The Studio Staff
Tara Brooke Buchinger-Vernier
Founder of The Studio and the Creative Company, LLC
Tara Vernier, founder of The Studio and The Creative Company LLC, has more than 20 years of experience as a professional dancer, teacher, national judge and choreographer. Highly trained in all forms of dance, Tara specializes in hip-hop, jazz, Latin, ballroom and children’s movement education. A lifetime of educational experiences, which include studies at Eastern Michigan University, led her to develop one of the area’s top studios. Tara’s vast experiences in the pageant world and commercial work allow her to educate not only in dance, but in modeling, acting and all forms of stage presentation. Her many titles include Preteen Miss Michigan, and first runner-up for Preteen Miss USA.
Upon the success of The Studio, Tara was asked to create and direct the dance programs for many of Southeast Michigan’s recreational and community education systems. You can find these programs in the recreational departments of South Lyon, Brighton, Milford and Walled Lake.
Winner of the 2010 Dance Makers prestigious “Marjorie Perry Award,” Tara puts her heart and soul into developing the very best in our youth, educating them with valuable lessons lasting a lifetime.
Tara says: "When I started my studies of the arts back in the early 80’s, finding a high-quality school that embraced teaching in an enthusiastic atmosphere was difficult. It was either 'first-class lessons in a stuffy academy' or 'great times in the school of no technique.' Numerous years of lessons in the 'stuffy-strict' atmosphere led me to one of my most important life decisions – a dream I chased for years. I was going to dedicate my future to creating the enthusiastic and high-quality performing arts center I'd been dreaming of for so long."
Today, The Studio & The Creative Company stand tall as meccas of first-class, electrifying arts education and training. From dance to acting, specialty enrichment classes and programs, The Studio has influenced the lives of so many. Join Tara as The Studio enters its second decade with continued passion and excitement for the arts! She would be honored to answer any questions you might have via phone call or a visit!
Upon the success of The Studio, Tara was asked to create and direct the dance programs for many of Southeast Michigan’s recreational and community education systems. You can find these programs in the recreational departments of South Lyon, Brighton, Milford and Walled Lake.
Winner of the 2010 Dance Makers prestigious “Marjorie Perry Award,” Tara puts her heart and soul into developing the very best in our youth, educating them with valuable lessons lasting a lifetime.
Tara says: "When I started my studies of the arts back in the early 80’s, finding a high-quality school that embraced teaching in an enthusiastic atmosphere was difficult. It was either 'first-class lessons in a stuffy academy' or 'great times in the school of no technique.' Numerous years of lessons in the 'stuffy-strict' atmosphere led me to one of my most important life decisions – a dream I chased for years. I was going to dedicate my future to creating the enthusiastic and high-quality performing arts center I'd been dreaming of for so long."
Today, The Studio & The Creative Company stand tall as meccas of first-class, electrifying arts education and training. From dance to acting, specialty enrichment classes and programs, The Studio has influenced the lives of so many. Join Tara as The Studio enters its second decade with continued passion and excitement for the arts! She would be honored to answer any questions you might have via phone call or a visit!
Amanda Maczik
Amanda Maczik is a native of Michigan and received her ballet training from Sandra Glenn at Glenns School of Dance in Howell. She has been a member of the Cecchetti Council of America since 2001 and has received her teaching certifications through the Advanced Professional level. She has sent numerous students and teachers through successful examinations.
Amanda received her Bachelors degree in Marketing/Advertising from Central Michigan University. While attending CMU, she performed and taught for the Rochelle Bertsch School of Ballet in Mount Pleasant. Since 2006 Amanda has taught ballet, ages three through advanced adult, in Ann Arbor and throughout Livingston county while successfully managing a pharmacy.
Amanda continues her education and training by attending numerous summer intensives including a pointe program taught by Madame Peff Modelski in Chicago and the Cecchetti Council of America summer program at Hope College. While attending Hope, she was the recipient of the Eastern Michigan Teachers Scholarship and has attended several classes by Diane van Schoor of the Royal Ballet School. Amanda is currently working on the Cecchetti Diploma Syllabus with her coach Sandra Glenn.
Besides teaching ballet, Amanda's other passion is her horse, Havik, whom she trains and competes in Dressage. Amanda currently resides in Howell with her husband, Joel, and two Springer Spaniels.
Amanda received her Bachelors degree in Marketing/Advertising from Central Michigan University. While attending CMU, she performed and taught for the Rochelle Bertsch School of Ballet in Mount Pleasant. Since 2006 Amanda has taught ballet, ages three through advanced adult, in Ann Arbor and throughout Livingston county while successfully managing a pharmacy.
