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Company Members, Apprentices, & Trainees

Lissa Curtis

Executive Director

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Lissa Curtis

Executive Director

Lissa has been dancing professionally for fifteen years and has trained across New England including programs at Boston Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Burklyn Ballet Theatre. She holds a comprehensive certification in classical Pilates from Peak Pilates. In 2013 she graduated with a double major B.S. in Kinesiology: Exercise Science and B.A. in Theatre and Dance from the University of New Hampshire. Under direction of Larry Robertson, former Boston Ballet soloist, Lissa took the leading roles in Paquita, Scenes dan un Salon, and Echoes of the Highlands with the University of NH’s Ballet Company.

She was a principal ballerina with Northeastern Ballet Theatre since 2005 taking on leading roles such as Lucy in Dracula, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Laurencia in The Pirate and the Gypsy, the Evil Queen in Snow White, and main/title roles in Sleeping Beauty, The Snow Queen, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Nutcracker. She is also an accomplished choreographer and has choreographed more than ten full length musicals for Portsmouth Christian Academy.

Through the Miss NH organization Lissa became a spokesperson for her platforms (breast cancer awareness and distracted driving), volunteer, fundraiser, and advocate for many non-profit organizations across NH which won her community service awards, recognition and support from the Governor of NH on multiple occasions; a copy of her work is in the Congressional Record. Currently, Lissa is a sought after advocate, performer, and key note speaker against sexual violence after going public with her story. Be BRAVE is not only her personal mantra, but has become a movement encouraging other survivors to speak out.

Jane Hannon

Company Member

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Jane Hannon

Company Member

Jane Hannon grew up in Salem, NH and began dancing at the age of 3. She trained throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire for 16 years at New England Civic Ballet, Northeastern Ballet Theatre and Northeast School of Ballet. She has had countless summer intensives throughout New England, American Academy of Ballet at SUNY Purchase, Charlotte Ballet and The Washington Ballet. After graduating high school, she was invited to train in the Pre-Professional Program for the 2018-2019 school year at Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. For the 2019/2020 Season, she accepted a Trainee Contract with Ballet Hartford. Since 2019, Jane has loved performing with Safe Haven Ballet in numerous ballets such as The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Cinderella. In addition to performing, she has also been professionally teaching ballet for ages one to adult for the last three years throughout New England. Jane is overjoyed to return as a Company Member and on Faculty with Safe Haven Ballet for the 2022/2023 Season!

Katharine Marianacci

Company Member/Instructor

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Katharine Marianacci

Company Member/Instructor

Before joining Safe Haven, Katharine was a professional dancer with the renowned companies South Carolina Ballet and US International Ballet. In addition to her dance performance career, Katharine has significant experience teaching ballet and ballet-inspired fitness classes across the country. Katharine also holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and she works as a psychotherapist in private practice while continuing to pursue professional ballet. Katharine is excited to begin a new chapter with Safe Haven!

Martin Skocelas-Hunter

Company Member/Instructor

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Martin Skocelas-Hunter

Company Member/Instructor

Martin began his training in Canton, Michigan primarily focusing on the Cecchetti Ballet syllabus. He went on to study Musical Theatre Performance at Western Michigan University, and most recently Dance Performance at Grand Valley State University. Martin has had the opportunity to work with and perform works created by Lizzie MacKenzie Pontarelli, Eddy Ocampo, Brian McSween, Calin Radulescu, Erica Fischback, Autumn Eckman, Becca Lemme, and Amy O'Neil. He has performed with the Grand Rapids Opera Company, Ballet Fleming, Brandywine Ballet, and Dance Del Bello, Arch Contemporary Ballet, Columbia City Ballet and Alabama Ballet. Martin is currently dancing with Palmetto City Ballet.

Mary Keleher

Company Member

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Mary Keleher

Company Member

Mary was born and raised in Manchester New Hampshire, and has 20 plus years of dance training and performance experience. She received her Associates of Arts in Dance through Dean College’s Palladino School of Dance, and is trained in many different styles in addition to ballet. Mary has danced professionally with City Ballet of Boston in the Urban Nutcracker and was a Company Apprentice with Safe Haven Ballet from 2023 to 2025. Some of Mary’s previous roles with Safe Haven Ballet include Thursday’s Child in Beauty and the Beast, Francine in The Nutcracker, Chinese in The Nutcracker, Spanish in The Nutcracker, and many more. When not dancing, Mary is a scare actor at Canobie Lake Park during their annual “Screeemfest” event during Halloween. She also teaches adult ballet at The Cadouxdle Dance Studio, volunteers with the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program, and is an amateur artist.

