020-2021, with choreography earning Overall Placements and Judge’s Choice awards. Ms. Madi danced competitively with DACT for five years, winning overall placements both as a soloist and in group dances. She also served as DACT Team Captain and Office Intern. Ms. Madison danced in Eastern Michigan University’s showcase as a high school senior. She later danced with Oakland University’s dance team. She has also worked as Lincoln Park High School’s Homecoming choreographer. Ms. Madison is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Business / Small Business Management.

TIARA CRUZ

Instructor / DACT Choreographer

Tiara Cruz trained with Dance Avenue throughout her childhood, studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical and Hip Hop. Ms. Tiara danced competitively with us, earning numerous Overall Placements and Judge’s Choice Awards, both as a team member and soloist. She served as DACT Captain and Studio Intern her senior year. Ms. Tiara then joined Oakland University’s Vitality Dance Company, where she was voted Most Valuable Dancer in her first year, worked as a choreographer with Overall Placements, and served as President her senior year. Professionally, Ms. Tiara was a dancer, cast member and co-choreographer for Gabriel Duran’s official short film, “Dragonfruit.” She also has worked as a Guest Choreographer at other Michigan Dance Studios. Ms. Tiara is an Oakland University graduate, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society Member, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and Concentration in Addictive Studies, receiving Academic Commendation. She now works in Pretrial Services at Oakland County Jail.

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TARA GASKELL

Instructor / Office Supervisor

Tara Gaskell is a lifelong Dance Avenue dancer, taking classes in all dance disciplines. She competed as a member of DACT for nine years and served as Team Captain for two years. Ms. Tara earned multiple Overall Placements and Judge’s Choice Awards throughout her time with DACT. She was an Assistant Teacher for five years, enjoying her time developing younger students and acting as a fantastic role model. Ms. Tara is currently attending Eastern Michigan University, with a major in Cinema Studies and minor in Public Relations. She aspires to be a Film Producer. You can always catch Ms. Tara with a friendly greeting at our Front Desk!

PARIS MELLER

Instructor / Office Supervisor

Ms. Paris danced at Dance Avenue from age five to graduation and was a proud member of DACT for four years. She danced two seasons as a member of the Detroit Pistons Mini Dance Team, where she performed for live audiences and gained valuable experience in high-energy, professional performance settings. Ms. Paris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Western Michigan University. This combination allows her to bring both creative vision and professional insight to her students, training technical dancers with an understanding of the business side of the industry. We are so proud to introduce Ms. Paris!

CHELSEA RAMIREZ

Instructor / Office Supervisor

Ms. Chelsea began dancing Ballet and Tap at age 4. She quickly added Hawaiian, Jazz, and Acrobatics the following year. She began competing at age eight, continuing until 18. Through the years she added Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Yoga to her practice, along with Assistant Teaching. After college she moved to Florida and began her teaching career while continuing to dance. She later returned home to grow her family, and she picked back up where she left off with teaching. She was a substitute teacher at Dance Avenue last year and is excited to join the staff full time this season! Please welcome Ms. Chelsea!

MORGAN RITCHIE

Instructor / Office Supervisor

Ms. Morgan has been dancing since age four. She was a Dance Avenue Competition Team Member for eight years, earning many overall awards for group dances and solo pieces. She is a recent high school graduate, now pursuing a degree in Speech Pathology with a Minor in Dance at Eastern Michigan University. We are so extremely proud to announce her as part of our studio teaching staff this year! “I want to teach dance because it is my whole world. I am excited to help kids experience how amazing and life-changing dance can be!”

ANGELA HENDERSON

Advertising Manager / Web Designer / Graphic Designer / Substitute Instructor

Angela Henderson joined the Dance Avenue faculty in 2007. She has over 30 years of dance, performance, and teaching experience. She specializes in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Musical Theater, with an extensive background in Modern, Fitness and Pilates. She has choreographed pieces that have garnered regional and national recognition, including Overall Placement and Judge’s Choice competitive awards. Ms. Angela graduated with honors from Wayne State University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with a Minor in Dance. Ms. Angela is a past Associate Editor for WDET Detroit Public Radio’s Art and Culture desk, where she covered many dance and arts-related topics. She was also a Marketing Director in the Retirement Industry for 10 years. She is very happily married with two wonderful children.

CHERIE SHOWN

Substitute Instructor / Office Supervisor

Cherie Shown joined the Dance Avenue team in 2016 with over 20 years of dance experience; specializing in Ballet (Cecchetti Method), Jazz, and Acrobatics. She is a former member of the Plymouth Metro Dance Company and Henry Ford’s Full Circle Dance Company. Ms. Cherie is also a former Promotional Model and Dancer for nearly 15 years, performing for nationwide events. She has over a decade of Figure Skating training, is a three-time State Champion, and served as a coach for the Southgate Figure Skating Club from 2002 to 2016. Currently Ms. Cherie holds a long term, successful career with an all-encompassing Real Estate firm. She enjoys reading, fine art, hiking, cooking, and spending time with family.

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SOPHIA DEAULT

Substitute Instructor / Office Supervisor

Sophia Deault joined the Dance Avenue staff in 2006 and has over 20 years of teaching experience. Ms. Sophia specializes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Modern with a certification in Pilates. She has trained at the Center for Creative Studies and Wayne State University, where she belonged to the WSU Dance Company and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Dance. She was a member of the Brown Shoe Tap Company and the Cuban Festival Dance Company. Ms. Sophia received the Copperfoot Award for choreography for work performed in the WSU Children’s Dance Concert. She has taken part in the Grand Prix Italia International Dance Competition in Cesena, Italy. In 2016, Ms. Sophia worked in collaboration and performed with the Detroit Dance Collective and Kristi Faulkner and in 2019 she took part in the WSU Alumni Dance Performance. Ms. Sophia loves spending time with her wonderful husband, two beautiful daughters and handsome son.

ELENA RAMIREZ

Substitute Instructor / Office Supervisor

Elena Ramirez has been dancing with Dance Avenue since she was a toddler, training in all dance disciplines and competing as a member of DACT. Ms. Elena earned multiple Overall Placements and Judge’s Choice Awards during her six years as a competition team member and soloist. She worked as an Assistant Teacher for six years and served as Studio Intern her senior year. Ms. Elena is now a student in the Nursing Program at Wayne State University. We are so proud to welcome such a wonderful role model as an Instructor, and she is thrilled to pass her knowledge on to the younger generation!

Park locale photos courtesy of Rob Allor: www.section12photo.com

Industrial locale photos courtesy of Jeffrey O’Connell: www.jeffreyjoconnell.com

White background headshots and group photo courtesy of Kaptured by Keaton.