For 14 years, EPIC Dance Company has been more than a studio—it’s been a sanctuary. Founded by Shana Bonetti, the Flemington-based school blends movement and mindfulness to help young dancers grow into strong, confident individuals both inside and outside the studio.
“I realized there was a void in the dance world where the focus was all on the physical dancer, not the mental and emotional one,” Bonetti says. “There was so much pressure to perform, but something was missing. I wanted to create a space where kids could be seen, safe, and valued.”
That philosophy has guided EPIC Dance Company since its earliest days. Bonetti, a Somerset County native and University at Buffalo graduate with a degree in dance, launched the studio with just 16 students. Today, EPIC serves hundreds across Hunterdon County and beyond, offering programs that emphasize personal growth as much as performance.
“Dance is what we do,” she says. “But it’s the tool we use to build confidence.”
Building a Healthy Foundation
EPIC’s curriculum reflects Bonetti’s belief in nurturing the whole dancer—body, mind, and spirit. Classes are designed to balance technical training with mindful breaks and open conversations. Students are encouraged to connect, decompress, and develop resilience, with staff members modeling the same balance.
“We have a lounge space that feels like a living room,” Bonetti says. “It’s where the kids can hang out, talk about their day, or even ask for help with homework. It’s about creating a home away from home.”
Her approach also extends to the instructors she hires—many of whom are former EPIC dancers who have returned to teach while pursuing careers in other fields. “They come back because this place fills their cup,” Bonetti says. “That’s how I know we’re doing something right.”
Adapting Through Change
Over the years, EPIC has weathered its share of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Bonetti turned those obstacles into opportunities to reimagine how her students train and rest.
“We moved toward quality over quantity,” she says. “We made weekends family time unless we’re competing. It’s so important for kids to have balance—to go to birthday parties and football games and just be kids.”
The shift has paid off, with dancers thriving not only on stage but in their personal growth. “If a child feels seen and valued,” Bonetti says, “their success soars.”
Rooted in Community
Located on a flourishing stretch of Stangl Road in Flemington, EPIC shares its block with a mix of creatively driven businesses—from pottery studios to ice cream shops. Bonetti says the artistic synergy fuels her own inspiration.
“The street has evolved so much since I opened,” she says. “It’s a community that celebrates art, and that’s what we do. We’re athletes in a sense, but at the heart of it, dance is art.”
EPIC has also become a local favorite during community events such as the annual Witch Walk, where local businesses compete for the best Halloween décor—a contest the studio has won four years in a row.
Defining What It Means to Be EPIC
For Bonetti, being EPIC isn’t about medals or trophies. It’s about creating something lasting within her students.
“Maybe 10 percent of our kids will go on to dance professionally,” she says. “But 100 percent should want to come back and visit. They should remember this as one of the happiest parts of their childhood.”
Within EPIC’s signature purple walls, every dancer learns that individuality is their superpower. “EPIC means legendary,” Bonetti says. “It’s about being remarkable in your own skin—being where your feet are, being real before right, and knowing you’re celebrated for who you are.”
That message, Bonetti hopes, will continue to echo through generations of dancers long after the music stops.
“It’s a community that celebrates art, and that’s what we do. We’re athletes in a sense, but at the heart of it, dance is art.” - Shana Bonetti
Studio Snapshot
Address: 13 Stangl Rd, Flemington, NJ
Phone: (908) 782-9900
Website: epicdancecompany.com