Ages 4 - Adult

Tara Pliska — Tara has been teaching for Dave since he opened the studio in 1989. She has been dancing for 33 years, and cannot imagine a life without dance. She has appeared in many full-length ballets, and has had extensive dance training in Pennsylvania and New York City. She is a certified member of Dance Educators of America. In addition to teaching at the studio, she has choreographed productions for The Corner Bistro Dinner Theater, The Act, and Standing Room Only Theater Company. She has also served as dance instructor for the NYSP camp at the University of Scranton. In addition to the studio, she is very active in local community theater. She resides in Scranton with her daughter, Alexandra, and will dance and teach for Dave until the end of time.

Rachelle Macavage — Born and raised in Virginia, Rachelle began dancing at the age of 4. She danced with the city dance academy and placed in numerous competitions for tap and toe dance in ballet. She continued dancing through the years and graduated from James Madison University with a BS in Special Education and a minor in dance. After moving to Pennsylvania and attending one of Dave Ragnacci's dance recitals, she then knew she had to join the studio. She has been dancing with Dave for 8 years and has been a teacher/choreographer at the Dave Ragnacci School of Dance for 4 years. Rachelle resides in Old Forge with her husband and 2 children.

Kevin Stevenson — Kevin has been involved with the Dave Ragnacci School of Dance since 2000 acting as the studio's art director and office manager. In addition to prop and set design Kevin's responsibilities include advertising, programs and music. Kevin has studied art, photography and design at The Savannah College of Art and Design and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He has art directed such shows as "Harvey" and "Romeo and Juliet." Kevin has also appeared on stage at The Corner Bistro Dinner Theatre.

Christina Swika— Beginning dance lessons at age 12, Christina has studied under the direction of several local teachers.  She participated in “Arts Alive,” a program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, during which she majored in modern dance and pursued a minor in playwriting.  Christina maintained her interest in dance while earning a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing from the University of Scranton.  Continuing her academic endeavors, she also earned a master’s degree in secondary education from the same institution.  She is a certified secondary English teacher, listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.  Christina resides in Eynon with her husband.

April Goldberg— April Goldberg has been dancing since age three, primarily under the direction of Alexi Ramov and James Sutton.  She has studied with the School of American Ballet where she danced with the New York City Ballet.  As a member of Ballet Theater of Scranton, Civic Ballet Company, Scranton Ballet Guild, and Ballet Guild of Lehigh Valley, April was featured as soloist in many lead roles.  Ms. Goldberg has performed with and trained under members of Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, San Juan Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, the Rockettes, and Martha Graham School of Modern Dance.  Skilled in many varieties of dance including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, flamenco, ballroom, and aerobics, April has instructed and choreographed for many local dance companies, schools, and competitions.  Ms. Goldberg has taught dance for Marywood College for Kids, University of Scranton, Scranton State School for the Deaf, Keystone City Residence, and Tiffany Falls Performing Arts Workshop.  April is proud to now be part of the Dave Ragnacci School of Dance.

Adam Farley —Dancing since age 10, Adam is a dancer whose ferocious creativity knows no bounds. Born and raised on the breakdancing and hip-hop culture he acquired from early film titles such as Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. He continued to expose his street credibility by performing his b-boy steps in night clubs at the age of 13. By the time he had graduated high school in 2003 he had already accomplished being a successful teacher to the dance and cheerleading team, performing in numerous talent show acts and representing the seniors in the schools annual dance off. He has also served as a former dance instructor at Northeast Dance Academy and has also contributed his talent to many charity events in his hometown of Scranton, PA. In addition to the studio, Adam is currently studying Communications at Lackawanna College where he will later finish this year and continue his studies at Wilkes University to earn his bachelor’s degree.

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