Kelli Wagner is the Owner & Director of Fusion Dance Studio in Buffalo, NY.  She has been dancing since the age of three and has received numerous first place awards at various competitions at the most advanced levels. As a choreographer, Kelli’s work has been featured on ESPN, Fox 29, ABC and the NFL Network.  She is the proud three-time recipient of America’s Young Choreographer of the Year and her choreography has been recognized with top honors both locally and nationally. She is currently entering her 9th season as the choreographer of the NFL Buffalo Bill’s Cheerleaders, the “Jill’s”. Over the past three years, Kelli has choreographed numerous military shows and has traveled to Iraq to perform for our troops. Kelli has also been active in the scholastic community by previously teaching dance at the University of Buffalo and Nardin Academy in Buffalo. She continues her dance education by not only instructing master level classes, conventions and seminars, but keeps her choreography fresh by attending them as well.

Sarah Swiatek was trained in the disciplines of ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop in Orchard Park, NY for 23 years. She has been on Fusion’s teaching faculty since 2007. As a dancer, Sarah has been the recipient of the highest scoring award at Star Power’s Dance Competition in Las Vegas in 2008; Two-time DDO Artist Agency Award recipient from Company Dance; and Dancer of the Year from Hollywood Vibe. She was cast as a dancer for an educational dance video- produced by Hoctor Dance Enterprises in Las Vegas. In 2003, Sarah was cast for Mattel’s Barbie clothing line, “With Love, Barbie,” commercial and performance in New York City, awarded the Amanda C. Occhino Dance Award from Nardin Academy and was a scholarship recipient to the Millenium/Moro Landis Dance Studio in Hollywood, CA.  In 2008, Sarah was cast as a dancer for the Rap Up the Vote Tour. Sarah is a graduate of Nardin Academy and Canisius College. She currently works at LPCiminelli as their Marketing Coordinator.

This will be Jamie’s 23rd recital.  She has been dancing dancing since 2 years old and she is proud to say she has been with the same studio the entire time.  Miss Jamie has been part of the faculty for 8 years and looks forward to many more!  When Jamie is not teaching, she is a production engineer at a chemical company in Niagara Falls.  Jamie has her BS in chemical engineering and is planning on continuing her education in the near future.  Miss Jamie was also a member of the Buffalo Jills for the past 7 years where she was a captain for the past 5 seasons.  She loved cheering for our team and representing our community all around the world.  Her greatest moments were entertaining our troops in Iraq and Kosovo.  Jamie feels that her dance training allowed her many opportunities of a lifetime and opened many doors for her.  We are proud to have Jamie as a member of our teaching staff.

Katy has been teaching at Fusion since 2008. She started dancing at the age of 3, assistant teaching at age 14 and teaching at age 18. She has been traveling for competitions and conventions since the age of 5 and has won many scholarships and awards over the years.  She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in dance and communication. While attending college, she was a part of the Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble and performed in many other shows in the dance department.  Katy was also a part of the Rap Up the Vote Tour featuring: Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, Lil Flip, Akon, Twista, Ma$e & Lloyd.  She has performed in The Nutcracker for both Moscow Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet.  Katy has had the privilege to be selected as a dance demonstrator for an educational dance video for teachers- produced by Hoctor Dance Enterprises in Las Vegas, NV. 

Patrick has taught and choreographed for many studios in the Western New York area.  He has been a dancer for ten years and has been teaching Hip - Hop for the past five years.  He was a part of the Rap Up the Vote Tour that featured artists such as: Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, Lil Flip, Akon, Twista, Ma$e & Lloyd. His innovative choreography and his love for dance enhance his teaching abilities. We are happy to have Patrick as a member of our faculty.

Shannon Carney, a Buffalo New York native, has been dancing since the age of 2 with extensive professional training in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, acrobatics, lyrical, modern and hip-hop.  She received a Bachelors degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in Dance and Spanish Education.  She is presently working in Physical Therapy specializing in orthopedics, sports and dance related injury and prevention. Shannon is a certified judge and member with the International Dance Organization, United States Dance Sport Federation and American Dance Awards.  She is a dance instructor at multiple studios in Western New York and a part of the summer dance faculty at the University at Buffalo. Past experiences include Choreographer for 6 Flags Darien Lake and Crooked Letta Records, Assistant Choreographer and Rehearsal Director for the Canadian National Tap Team and Choreographer and performer on HBO special tribute concert.  Professional credits in Canada, the United States and Overseas include roles as a dancer, actress and model for TV Specials along with commercial, film, theater and print work. Shannon just completed the European tour of Tap Reloaded and will be rejoining for the Middle East and Orient tour. 

Mackenzie’s desire for the arts was evident from a very early age and dance soon became a driving force in her life. Receiving her formal training from Carol Joy’s School of Dance where passion and dedication drove her to carerr in the industry.  Throughout her competitive years, Mackenzie achieved much success, she has won numerous high score awards at both the regional and national dance levels.  She is constantly motivating and inspiring her students, teaching them that dance is not only about the development of technique, but about the development of oneself. She strives to build the self-confidence of her students both on and off the stage.  We are very proud to have Miss Mackenzie as a member of our faculty!

Sarah began her dancing career at the age of 3.  She has been a dance instructor for the past 7 years and has won many different awards for her choreography at local and national competitions.  A Buffalo Academy for Visual and Preforming Arts Alumnus, and continued her education at Buffalo State College pursuing a bachelors degree in Business Administration.  Sarah was also a member of the Buffalo Jills for the 04-05 season.  She is a valued member of our faculty, bringing our students quality training.

Courtney has received all of her formal training at Fusion Dance Studio since age three.  During her fourteen years at the Studio she was a class assistant for four years.  She is now a welcome addition to our teaching faculty at Fusion.  Miss Courtney has received numerous high score awards as a member of our competition team.  She continues to study at conventions and seminars, and has participated in the annual presentations of the “Nutcracker” and “Three Wishes”.  Courtney has choreographed performances for Cardinal O’Hara High School and her work has also been seen at numerous cheerleading events across Western New York.

Kara has been dancing since the age of three at Fusion Dance Studio.  She is a member of the competition team, and also a member of our faculty.  She has choreographed for Cheer Camp 2008 and other cheerleading events across WNY.  Miss Kara’s energy, excitement and love for dance are qualities that are passed on to her students.  We are proud to have her on faculty.