MEET THE STAFF
ALI MAGERS
Founder / Owner / Head Coach
Hello, My name is Ali Magers, the founder/owner of EPA AllStars! I am 23 years old and I love DANCE! I have an awesome and very supportive family and a dog who I absolutely adore and couldn’t imagine life without. It took me some time to find my passion, having a gymnast background and trying anything & everything in between until I found my heart, dance – I worked really hard and was always on the younger end of all of my teams growing up but it paid off when I graduated from BT School of Arts in 2014 with a dance degree and placed 2nd in the world in 2015 at The Dance Worlds in Orlando, FL.
I created this program in 2016 with the soul purpose of chasing dreams, helping others find their passion and creating a safe place where everyone loves everyone like FAMILY! Dance has been my PASSION and saving grace since I was 10 years old, I have attended The Dance Worlds 9 times and personally performed from 2007-2015. I have taken teams to The Dance Summit since 2013 with my previous gym that I worked with and now EPA for the past since 2016! There is nothing more important to me than all of my kids and watching them grow in more ways than one! My goal is to teach hard work, passion and how to discard emotions and feelings in a positive way by giving them a place to call their second home, EPA AllStars!
NIKKI WOLFE
Owner / Communications / Finance
Hi! I'm Nikki and one of the owners of Empire Premier Academy. I have two girls who both dance at Empire Premier Academy and have been dancing since they were toddlers. Working with kids and making a positive impact in their lives is something I have always been passionate about. When the opportunity presented itself to be part of Empire, giving me an opportunity to be involved in the community and provide a safe place for kids to express themselves, I jumped right in and didn't look back. During the day I work fulltime for a P&C Insurance Company, but in the evenings you can find me at the studio at the front desk answering questions and helping our families.
JENNA LOWE
Owner / Merchandise / Designer
Hi there! I'm one of the proud owners of Empire Premier Academy. My daughters have been dancing since they were little, and it's been a joy to watch them grow in their passion for dance. I've loved dance and music since I was a child, and I’m thrilled to share that passion with the kids in our community. I also have a knack for designing various projects, whether it's a room, a costume, or a website—the possibilities are endless! By day, I work as a Senior Process Designer for a local engineering firm, and by night, you can find me at the studio, often in the office, bringing my creative ideas to life!
CANDICE EHLER
Academy Director / Dance Instructor
Candice grew up in competitive dance and cheer, as well as participated in many musical theater productions. In adulthood Candice has had on set experience for an internet commercial and a dance extra in a Sony Productions movie. She was also a member of the dance team for the Florence Freedom professional baseball team. Additionally as an adult Candice has trained with GoingPro, professional NFL cheerleaders/dancers, and various master classes. Candice has been a member of the Greater Cincinnati Dance Alliance as well as participated in outreach programs such as Artswave to help keep the art of dance alive in the Cincinnati area. Candice has over 13 years of experience teaching dance in various studios, public schools, and nonprofit organizations. She has experience teaching many genres of dance including ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, cheerleading, dance fitness and musical theater for ages 2 through adult. Candice has experience in organizing and running recreational dance programs, dance summer camps, and musical theater productions. Candice has been part of the EPA family for 4 years as a dance mom.
LAURIE MCLEAN
Coach / Fitness Trainer
Hi! My name is Laurie McLean and I’m one of the coaches here at EPA! I’m a current student at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Communications. While I’ve only been a coach for two years, I have spent about seven years in the Allstar cheer and dance world. When I’m not in the studio, you can probably find me in the gym! I love taking my experience in fitness and using it to help my dancers become the best versions of themselves.
