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 16th year of her dance career as the owner and artistic director of EPIC Dance Center.

KAYLEE ROBINSON • Assistant Director • 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 manages a dental office in Orchard Park. Outside of working and being at the studio, Kaylee enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Shay!

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.

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.

SAMMY KIRCHMYER • Instructor

Sammy Kirchmyer has been dancing since the age of 3 and began competing at just 6 years old. With extensive training and performance experience, she is well trained in a wide variety of dance styles, including jazz, tap, lyrical, acro, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and pointe. Throughout her dance career, Sammy has had the exciting opportunity to perform alongside Ava Max in Las Vegas. Since graduating high school, she has continued her education and is currently a student at SUNY Brockport, where she studies Sports Management. In addition to teaching dance, Sammy is also a current Buffalo Bandette for the professional National Lacrosse League team, the Buffalo Bandits. Outside of the studio and lacrosse field, you can find Sammy hanging out with friends, shopping, or supporting all of her favorite sports teams. She is so excited to continue creating a positive, encouraging, and inspiring environment for her students to grow, learn, and most importantly, love dance this season!

MIA CIECHALSKI • Instructor

Mia Ciechalski is a recent graduate from SUNY Fredonia where she studied B.A. in Communications-Journalism & B.S. in Dance. During her time at Fredonia she has had numerous opportunities to perform in the Merrins Fall Chamber Concert, Fredonia Dance Ensemble, and with Orchesis Dance Company. She has also had the amazing opportunity to choreograph pieces with Orchesis Dance Company and for her senior capstone. When Mia isn’t dancing, you can usually find her working for Six Flags Darien Lake’s Marketing Department, reading, building Legos, watching Star Wars, or Jellycat hunting. She is so excited to be teaching at EPIC Dance Center and to help inspire young dancers!

ISABEL DYBALSKI • Instructor

Isabel Dybalski has been a competing dancer at Eugenia’s Dance Studio for 15 years. She participated in classes such as lyrical, jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop and acro. She had the opportunity to assist in many classes throughout the years to help younger dancers become the great dancers they are today. She was also able to take many convention classes from well known artists such as Kent Boyd and Allison Holker to help advance her skills. In 2020 she was titled Ms Teen Legacy at a competition. After high school Isabel went on to continue her education at D’Youville University where she currently studies Psychology and Sociology. With her degree she plans to become a school psychologist. Isabel likes to spend her free time being with her friends, working out and being with her cat Coco.

AMBER HOUSE • Instructor • Front Desk

Amber began her dance journey as a child at Carol Joy’s School of Dance, where she trained in Acro, Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. Her early experiences fostered a lifelong love of dance that she now brings to the studio. Amber joined EPIC in 2022 and leads our K-Pop classes and assists with our Creative Combination and Acro classes. Her patience and enthusiasm help our youngest dancers feel confident and inspired. She also serves as a substitute teacher across all class levels when needed.

Amber studied Early Childhood Education at D’Youville College, which has further enriched her ability to connect with and support young dancers. She continues her dance education through attending conventions and workshops. In 2025 she earned the Introduction to Acrobatic Arts certificate and the Foundational Tap for Strong Technique certificate. In addition to her teaching roles, she manages the behind-the-scenes office operations that keeps the studio running smoothly.

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 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, by 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.