Meet The Dream Team…

Check out the bios of our amazing team! Also, make sure to check out their Top 4 Performance Videos in the media player below the bio.

Rich Cranston

CREATIVE SUPERHERO

Owner & Founder - DJ *Rates differ

@richcranston

  • One of the most sought-after DJ artists in WNY; a top choice when wedding vendors themselves get engaged!

  • Focus on the psychology of how people are entertained; a master “uniter” of the room!

  • Personal favorite genres include Electronic, Hip/Hop, 90’s, 2000’s and up, Pop/Top 40.

  • Has opened for Lil John, Flo Rida, and LMFAO.

  • Profile clients include the Darcie Glazer Kassewitz & The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, CBS/Entercom/Audacy Radio, NSC Agency, ESL & City of Rochester.

  • Thrives on every genre and has extensive music range, with hip/hop, electronic, Top-40, 90’s 2000’s being favorites.

  • Graduate of the American Broadcasting Institute.

  • Voiceover Artist & National Recognized Public Speaker.

  • Presenter & Educator, Mobile Beat DJ Convention & MEX Convention - Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Presenter, Wedding MBA - Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Follow his industry trends & planning tips on Instagram (@richcranston)

John Roach

AGENT OF AWESOME

General Manager and DJ

@jrencore

  • 17 Year Veteran of the Rochester Event Industry

  • Co-Host of YouTube’s THE REAL DJ SHOW!

  • John has opened for National Recording Artists like Jason Derulo, LMFAO, Lil John, FloRida, and Big and Rich.

  • John’s first album was “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.

  • John’s signature DJ style is characterized by blending classic party favorites with modern beats and energy.

  • Presenter Mobile Beat Las Vegas and MEX Conferences

  • John believes that dance floor success is a science,, and he is a PhD.

  • His top 5 MCs of all time are, in order: Jay-Z, Ice Cube, Em, 2Pac and Biggie. Don’t @ him.

Mickey Hamilton

CHIEF ENGINEER OF HYPE

DJ & Department Head of Digital Content and Marketing

@djmickeyencoreevents

  • Holds Degrees in Recording Technology, Voice Performance, and Entertainment Business

  • He is Encore’s Full-Time digital technical genius

  • Producer of YouTube’s THE REAL DJ SHOW.

  • He will never turn down an opportunity for some good karaoke… and yes there is such a thing as good karaoke…

  • Once won a dance battle in Inchoeon,, South Korea… Go USA!!!

  • First album he bought: Michael Jackson’s Bad

Austen Reid

FOREMAN OF FRESH TRACKS

DJ

  • Joined Encore Events after owning his own DJ Business since college.

  • Got a noise ordinance ticket during his first DJ event ever.

  • His first DJ controller literally died in flames. The set was that damn hot.

  • He once won free taco bell for a year at a dance off at the RedWings baseball stadium.

  • His first album was Santana's Greatest hits.

Andre Powell

THE ARCHITECT OF BEAT

DJ & Department Head for Production

@jentle_p

  • As Encore’s Full-Time Production Manager- he makes all of our magic happen from behind the scenes!

  • Dre is Encore’s most tenured DJ, and his energy is still limitless.

  • Believe it or not, he’s our resident musical redneck, but his musical range is crazy.

  • Hands down, one of Encore’s most fashion forward dressers. No Question!

  • First Album: Lynyrd Skynyrd “Second Helping”

Mikey Viavattine

AMBASSADOR OF BASS

DJ & Department Head of Customer Experience

@djmikeyv

  • Mikey is one of Rochester’s most popular Club DJs, holding many residencies. Ask him where he will be this week.

  • He is Encore’s Full-Time “Customer Guru” of client experience.

  • Musician, Producer, Bassist, House Music Enthusiast, Mikey has been DJ’ing in Rochester for over a DECADE!!!

