Faculty
Laura Foti, Owner/Artistic Director
Mrs. Foti received her early training under the director of Sylvia Clay of Clay School of Dance. Throughout her later training she was also taught by Laurie Clay (Boston Ballet), C. Larry Robertson (University of NH), and Michelle Tolson (Radio City Rockettes). She trained as an assistant dance instructor for seven years, eventually teaching locally at area studios. Hired by New Hampshire Academie of Dance in 2000, she became the principle instructor in 2001. She has participated in hundreds of master classes with such greats as Edward Vilella, Al Gilbert, Frank Hatchett, Leslie Browne, Janice Barringer, Joe Lanteri, Bob Rizzo, Pete Rose, David Howard, Debbi Dee, and many more. Mrs. Foti danced competitively in the Miss America program, earning enough money to fund almost her entire college education. She danced her way to the titles of Miss Manchester, Miss Nashua, Miss Merrimack, and Miss Greater Derry and was a finalist for the title of Miss New Hampshire. With twenty years of dance teaching experience, Mrs. Foti also holds business and computer degrees. She has been a member of the National Dance Education Organization, Professional Dance Teacher's Association and the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association .
Miss Laura believes that dancing schools teach much more than steps, and is most proud of the life lessons she sees being learned daily within the studio. While she is well known for her technical knowledge and methodical teaching, she is equally as well known for the fun classes she creates for our youngest dancers. You can find her working with all levels of dancers, from our "babies" to our seniors. She brings a love and enthusiasm for dance together with technical dance expertise that create an unequalled experience for her students.
Cheryl Donahue, Business Manager
Cheryl has been on both sides of the dance studio world for more than 30 years. She was a dance mom to two of her three daughters and learned the tricks and tips that she is famous for here at NHAD. Her husband is a former dance studio owner, and Cheryl became familiar with the office side of the business. A former Union Insurance representative, Cheryl's organizational skills are second to none. She is also an accomplished seamstress and is always helpful to everyone in our dance family providing services, instruction and advice. She is a born leader and is always at the ready to lend a hand.
Glenna Kurek, Office Manager
Glenna has been involved in dance for 48 years, beginning her journey at just three years old and later becoming a competitive dancer herself. Her love for the art of dance came full circle when her daughter, Josie, began dancing at age two, and together they joined the NHAD family in 2009.
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After college, Glenna proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and went on to raise four wonderful children—two boys and two girls. With a lifelong passion for education and creativity, she spent over 15 years as the Education and Programs Coordinator at the SEE Science Center in Manchester, NH, where she shared her enthusiasm for learning and discovery with countless students.
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Even after her daughter graduated, Glenna continued to volunteer at every recital, eventually joining the NHAD office staff in 2019. In April 2022, she married her high school sweetheart, who swept her away to Seattle, WA—but her heart remained in New Hampshire. A year later, she and her husband happily returned home, where she continues to bring her energy, warmth, and dedication to the NHAD family every day.
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Outside of the studio, Miss Glenna works full-time at Spectrum Signs & Graphics as the Office Supervisor and Lead Estimator. She recently welcomed her first grandson and loves spending time with her three cats—Jack, Frost, and Coal—who keep life full of fun and a little bit of mischief.
Barbara Jones, Office Staff
Barbara has been in the dance world as a competitive dance mom for over 20 years. Her daughter, Samantha, grew up dancing at NHAD. She has gained extensive knowledge about all aspects of the dance studio world, competitions and the work that goes into them. Barbara studied Criminal Justice and is in her 36th year serving the town of Londonderry as a Police Dispatcher and Records Coordinator. She has joined the NHAD staff as part of the Office Team and is always a friendly face and a willing hand to help and answer any questions that you have!
Amanda Shea , Curriculum/Enrollment Coordinator/Teacher
Amanda began her dance journey at the age of five and has pursued her passion ever since. She is an alumna of New Hampshire Academie of Dance, where she trained under Laura Foti and Leo Donahue, spent eight years as part of the Dance Company, and competed across New England. During this time, Amanda also assisted in classes, gaining early experience working with young dancers and developing a love for teaching.
Throughout her career, Amanda has continuously expanded her knowledge in both choreography and technique by attending numerous workshops and conventions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a certification in Special Education from Southern New Hampshire University, combining her academic background with her dedication to nurturing young dancers.
After working in the Manchester School District as a Title One Interventionist in Math and Reading, Amanda made the decision to follow her passion full-time and dedicate her career entirely to dance education. She has furthered her professional development by attending prestigious conferences such as the DanceLife Teacher Conference and MTJGD Studio Owner University, as well as participating in ongoing in-house trainings to stay at the forefront of dance instruction.
Today, Amanda serves as both Curriculum Coordinator and Enrollment Coordinator at NH Academie of Dance. In these roles, she designs and implements a comprehensive curriculum that provides dancers with a strong technical foundation while fostering creativity, confidence, and personal growth. She also works closely with families to ensure a seamless and welcoming experience as students join and progress through the studio. Amanda’s combination of performance experience, teaching expertise, and educational background allows her to guide dancers of all ages and abilities toward their full potential, both on and off the stage.
