Amelia Pullen – Artistic Director

Ballet, Pointe, Modern

Amelia has been teaching and choreographing for The Dance Center for the past 19 years. She has been training in the art of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and pointe since a young child with The Dance Center. After graduating high school in 2004, Amelia went on to pursue a bachelors degree in dance at Belhaven University, in Jackson Mississippi. While attending college she taught and choreographed for many local studios in the Jackson are. Amelia also received excellent technique training under Elizabeth Hansen, Ravenna Tucker, a former principle dancer with The Royal Ballet, Laura Morton from the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Betsy Druary McMillian from Ballet Magnificat, Steven Wynne from Joffrey Ballet, and Britta Heerman-Wynne. She has enjoyed many performing opportunities throughout her dance career and loved working with numerous dance companies while at Belhaven. Since receiving her degree in 2008, she has enjoyed sharing her passion for technique and the artistry of dance in the great state of Maine, and looks forward to continuing her dance career as The Artist Director of The Dance Center.

Elizabeth Hansen – Nutcracker

Elizabeth received her training at Skidmore College with Melissa Hayden, Elizabeth Carroll, Juan Anduze, Paul Meija and many more. Elizabeth feels blessed to be able to teach, choreograph and dance with so many wonderful people in the Central Maine community for nearly 31 years. She founded The Dance Center in 1992 and continues her love for dance through teaching.

Lily Yarnevich – Director of Intro to Dance and Technique

Hip Hop, Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Intro to Dance & Technique

Lily has her bachelors degree in dance and a concentration in studio management from Dean College. She received training in pedagogy, creative movement, ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop. While at Dean, Lily trained under Krisitna Berger from The Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Jill Silverman from Boston Ballet, Todd Shanks, Stephen Tracey-Ursprung, Roshni Pecora, Sheramy Keegan-Turcotte. She was also able to enjoy extensive training and performing experiences from many guest choreographers, and companies. Lily was also selected for the prestigious, “Choreographers Concert” to showcase her work and receive feedback from professional choreographers, such as Eloise Kropp, and Bill Hotaling. Before her time at Dean, she was a student with The Dance Center for five years, where she performed in the annual recitals. She has performed and choreographed for shows at Dean College. Lily is very excited to be back in Maine and sharing her love of dance technique with her numerous students.

Alex Hamby – Director of Social Media and Marketing

Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Partnering, Intro to Technique

Alex graduated from Belhaven University in April of 2022, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance. She primarily concentrated on Modern Dance, Pedagogy, and Choreography for the Camera. During her time at Belhaven she received extensive training under dance professionals; Laura Morton, Krista Bower, Ravenna Tucker-Wagon, Mia Whitehead, Arianna Marcell, Steve Rooks, and many more. She had the opportunity to perform with Belhaven’s Dance Ministry Ensemble for two seasons, as well as produce works for The Emerging Choreographer’s Concert and Collaborative Arts Concert. Prior to her time at Belhaven, Alex trained for 15 years with The Dance Center. Participating in all the technique classes offered, performing in A Nutcracker Christmas, Student Choreography Showcase, and the annual Recital. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with each of her students for years to come.

Ella Caron – Hip Hop

Ella is very excited to be teaching for The Dance Center as a Hip Hop instructor. She received her training from The Dance Center and has been dancing since the age of three. Training in ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, tap, pointe and partnering. Ella has participated in many performing opportunities through multiple nutcrackers, showcases, and student performances.

Madeline Fenlason

Madeline started dancing at 4 years old at Rising Sun Dance Studio in Winthrop and later transferred to Vicki’s School of Dance in Hallowell during high school where she trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. As a young dancer, she has attended numerous dance conventions, workshops, parades and competitions, and has had the opportunity to dance under many talented choreographers. After graduating high school in 2020, Madeline went on to pursue dance in higher education at Dean College, receiving a Bachelors degree in dance with a concentration in studio management. During her time at Dean, she received training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hiphop, improv, creative movement, pilates, dance composition, and dance pedagogy. Madeline also had the privilege to study under Krisitna Berger from The Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Constance Dinapoli from The Paul Taylor Dance Company, Luciano Aimar from The Boston Ballet, Kimberly Sedlak from The Radio City Rockettes, Stephen Tracey-Ursprung, Jill Silverman, Todd Shanks, Pierfrancesco Valpreda, Katie Pustizzi and many other professionals in the dance industry. Madeline has worked as a dance instructor, substitute instructor, choreographer, and guest choreographer at Exhale A School of Dance in Norfolk MA, Edge Studio of Dance in Canton, MA, and Spruce Mountain High School in Jay, ME. She also had the privilege to co-teach with two wonderful senior mentors at Exhale A School of Dance; Renae Maccioli-McLeod and David Connolly who have had professional careers in the dance industry. Madeline is excited to be back home in Maine and join The Dance Center family to share her passion with new generations of dancers!

Lacey Moyse – Ballet, Pointe

Lacey began her training at the age of 5. She has studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, and ballroom. She received extensive training with Maine State Ballet performing as a company member with them for ten years. Lacey performed numerous classical and neoclassical pieces such as Balanchine’s Serenade and The Nutcracker, Symphony in C and Britten. She has also performed with Maine State Music Theater and Community Little Theater. She has choreographed for Community Little Theater and The Dance Center. Lacey directs and choreographs the CLT Youth Summer program as well as Geiger Elementary School’s DramaGators.

Tess Gregory – Tap

Tess began dancing at the age of 3 at Camire School of Dance. She has studied ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, contemporary, acrobatics, and pointe. At the age of 10 she joined Camire’s Dance Team and participated in competitive dance for 8 years. She went to Albright College where she joined her college dance team and performed at competitions and sporting events. She is currently studying to become an Elementary Education teacher and is looking forward to using her new teaching skills in the school and dance classroom. She is very excited to join the Dance Center to teach tap!