MAKEDA BRYCE
Ballet Instructor & Academy Teacher
Makeda Bryce born and raised in the South and has traveled extensively. Started her journey in dance from the age of 4 at Pat Gray Dance and Gymnastics in Mississippi to earning her Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in Dance at Valdosta State University. Where she also choreographed a piece for the American College Dance Festival Association which was selected in the Gala at the conclusion of the Festival. She also traveled with Catherine Schaffer Co during and after college to other dance festivals in New York, Tempe AZ, Tampa FL, and more. The pedagogy of Makeda's dance techniques foundation is French and Russian Ballet, Limón/Humphrey Modern, Horton/Alley technique, Musical Theater, Chicago and New York style Jazz, teaching dance techniques and etc. Makeda has taught ballet, jazz, hip hop, and modern with Dance Canvas, Dance 411 studio, and worked with choreographer from Spellman University's T. Lang in Atlanta, GA.
D'ANDRE HARRIS
Tech Director/Coach/Dancer/Teacher/Choreographer
D’Andre Harris began his technical dance training in contemporary, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, ballet, and tap when he was 11 years old. He started his training at JCA Dance Academy and continued on at Reflexions Dance Arts. Harris went on to diversify his pre professional dance career by training, teaching, and choreographing in the Cincinnati area. This includes studying dance at Butler Tech School of the Arts. In his career, Harris has received a Career Technical Certificate in dance, as well as several choreography awards and national titles from national dance competitions like Showstoppers, Platinum, NexStar, and Encore. In addition to his dance training and achievements, D’Andre also has over 15 years of gymnastics and Trampoline & Tumbling training. He has earned numerous Power Tumbling titles and attended the Junior Olympics Championship. While enrolled at Fairfield High School, he cheered for Varsity. This launched Harris into an impressive competitive cheerleading career. He has cheered at the most prestigious cheerleading programs in the country. These include Cheer Athletics Plano and Cheer Extreme Raleigh. While cheering,he has attended The Cheerleading Worlds multiple times. Most recently, Harris has been coaching All-star cheerleading and tumbling at cheerleading gyms all over the Cincinnati area. Overall, D’Andre has achieved his success and obtained his knowledge by traveling, learning, choreographing, and teaching all of the US. His favorite part about teaching dance is watching young dancers find their connection with their movement and bringing their own story to life. D’Andre is eager and excited to continue to learn and teach at EPA All-stars.
DARBI DURIK
Coach / Tumbling Instructor
I grew up in the competitive cheerleading and dance industry starting at the age of 4 years old and haven’t looked back since. This industry is something I have fallen in love with from a young age and even in my 20’s I still continue to fall more in love with this ever changing industry. Dancing all through out grade school, high school and even college allowed me to pick up not only technical skills but also life skills that I apply to my every day.
Since graduating college it was time to retire the title of an athlete and step on the other side of the mat to take on a new title as Coach Darbi! It was time to take my skills learned throughout my years and raise up the next generation of athletes that would go out and change the world. In 2018 I began my all star coaching career. Since starting my coaching career I have had the opportunity to coach cheer and dance teams , dance solos and duets to successful seasons. While attending the most prestigious competitions this industry has to offer.
My specialties include technique execution, athlete tumbling progressions, tumbling technique, mental blocks, and creativity. My coaching style is unique and tailored to individuals and teams to help drive overall success where both individuals and teams win on an off the stage. I am passionate about instilling confidence in my athletes while always having a goal driven mentality. My goal is to challenge my athletes every step of the way. While also setting up my teams for success as I watch them rise to every occasion. I couldn’t be more excited be apart of this EPA family! Let’s go be amazing!
DARRICK JOHNSON
Coach / Tumbling Instructor
Darrick Johnson, a native of the Cincinnati region, has dedicated over two decades to breakdancing and has participated in various dance crews. He was affiliated with 20/Twenty Cru, working alongside Derek Burbridge. Darrick has competed in dance and breakdancing events across the United States and has showcased his talent at the UniverSoul Circus. Beyond dance, he has also engaged in tumbling for more than 25 years, receiving training at institutions such as Kids First, Flip’n Twist, and Dyamo Gymnastics.
JAYDEN VEGA
Allstar Assistant Coach
Jayden Vega serves as a distinguished assistant coach at Empire Premier Academy, boasting 13 years of dance experience, with 8 of those years dedicated to EPA. She is enthusiastic about fostering the development of aspiring dancers and facilitating their growth and achievements.