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Meghan Hamilton, Company Coordinator/Teacher
Miss Meg is a dance teacher and choreographer with over 20 years of experience with dancers of all ages. She is proficient in Ballet, Jazz. Lyrical, Contemporary, Horton and Graham- based Modern, Tap. Pre-ballet, Conditioning/Leaps and Turns, and Acrobatics. Meg taught for 14 years at Erin Rae's School of Dance and 18 years at Art in Motion Academy of Dance, both in southeastern Massachusetts. Meg was the Company Director at Art in Motion and continues to choreograph for their team. She now resides in New Hampshire with her wife, daughter, and twin boys.
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Meg's love for dance began at a young age, and she always knew that she wanted to teach in order to share this passion and inspire other dancers. She holds an Associates of the Arts from Dean College, where she was a member of the Dean College Dance Company and Dance Team. She continues her education by attending many programs, classes, and conventions, including Boston Conservatory Summer Program, Boston Ballet, Acrobatic Arts, DanceLife Retreat Center, and Dance Teacher Life Conference, She attributes her success as a teacher to the mentors that trained her, including Ann-marie Basara, Kym and Patti Eisenhower, Nailah Belanger, Jill Silverman, Maryanne Kodzis, Joan Palladino, Sean Curran, and especially the late Marianne Harkless who first sparked her love for modern and contemporary ballet.
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Her choreography is as versatile as the many styles she teaches. Meg's pieces have been recognized at Regional and National competitions by winning top cores, entertainment and choreography awards. She was honored to be nominated for Headliners Choreographer of the Year and win the National Choreography Award at Spirit of Dance Awards in 2015 and 2016. Her teaching philosophy focuses on fostering a supportive environment where students can express themselves, build confidence, and develop their skills. Meg believes in the importance of technique, discipline, and creativity, and strives to incorporate these elements into all her classes. She enjoys teaching and training all levels of dancers and helping students grow a better understanding of their technique and artistry.
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Allyson Kachanian, Teacher
Allyson is a choreographer and dance educator with more than 18 years of teaching experience in all major forms of dance. Dancing since age three, she began assisting classes at 12 and teaching at 16. After graduating high school, she moved to NYC to train with industry professionals at the Broadway Dance Center and studied the Zena Rommett Floor Barre Technique for corrective body alignment and injury prevention at Broadway Dance Center and at STEPS on Broadway. Allyson is most influenced by her modern training under artists from the former Dance Space Center in SoHo (currently known as Dance New Amsterdam) where she also studied anatomy and kinesthetic body awareness.
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Allyson successfully owned and operated Artistic Ballet and Creative Dance in Hampstead, NH for 8 years before marrying her husband and raising their two daughters. She is currently on staff at Phantom Gymnastics in Hampstead, NH where she coaches dance and choreographs competitive floor routines for NH State Champion gymnasts training in USAG Junior Olympic Program. Allyson is a graduate of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston Dance Education Training Course, a member of American Alliance and New Hampshire Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD and NHAHPERD), and the National Dance Association (NDA). She was certified in Leap 'N Learn in 2012. Allyson continues her own dance training by attending classes in NY and Boston, as well as dance conventions and professional educator seminars across the Northeast. Her creative ideas and choreographic style have earned numerous gold medals, overall high score awards, and special judges awards.
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Sarah Strong, Teacher
Sarah is a passionate and exuberant ballet teacher in Northern Massachusetts, where she has resided her whole life. After graduating summa cum laude from Dean College, where she earned her BA in both Dance and Arts and Entertainment Management, she decided to dedicate her life to teaching dance to the upcoming generations. During her studies at Dean, she participated in various disciplines including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Horton, Tap, Hip Hop, and Ballroom. Additionally, she focused on the anatomy of dancers through Bartinieff fundamentals, anatomy classes, and working with her athletic trainer.Originally trained at New England Civic Ballet under the direction of Roshni Pecora and Phyllis George, Sarah has performed in many ballet productions in both soloist and corps roles, including Mouse Queen and Spanish in The Nutcracker, and as Sleepy in Snow White. While at Dean, Sarah was also cast in multiple pointe companies and was asked to be a part of the restaging of William Evans' "Ritmos de la Tierra" to be performed as part of a William Evans production. Additionally, Sarah was selected multiple times to be a choreographer for the New Dancer Showcase for freshmen dance majors at Dean. Notable teachers include Jill Silverman, Laura Young, Todd Shanks, Kristina Berger, Jeremy Ruth Howes, Roshni Pecora, William Evans, and Adrianne Hawkins.Sarah is teaching at various schools in the New England area, working with both competitive and noncompetitive students, promoting the love and appreciation of ballet as both a sport and an art form. Sarah is excited to continue sharing her passion for ballet and terrible puns with her students!
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