Patricia Lavoie
A native of Bedford, New Hampshire, Ms Lavoie has danced professionally with the Connecticut Ballet, New Jersey Ballet and the Des Moines Ballet where she later joined the company’s faculty.
She received her early training at Point Park College and the Pennsylvania Ballet. She later continued her training in New York City under scholarship with such notable teachers as David Howard, Robert Blankshine, Gerrard Sibrette, Nanette Glushak and Finis Jhung.
Ms Lavoie founded Southern NH Dance Theater in Bedford, New Hampshire in 1996 and organized its performing company, Southern NH Youth Ballet, in 1998. Ms Lavoie also serves on the National Board for Regional Dance America.
AnnMarie Bergendahl
Ms. Bergendahl has many years of dance training in classical ballet, including several years at SNHDT. Her training also includes modern dance and tap.
She currently teaches at various local dance studios and has been instrumental in the development of our children’s summer dance programs.
Ms. Bergendahl also owns her own professional photography studio, specializing in portraits as well as dance and theater events.
Douglas Davis
Mr. Davis is a former member of the Bern Ballet in Switzerland and the Frankfurt Ballet, Germany. He also performed with the Zurich Ballet and The Munich Ballet Company. He was formerly with the Los Angeles Ballet, Nevada Dance Theater and The Garden State Ballet.
Mr. Davis has been on staff at Southern NH Dance Theater since 1997 as an instructor, resident choreographer and guest artist.
Most recently he created four new works for Southern New Hampshire Youth Ballet; Smetna Suite in 2008, Symphonic Variations in 2010, Piano Concerto in 2018 and Simple Gifts in 2020. All four of these works were selected to be performed at Regional Dance America’s Northeast Festival. Mr. Davis has also choreographed several new works for SNHDT’S Year End Show.
Erika Davis
Erika Davis is an arts administration professional. In addition to being an alumna of Southern NH Dance Theater, Erika trained with Carolina Ballet, School of American Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater, Walnut Hill School, and CPYB.
She received her business degree with highest honors from Muhlenberg College, and spent time performing with notable choreographers Jessica Lang, Karole Armitage, Bill T. Jones, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Heidi Cruz-Austin, and Karen Dearborn.
Her professional dancing credits include such ballets as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, and George Balanchine’s Theme & Variations.
Erika has been the Chief Executive Officer of Regional Dance America since 2018.
Nathan Duszny
1st National Tour Finding Neverland, National Tour Beauty and the Beast, 1st National Tour Flashdance, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, Hairspray, The Chase Brock Experience, She Loves Me, Hello Dolly, and many more!
Robyn Goulette
Robyn received her BFA from the Boston Conservatory. She was assistant to the director of dance at Franklin School for the performing arts in Franklin MA, and owned and directed Spectrum Dance Theatre in Townsend MA for nine years.
Robyn has danced professionally with MJT Dance Company of Boston, Granite State Ballet, North Shore Civic Ballet, Judah Dancers, and Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble.
She has been a guest choreographer for Granite State Ballet, Southern NH Youth Ballet, Peterboro Dance Theater, Nashoba Valley Dance Academy, Northern Ballet, Magnum Opus, Bluebird Uncaged and the Milford NH Spartans Marching Band.
She recently attended a Limon Technique & Teacher Training Intensive at Kent State University.
Robyn is the Artistic Director of Saving Grace Dance Ensemble and Founder of The New England Inspirational Dance Collective, a one day festival of master classes and an evening performance, held annually.
Kristina Griffin
Trained in modern, tap and jazz, Kristina’s passion lies with tapping.
An alumni of SNHDT, Kristina received her early training with Laura Keane. She has participated in programs such as Boston Summer Dance Festival, Portsmouth Percussive Dance Festival, and D.C. Tap Festival, taking class with tappers Josh Hilberman, Diane Walker, Drika Overton, Michelle Dorrance, Brenda Bufalino, Lisa LaTouche, and Evan Ruggiero.
Kristina is excited to continue combining her love of music, dance and teaching at SNHDT.
Sallie Werst Havens
Sallie Havens received her early training at SNHDT under the directorship of Patricia Lavoie. She also studied at Vermont Chamber Ballet, Bossov Ballet Theatre, CPYB, and Ballet Austin. She completed her Bachelor’s of Business at Pace University in NYC during which time she was on scholarship at Ballet Academy East and STEPS.
Her classical performance experience includes lead roles in Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, Giselle, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Valse Fantaisie, and The Nutcracker.
A former New England Patriots Cheerleader, Sallie had the opportunity to dance on the sidelines of Gillette Stadium and appear on national TV during Super Bowl XXVI. She has performed locally with Ragged Edge and FreeFall Contemporary dance companies.
Sallie has recently been guest faculty at RDA’s Northeast festival ’18, the New England Inspirational Dance Collective ’19 and and RDA’ s National Choreographic Intensive.
Laura Horne
Laura Horne graduated from Skidmore College with a BS in Dance. She went on to study on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey School in NYC.
During her New York years she also studied with May O’Donnell, Frank Hatchett, Finis Jhung and completed a 2 year program at the Actors and Directors Lab.
Laura has performed Off Broadway, at the American Dance Festival and at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.
Laura Keane
Laura Keane trains extensively with Jeannette Neill in Boston, MA and has studied with many other artists including Danny Buraczeski, Billy Siegenfeld, Dianne Walker, Adrienne Hawkins and Jerry Tellier.
As a performer, Laura has danced with West End Dance Company under the direction of Jeannette Neill, Spectrum Dance Theater and Jenny & Company out of Fitchburg, MA, where she was a dancer for 10 seasons.
Laura also works as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Apple Therapy Services in Milford, NH and is Pilates certified through Polestar Education.
Valerie Manha
An alumnus of Southern NH Dance Theater, Valerie continued her training with Oklahoma City Ballet and Burklyn Ballet Theatre. She has performed with Eleganza Dance Company, Saving Grace Dance Ensemble, and FreeFall Contemporary Dance Company.
Valerie has also worked with such notable instructors and choreographers as Donn Edwards, Arthur Leeth, John Gardner, Robert Mills, Thom Clower, Lynn Cote, Ashley Walton, and Peter Pawlyshyn. Her performing credits include The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Salute to America, and Le Corsaire.
Valerie has also expanded her training to include American Smooth and American Rhythm styles of ballroom dance as well as Cuban Latin styles of Salsa and Bachata.
Rebecca Power
Rebecca Power performed professionally in Boston for eleven years with Jose Mateo’s Ballet Theatre. As a member of JMBT, she performed many principal roles including Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, Cinderella, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty as well as principal roles in Mr. Mateo’s highly acclaimed original choreography.
Rebecca earned a BFA in dance from The Boston Conservatory, and she attended the Alvin Ailey School on full scholarship. While living in Boston, Rebecca taught ballet at Jose Mateo’s Ballet Theatre and taught creative movement in Needham, MA, at The Creative Movement and Arts Center.
Since moving to Nashua in 1999, Rebecca taught all levels of ballet at Northern Ballet Theatre Dance Center, and now teaches ballet at Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater and The Dance Company. Rebecca has studied early childhood education, and teaches creative movement classes at a local preschool.
Staff