Amanda continues her education and training by attending numerous summer intensives including a pointe program taught by Madame Peff Modelski in Chicago and the Cecchetti Council of America summer program at Hope College. While attending Hope, she was the recipient of the Eastern Michigan Teachers Scholarship and has attended several classes by Diane van Schoor of the Royal Ballet School. Amanda is currently working on the Cecchetti Diploma Syllabus with her coach Sandra Glenn.
Besides teaching ballet, Amanda's other passion is her horse, Havik, whom she trains and competes in Dressage. Amanda currently resides in Howell with her husband, Joel, and two Springer Spaniels.
Lisa M. Kaericher
Lisa is a native of Lansing, Michigan, currently residing here in South Lyon, Michigan. She comes from a family of dancers and began dancing at the age of 4 years old. Her first solo national dance competition was at the age of 9 where she completed her love for tap in Chicago and Las Vegas that summer. She danced with several studios in Lansing, but found her home in Clawson, Michigan, where she danced under Juliana Pirpinelli at Juliana’s Academy of Dance. Her and her brother, also a tap dancer, with whom she competed duets and won many national awards, danced tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, clogging, Hawaiian/Tahitian, baton, and music theatre. Lisa went to Adam’s Modeling in her younger years and has a love for music theatre and Broadway as her Uncle was a Broadway performer and a tap dancer.
Lisa has had the privilege of taking master tap classes with Henry LeTang, Al Gilbert, Tommy Tune, Broadway sensation Savion Glover and many more. She has taken master classes with Dance Masters of Michigan and traveled all over the US for conventions and dance competitions, both local and nationals. She has studied with Joel Hall of Joel Hall Dancers and Center of Chicago, IL. Lisa was on the dance team and pompon squad all through high school and also at Lansing Community College where she attended school. Lisa has danced at many state fairs, been in dozens of parades, auditioned for Star Search and been in musicals with dancing features. She taught tap and many other classes at several other studios in Lansing and at Juliana’s Academy of Dance.
Lisa works full time at the University of Michigan, Frankel Cardiovascular Center with the TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) program and has worked in healthcare for the last 15 years. She has worked in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Dialysis and Orthopaedic surgery. Lisa is happily married to her husband, Chris, has a beautiful daughter Katie, who also dances at The Studio, and an English Setter fur baby, Rosie! She has a love for all children and hopes to have a class for special needs children, “A time to Shine,” here at The Studio.
Lisa has a love and passion for tap dancing and making music with her feet. She is honored to share this love of tap with all of our students here at The Studio and help build their self-confidence!!
Lisa has had the privilege of taking master tap classes with Henry LeTang, Al Gilbert, Tommy Tune, Broadway sensation Savion Glover and many more. She has taken master classes with Dance Masters of Michigan and traveled all over the US for conventions and dance competitions, both local and nationals. She has studied with Joel Hall of Joel Hall Dancers and Center of Chicago, IL. Lisa was on the dance team and pompon squad all through high school and also at Lansing Community College where she attended school. Lisa has danced at many state fairs, been in dozens of parades, auditioned for Star Search and been in musicals with dancing features. She taught tap and many other classes at several other studios in Lansing and at Juliana’s Academy of Dance.
Lisa works full time at the University of Michigan, Frankel Cardiovascular Center with the TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) program and has worked in healthcare for the last 15 years. She has worked in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Dialysis and Orthopaedic surgery. Lisa is happily married to her husband, Chris, has a beautiful daughter Katie, who also dances at The Studio, and an English Setter fur baby, Rosie! She has a love for all children and hopes to have a class for special needs children, “A time to Shine,” here at The Studio.
Lisa has a love and passion for tap dancing and making music with her feet. She is honored to share this love of tap with all of our students here at The Studio and help build their self-confidence!!
Kate Benacquisto-LaPorte
Kate started dancing at the age of three, and continued dancing to become a company member at Mary Skiba’s School of Dance. She trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap and Modern.
While attending Michigan State University, she began teaching at a local studio and found a true passion for instilling the art of dance in young dancers. Kate continued her training through various statewide conventions and gaining her dance teacher certification . In 2008, Kate opened Elite Dance Company in East Lansing, Michigan. Under her creative direction she ran one of the most successful studios in the area, bringing a fresh new edge with her choreography and artistic eye. Through the years Kate continued training, attending the Dance Teacher Summit and dancing at Broadway Dance Center during the summer months.
In 2008 Kate also got married and started a family - she and her husband have a son and two daughters. In 2017, Kate sold Elite Dance Company to a long-time employee to focus on her family and be home with her children.
She’s excited to be a new addition to the studio and have the privilege of teaching again and bringing her passion for dance to The Studio!
