Our Faculty Members

Marie Patent

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Artistic Director/Founder/Choreographer

Marie Patent is a 40 year accredited member of the Dance Teacher's Club of Boston, Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America. She is also a member of the National Council of Dance Teachers with the American Society of Dance. In addition, she is a founding and active member of the Boston Ballet Society and the NH Dance Teacher's Organization. A dance educator for over 40 years, Mrs. Patent has been described by many as the "first lady of dance" on the seacoast. She has received many awards for her choreography including DEA's President's Cup in 1997.

Robyne Patent

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Associate Director/Choreographer

A certified member of Dance Masters Of America, Dance Educators Of America and the Boston Dance Teachers Club, Robyne is a graduate of Walnut Hill School Of Performing Arts and received her B.S. from The University Of New Hampshire in 1981. Selected to become a cast member with the international troupe Up With People, she has traveled and performed extensively throughout the US and Europe.

Kim Patent

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Associate Director/Choreographer

Certified Member of Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, Dance Teacher's Club of Boston, 1985 B.F.A. Graduate in Dance, Boston Conservatory.

Amanda Black

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Instructor

Amanda has danced and performed at the both the studio and collegiate level for the past 20 years. She holds a Master of Education degree from Salem State College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Amherst. She is currently a middle school math teacher. Amanda has taught master classes at studios throughout New England as well as in Canada.

Allison Claar

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Instructor

Allison started dancing at the age of 5 and over the course of her dance career has studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, and lyrical. She has danced in many competitiions and has performed at venues like Maudslay State Park and the Firehouse in Newburyport, MA as well as Market Square Day, First Night, and the Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth, NH.

Tracy Dwyer

Instructor

A member of NHAPA and the SCDC in its early years, Tracy continued to study dance at UNH, where she also earned her Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Administration. Having returned to NHAPAseveral years ago to teach and perform, she continues to enjoy her students and being at NHAPA. She is a valuable part of the school.

Elisa Sanchez Gerasin

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Instructor

Ms. Gerasin was born in Mexico City. She received her early ballet training at the Victoria Ballet in Guadalajara, Jalisco. She joined the Victoria Ballet Company in 1993 as a dancer and then started instructing beginner students.

Sarah Beth Ingram

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Instructor

Sarah has been a part of the NHAPA family for over 20 years and was a member of the SCDC during her high school career. In 2000, she was selected as a cast member of Up with People where she performed with the lead dance line. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and was also a member of BU's competitive and performance dance team.

Elana Pierro

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Instructor

Elana Pierro has been dancing since the age of 5 and has spent most of her dancing years with NHAPA. She was a member of the SCDC during high school and enjoyed all the opportunities to perform, compete and travel. She was the recipient of NHAPA’s student of the year award in 2004 before leaving to attend the University of New Hampshire.