Meet The Owner…..
Constance (Connie) Smith
Constance Smith, known as Miss. Connie, has trained in all styles and genres of dance. Starting at the age of six, she was involved with Miss Bev’s Dance Studio, located in Niagara Falls, NY, where she developed a close relationship with the Fletcher and Feuz Families. In 2017, Bambi graciously decided to pass down the studio to Connie Smith, now called Legacy Dance Studio. Legacy Dance Studio, which has opened its doors to many forms of dance and artistic expressions since 2017.
Connie graduated with her Master’s in Education from Buffalo State College. She maintains her New York State Professional Teaching Certifications in both General and Special Education (Birth-6th grade) with a concentration in American Studies and a Dance Minor Degree.
Before owning Legacy Dance Studio, Connie spent ten years at Gateway-Longview Therapeutic Preschool as a special education teacher. After owning Legacy Dance Studio to balance her love for dance and school teaching, she transitioned to a building base substitute teacher for the Niagara Falls School district. In addition, she became a member of Dance Studio Owners of Color (DSOC) in 2020, a virtual support group to help minorities succeed in the dance business environment. Throughout her career as a dance teacher and owner, she has won numerous dance and choreographic awards. Connie was a celebrity judge in the Our Little Miss Pageant Scholarship Competition World’s Official 2021-2022. Currently she is a member of Weissman Dance Studio Owner of Color Advisory Board. She has choreographed routines for parades, competitions, and local organizations and events.
MEET THE DANCE INSTRUCTORS…………………………..
Miss. Alex
Miss Alex brings over 13 years of teaching experience to Legacy Dance Studio, specializing in Tap and Acrobatics while sharing her love of all dance styles. A lifelong dancer, she began at age 2 and went on to train and compete across multiple genres before starting her teaching career at Miss Bev’s Dance Studio and later joining Legacy. She has also taught Tap and Modern at the collegiate level, refining her skills in choreography and advanced instruction.
Outside the studio, Miss Alex is a 6th grade teacher with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and New York State certification in grades Birth–6, as well as a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. She believes dance is about more than perfecting steps—it’s about building confidence, fostering creativity, and helping students find their unique voice through movement.
Miss. Rhi
Rhianna Broeker has been dancing since the age of 3, beginning her training at Miss Bev’s Dance Studio and continuing through its transition to Legacy Dance Studio. She started assisting classes at a young age and began training as a Tap teacher in 2020, and officially started teaching at 16. Currently, Rhianna is studying Psychology with minors in Art Therapy and Theatre/Dance at Buffalo State University, where she is also a member of the Pom Dance Team. She is excited to bring her experience and passion for Pom to Legacy’s 2025–2026 recital season. For Rhianna, dance has always been a safe and joyful space, and she strives to share that same love and confidence with her students.
Miss. Karmen
Karmen Cruz began her dance training in 2013 at Miss Bev’s Dance Studio and continued through its transition to Legacy Dance Studio. In Legacy’s first year, she became a class assistant and has since grown into her role as a teacher for young jazz and young ballet teacher, completing her first year of teaching in 2025. Alongside her dance career, Karmen graduated from cosmetology school and has completed numerous professional trainings with brands such as Amika, Goldwell, and Sally Beauty. This expertise has allowed her to serve as Legacy’s makeup artist and hairstylist for the past several years—an experience she truly enjoys. Karmen is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance and creativity with all current and future Legacy students.
Miss. Gi
I began dancing at the age of 7 at Miss Bev’s Dance Studio and spent 10 years as a competitive dancer. I’ve been teaching at Legacy since I graduated high school, specializing in hip hop and co-teaching our competition team. In 2025, I graduated with my bachelors in Business Administration. In addition to teaching, I love contributing to the artistic side of the studio — from designing our positivity wall and finale t-shirts to helping create props for performances. I’m passionate about inspiring young dancers and creating a fun, supportive space where creativity can shine.
Miss. Amanda
Miss Amanda has been inspiring dancers at Legacy Dance Studio since its earliest days. Trained at Miss Bev’s Dance Studio and teaching since 2009, she brings over 15 years of passion and expertise to her role as competition team instructor, specializing in Jazz and Lyrical.
A founding member of the Legacy family, she embodies the studio’s values of inclusivity, creativity, and confidence-building—helping dancers grow in strength, discipline, and joy.
Outside the studio, Amanda teaches Kindergarten in Buffalo. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Special Education from Niagara University and is a certified NY State teacher (birth–6th grade).
Through both dance and education, Miss Amanda guides young people with empathy, skill, and dedication—continuing to inspire growth and community at Legacy Dance Studio.
Miss. Karissa
“Yoga is a dance between control and surrender”
Miss. Britni
Britini D’Angelo (28) is a Special Education Teacher, content creator, and houseguest on Big Brother Season 23 (CBS), where she was Juror #1 and cast a vote for the winner of the season. She graduated from Niagara University in 2021 with her Masters in Early Childhood and Childhood Education, with additional certifications in Special Education Grades 1-6 and Theatre Education Grades K-12. She also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Media Studies from Niagara in 2019. She is also a 5th Degree blackbelt, a Eight-Time World Champion in the Chuck Norris System Karate, Valedictorian of her undergraduate Class of 2019 at Niagara University. She has been dancing for over 23 years and a dance teacher at Legacy Dance Studio.
Miss. Mia
Mia is thrilled to be teaching ballet and jazz at LDS this year! Mia grew up studying ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, and tap. Now, she is going into her final year at UB, finishing up her studies in sociology, Spanish, and her minor degree in dance. At UB, Mia studies ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, and has performed in many shows including Emerging Choreographer’s Showcase, MFA Dance Showcase, and Dancer’s Workshop. She has also choreographed several pieces for UB’s dance club, Impulse Dance Force. Having grown up in a rather toxic dance environment, Mia is focused on breaking cycles of abuse in dance education by focusing on inclusivity and accessibility in dance, while still teaching the safe and proper technique to students that will set them up for success. Mia is looking forward to an amazing year with Legacy.
The Dance Legacy Continues...
History
The legendary Beverly Fletcher opened up her studio in 1944, and is identified as one of the foremost authorities of tap dance and its history. Affectionately known as Miss Bev, she is a member of the Dance Hall of Fame. Miss Bev wrote Tapworks: A Tap Dictionary and Reference Manual, and it’s one of the official reference manuals of the Dance Masters of America. This manual also includes a comprehensive dictionary of tap dance terminology with a special section devoted to teachers and is used in many colleges. After Miss. Bev retired, the dance studio was passed down to Miss Bev's daughter, Bambi Feuz. Bambi has recently passed down the studio to a devoted family friend Constance (Connie) Smith. The studio continues to shape and mold dancers of all ages throughout Western New York and Ontario, Canada. Miss. Bev’s Dance studio, now known as Legacy Dance Studio, opens their doors to many forms of dance. This studio is accepting to all ages, ethnicity, and creativity to express the art form of dance. The studio has been the root of all other studio’s evolving in Western New York and Canada.