ABOUT US

ELLEN PUCKETT • Artistic Director

Ellen has studied dance for almost 50 years. She has studied locally as well as in New York City and Los Angeles. Well versed in wide variety of dance styles, she specializes in working with the youngest of students’ ages 18 months and up, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop. A true dancer by nature, Ellen still endeavors to further her own dance education with renowned instructors and attends dance seminars to make her a stronger dancer and teacher. Ellen continuously updates her teaching methods and strives to stay current with today’s choreography. An instructor for more than 25 years, many of Ellen’s students have gone on to study dance in college, audition for dance companies and become instructors themselves. She has won numerous awards in choreography. Ellen has assisted at the Tremaine Dance Convention and has adjudicated for numerous dance competitions. Ellen celebrates her 12th year of her dance career as the owner and artistic director of EPIC Dance Center.

BETH C. PFOHL • Instructor

Born in Buffalo NY, Beth C. Pfohl had no real plans to dance or teach in either a school dedicated to classical ballet or a competitive/recreational studio setting. Her parents enrolled her in formal classes with Bernadine DeMike in Orchard Park hoping to tire her out and make their “down time” less exhausting. (for the record it did not work.) She became a member of the Buffalo Ballet Theatre under the direction of Gregory Drotar and fellow Buffalo native Barry Leon. After further study with Ginger Burke at the Royal Academy of ballet, she began to accept teaching positions at various schools in the WNY area including Steppin’ Out Dance Academy, Pat Taylor’s School of Dance, Buffalo Inner City Ballet and Judy Pickhardt Dance Academy. Currently Beth is also an instructor with Classical Ballet of WNY, Lockport Classical Ballet and Dance Spectrum. In addition to teaching, Beth is involved in sewing and building costumes for Classical Ballet of WNY and Lockport Classical Ballet as well as costuming for Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet, Configuration Dance Theatre and the afore mentioned studios. Beth has variously assisted, coordinated and directed the children’s rehearsals for Ballet Met Columbus production of The Nutcracker at Shea’s Performing Arts Center from 2007‐2009. An accomplished dancer, Beth has also appeared in Classical Ballet of WNY/Lockport Classical Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker as “Frau Stahlbaum” and in Swan Lake, Act 3 as the “Queen Mother”. Beth joins EPIC Dance Studio as our Ballet and Pointe Instructor.

MADDIE DRAPER • Instructor

Maddie started dancing in 2010 at a local dance studio studying all forms of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, acro and lyrical. She moved to EPIC Dance Center in 2018. Throughout her dance training, Maddie has competed in numerous dance competitions. Additionally, Maddie was a gymnast at Gymnastics Unlimited since 2012 competing Level 7 & Xcel Platinum. She continues to coach at GU and was captain of the Orchard Park Varity Gymnastics team her Junior and Senior year of high school. Maddie graduated from SUNY Erie in 2024 with an associate in science degree in Sports & Leisure Studies with a concentration in Sports Management. In the fall, she will be continuing her education at Buffalo State University studying early childhood and childhood education.

RASHAWNN • Instructor

Rashawnn started dancing in 2012/2013 at Canisius College. He was mentored by a Pounding Dance Crew member and a member of the Random Ninjaz Dance Crew. He has participated in Breakin’ Battles at Verve Dance Studio where he had the chance to perform his newly developed skills such as freezes and power moves. During Rashawnn’s time at Canisius College, he studied Political Science, Urban Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice. He graduated in 2016 under academic scholarships.

LAUREN HARVEY • Instructor

Lauren Harvey started dance at age 3, training in several styles. She received a dance minor from SUNY Buffalo State, where she also earned a BS in Communication Studies. Lauren has been with the Buffalo Bandettes since 2011, starting as a dancer and captain to now the coach/program coordinator and social media manager. Through the team, her choreography has been performed for sold-out arenas and at the New Kids on the Block Mixtape Tour for their Buffalo stop. Two of her videos for the team have gone viral online and she has now received two NLL championship rings! Some of her other credits include the NYS Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies, the World's Largest Disco, Jim Kelly's Celebrity VIP Gala, as well as being an extra and a choreographer in several short films and music videos. She is certified by Acrobatic Arts (Pre-K, Module 1, Module 2) and Alixa Flexibility (Module 1, Module 2) and is certified in concussion protocol, first aid, CPR and AED. Lauren is also a member of the National Dance Coaches Association, through which she earned her Dance Safety & Risk Management Credential. When she's not dancing, Lauren is working full-time in marketing and spending time with her husband, Jake, and their dog, Romeo.

KAYLEE ROBINSON • Instructor

Kaylee Robinson has been in various dance classes for most of her childhood, such as Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Acro and Hip-Hop. She also was in cheerleading for 8 years. During Kaylee’s freshman year of high school, she came to EPIC Dance Center to start taking classes. She has had the opportunity to continue her dance education through attending conventions and training. In 2018 Kaylee completed the Aerial and Back Handspring Workshop with Acrobatic Arts. After high school Kaylee went on to earn her Associate’s Degree and Dental Assistant Certificate from SUNY Erie. In addition to teaching at the studio, Kaylee works fat Cornerstone Periodontics and Dental Implants. Outside of working and being at the studio, Kaylee enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Shay!

KYRA GAWERA • Instructor

Kyra started dancing at Epic in 2016 but has always had a love of dance. In her time here at Epic Dance, she has participated in Contemporary, Ballet, and Fusion classes. In addition to dancing in classes, she has also been assisting Miss Beth in Ballet classes since 2019 and assisted with Mr. Rashawnn in Breakin during the 2021-2022 season as needed. She has enjoyed assisting through the years and is overjoyed to have worked her way up to choreographing and teaching on her own. Kyra is joining us in teaching two sections of Contemporary, Musical Theater as well as continuing to assist Miss Beth in Ballet. Kyra has had the pleasure of assisting the classes that she will be teaching several times and is thrilled to help our dancers grow, as well as grow in her teaching abilities. Kyra is currently attends University at Buffalo on an accelerated track to a doctorate in pharmacy. She is excited to see where the future takes her as she works towards her degree.

AMBER HOUSE • Front Desk

Amber is the heart of our studio's front office. She is your go-to source for all your questions regarding tuition, fees, and studio policies. Her commitment to ensuring a seamless experience for both students and parents shines through as she guides you through the intricacies of dance conventions, competitions, and all things studio-related.

She is also the creative force behind our digital presence, lending her artistic touch to our social media, website, and blog posts. With a keen eye for design and a heart for storytelling, Amber infuses our online platforms with the same passion that fuels our dance studio.

CAROL PUCKETT• Front Desk

Miss Carol has been a cherished part of the EPIC Dance Center family for many years, and her friendly face is one that everyone—dancers and parents alike—can always count on! With a wealth of experience and a heart full of love for the dance community, Miss Carol brings positivity, kindness, and support to everything she does.

Miss Carol is always eager to assist in any way she can, whether it’s offering a reassuring word to a parent or guiding young dancers as they prepare for class. Her dedication to supporting our studio’s dancers and their families goes beyond the front desk, as she is an enthusiastic cheerleader for all of our students’ successes.