  • Once opened for Deborah Cox, Jennifer Holiday, and DJs for Roc Pride Events

  • DJ’s the TEDDI 24 hour dance marathon at St. John Fisher

  • First completely memorized album: Hall and Oates Greatest Hits (Thanks Mom)

Jordan Rakiewicz

CHIEF DANCEFLOOR OPERATOR (CDO)

BOOTH FAIRY

DJ & Department Head of Digital Content and Photobooths

@dj_jnicoleencoreevents

  • She graduated college with a degree in Fashion Business and for some reason tell you the Pantone color of the year…

  • She has the most DJ swag in the business. Don’t believe me? Watch the videos below.

  • Her favorite era of music is the 2000’s but her family heavily influenced her musical taste so she can keep everyone on the dancefloor!

  • Since the age of 9, she’s been able to play Trumpet, French Horn, Piano, and Drum Kit!

  • Her First CD that she ever bought was the album: Ashanti (2002)

Shane Allen

GROOVE CONSULTANT

DJ

  • Worked as an “on-air” radio DJ and is currently the host of three podcasts (The Gentlemen's Club, The Innerloop Podcast, & House School)

  • Shane has been doing stand-up comedy for over a decade and performs, produces, and hosts live shows all over Western NY

  • He's our resident Emo Expert and has a collection of guitar picks from bands like Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, and Taking Back Sunday to prove it.

  • Fun Fact: Shane has won multiple "Best Of Rochester" Awards

  • Funner Fact: Shane Allen is the only Real Estate Agent in Rochester known to DJ his client's housewarming party

  • First CDs: Linkin Park's "Reanimation, Weezer's Green Album, and Christina Aguilera's debut album

Dr. Kendrick Heintzelman

DANCEFLOOR ENGINEER

DJ

  • Seriously, he holds a Doctorate of Chiropractic.

  • He knows all the words to “DotA” by Basshunter………………. In Swedish…..

  • Not only has he been a music producer for 12 years, he also made the intro song for the podcast: “ Sticks & Beers”

  • When we say he’s a huge EDM fan, that doesn’t even begin to cover it… No really! He once made his own Marshmello helmet, including the LED’s!

  • First CD: Queen’s Greatest Hits

Stephanie Hyde

SWAG CAPTAIN

DJ

@_s.hyde_

  • Claims that learning the clarinet makes her a better DJ.

  • Former On-Air Radio Personality.

  • Believes that all wedding couples should have Whitney Houston’s - I Wanna Dance With Somebody, on their Must Play List!

  • First Album she ever bought: Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D.

Rich Post

MASTERMIND OF FUNKY TECH

DJ

  • Rich is one of Encore Event’s original DJs. Get yourself an OG!

  • One of Encore’s true gear-heads. There isn’t a piece of tech that Rich doesn’t love, or want to turn into a way to rock your dance floor.

  • Rich believes a laptop and turntables are as powerful as any instrument.

  • The 90s and the Aughts are Rich’s true wheelhouse, but watch him mix an old classic into something crazy and contemporary.

  • His home is a true menagerie: an energetic shepherd-husky, 2 cats, a chinchilla, and fish, and also 3 kids.

  • Van Halen 1984 was his first album….so might as well JUMP!

Savannah Sexton

ADMINISTRATOR OF VIBE

DJ

@thinksavy

  • New to Rochester, NY, Savannah was born & raised in Cincinnati, OH. Savannah has hosted and opened for an extensive amount of events and clubs in Cincinnati, including playing sets for many artists, such as, Nitty Scott.

  • She’s opened for Steve Aoki for ANA Airlines in NYC and played for Sommer Ray’s Christmas party in LA.

  • Her first album (always stealing from her older sister): No Doubt-Tragic Kingdom & The Offspring-Americana (Actually for her personal collection) Britney Spears -…Baby One More Time

  • PS, Encore’s got a new fashion forward dresser.

Ray Tiano

COMMISSIONER OF REMIXOLOGY

DJ

@dj_tiano81

  • Years ago we found Ray in a bar and we knew we had to bring him on! His ability to read the room and mix songs of different genres is like no other.

  • You should hear his remix of ‘Summer of 69’! You won’t regret it.

  • You love Latin Beats? Ray is your guy! Come hear him in one of our Open Houses!

  • Fun Fact: If Ray could trade places with anyone, it would be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.