While attending Michigan State University, she began teaching at a local studio and found a true passion for instilling the art of dance in young dancers. Kate continued her training through various statewide conventions and gaining her dance teacher certification . In 2008, Kate opened Elite Dance Company in East Lansing, Michigan. Under her creative direction she ran one of the most successful studios in the area, bringing a fresh new edge with her choreography and artistic eye. Through the years Kate continued training, attending the Dance Teacher Summit and dancing at Broadway Dance Center during the summer months.
In 2008 Kate also got married and started a family - she and her husband have a son and two daughters. In 2017, Kate sold Elite Dance Company to a long-time employee to focus on her family and be home with her children.
She’s excited to be a new addition to the studio and have the privilege of teaching again and bringing her passion for dance to The Studio!
Savannah Hawley
Savannah is a native of Michigan and currently residing in Brighton. She began dance at the age of 6 alongside her older sister at the Fine Arts Academy in Whitmore Lake and then danced competitively with Barbrah Hatch School of Dance and American Dance Academy until the age of 18. During her competitive career, she earned a spot on The Detroit Piston’s Junior Automation, where she performed during every home game. She trained at Joe Hall Dance Camp in Chicago, was certified by the Cecchetti Council of America for grades 1-4, and became a student teacher for American Dance Academy her senior year of high school.
Savannah was awarded a talent and academic scholarship to attend Marygrove College, where she majored in Dance and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts. She was awarded the Maggie Allesee Dance scholarship her junior year for persistence and dedication in Marygrove College’s Dance Company. In addition to her academic achievements, she had the privilege to attend The American College Dance Association Oakland Dance Festival, and choreograph for Novi high school’s dance team for Marygrove’s College dance outreach Program. She also had the honor to train with Contexture Dance Detroit, with whom she performed at the Dumbo Dance Festival in Brooklyn New York, the Motor City Choreography Collective, and Contexture Dance Detroit’s annual showcase for 3 summers.
Savannah furthered her dance education by traveling to Los Angeles and attending the Galen Hooks Method accelerated dance program where she was asked to become a part of California’s Go 2 Talent Agency for dance careers in California. She declined this offer as she was then hired as a professional dancer for the Detroit Lions as a cheerleader. During her time as a Detroit Lion’s cheerleader, Savannah has performed at every home game, attended and volunteered as an ambassador for the City of Detroit, and had the honor to perform alongside stars Lil Jon and Mike Posner.
Savannah has always maintained her love and passion for dance in all styles including modern, ballet, jazz, tap, Scottish Highland, lyrical, Hip Hop, and contemporary. She is more than enthused to share her love for the art of dance and continue to educate herself further.
Savannah was awarded a talent and academic scholarship to attend Marygrove College, where she majored in Dance and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts. She was awarded the Maggie Allesee Dance scholarship her junior year for persistence and dedication in Marygrove College’s Dance Company. In addition to her academic achievements, she had the privilege to attend The American College Dance Association Oakland Dance Festival, and choreograph for Novi high school’s dance team for Marygrove’s College dance outreach Program. She also had the honor to train with Contexture Dance Detroit, with whom she performed at the Dumbo Dance Festival in Brooklyn New York, the Motor City Choreography Collective, and Contexture Dance Detroit’s annual showcase for 3 summers.
Savannah furthered her dance education by traveling to Los Angeles and attending the Galen Hooks Method accelerated dance program where she was asked to become a part of California’s Go 2 Talent Agency for dance careers in California. She declined this offer as she was then hired as a professional dancer for the Detroit Lions as a cheerleader. During her time as a Detroit Lion’s cheerleader, Savannah has performed at every home game, attended and volunteered as an ambassador for the City of Detroit, and had the honor to perform alongside stars Lil Jon and Mike Posner.
Savannah has always maintained her love and passion for dance in all styles including modern, ballet, jazz, tap, Scottish Highland, lyrical, Hip Hop, and contemporary. She is more than enthused to share her love for the art of dance and continue to educate herself further.
Abby Niemi
Abby Niemi, a former Studio dancer, is thrilled to be back to share her experiences in ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, modern, African, composition and Pilates. She is currently an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, where she's working toward her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance, and has received additional training from intensives such as The Hollywood Summer Tour, Mpulse at U-M, and Complexions at Wayne State University. Her dance curriculum has expanded her training into areas such as dance history, dance somatics, the relationship between music and movement, and movement analysis.
Abby is always striving to expand her craft through different classes, workshops and other opportunities to learn and is so excited to share her knowledge with students through technical and improvisational practices!
Abby is always striving to expand her craft through different classes, workshops and other opportunities to learn and is so excited to share her knowledge with students through technical and improvisational practices!