Morgan Morse

Company Member/Instructor

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Morgan Morse

Company Member/Instructor

Morgan started her ballet training at Ballet New England under Elisa Gerasin and Angela Carter. In 2007 she joined Northeastern Ballet Theater where she continued her training under Director Edra Toth. While at Northeastern Ballet Theater, she was given many opportunities to perform in various ballets such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Stars and Stripes, Midsummer's Night Dream, and Snow White. Morgan is excited to continue her ballet journey as a Company Member at Safe Haven Ballet!

Kristen Sievert

Company Apprentice

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Kristen Sievert

Company Apprentice

Kristen Sievert grew up in Spokane, Washington where she received her early ballet training at the Professional Ballet School under the direction of Angelie Melzer. She went on to earn her B.A. in Dance and Psychology from the University of Washington, studying with faculty including Alethea Alexander, Adele Nickel, and Alana Isiguen. Kristen has also trained at the London Contemporary Dance School in England and performed with Thrive Ballet, New Paradigm Dance Theatre, and in numerous university and festival productions. In addition to her work as a dancer, Kristen is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She deeply values Safe Haven Ballet’s mission to foster healing, inclusivity, and artistic integrity through dance, and is excited to contribute to this work as part of the 2025/2026 season.

Karolina Zarach

Company Member

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Karolina Zarach

Company Member

Karolina is a Polish ballerina with over a decade of professional experience. She began her formal training at Ogólnokształcąca Szkoła Baletowa, a prestigious ballet boarding school in Gdańsk, Poland, where she spent nine years refining her technique and competing at national and international levels, earning several first-place awards. Upon graduation, Karolina joined Moravian Theater Olomouc in Czechia, advancing to Soloist and performing lead roles in productions such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, and Nutcrucker. After five years, her career took her to Osaka, Japan, and later to Sydney, Australia, where she continued to dance in renowned productions. In 2022, Karolina moved to New York City and performed with Jersey City Ballet, American Swiss Ballet, Metropolitan Ballet, and Albany Berkshire Ballet.
Most recently Karolina relocated to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she continues to share her artistry through performance.

Claire Boysen

Trainee

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Claire Boysen

Trainee

Claire Boysen is excited to begin her second year as a trainee with Safe Haven Ballet. She has been dancing since the age of three and, while ballet remains her first passion, she has also trained in tap, musical theatre, lyrical, and contemporary styles.

Claire has performed in Safe Haven Ballet productions of The Nutcracker and Aladdin, as well as in local productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. She has competed successfully in both solo and ensemble categories at local and regional dance competitions.

Her training includes masterclasses with Ballet Bloom, Broadway Dance Center in New York City, and the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to dance, Claire has appeared on stage in local theatrical roles as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Lillian in The Secret Garden, and as a member of the ensemble in The Addams Family.

Outside of the studio and stage, Claire enjoys writing stories and poetry, reading, singing, and playing both the trumpet and piano.

Everly Gannon

Trainee

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Everly Gannon

Trainee

Everly is a 6th grader who loves Jesus, her family, and dancing. She’s grateful to dance with Safe Haven Ballet where she can express her love for God through movement.

Georgia Orluk

Trainee

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Georgia Orluk

Trainee

Georgia began dancing at the age of three, initially training in tap and ballet. From her very first performance, it was evident that she possessed a natural passion for dance. As she progressed, she broadened her training to include contemporary, pointe, musical theater, and hip hop. Although she has explored a wide range of styles, ballet has always remained her greatest passion.

Committed to advancing her technique, Georgia has attended the Burklyn Ballet Summer Intensive and studied with the Orlando Ballet Summer Program, while continuing her training with Safe Haven Ballet. With Safe Haven Ballet, she has performed in productions such as The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.

Georgia looks forward to furthering her training under the guidance of Lissa Curtis and continuing her artistic journey in ballet.

Lily Harding

Trainee

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Lily Harding

Trainee

Lily’s love of dance began at the age of 8 years old. Throughout her 9 years of dancing, she has competed in competitions such as the Youth American Grand Prix, the Connecticut Classic, and Etoile. While dancing at Safe Haven ballet, she has performed in the Nutcracker, Aladdin, and Romeo and Juliet. Lily’s love for performing was found at a young age, and she looks forward to continuing to grow and learn as a dancer!

Outside of ballet, Lily loves to watch the sunrise at the beach, create ceramic pieces, and bake desserts for her family!

Madelyn Dwyer

Trainee

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Madelyn Dwyer

Trainee

Madelyn’s passion for dance began at the age of 2, when she started her journey at Fusion Dance Academy in Dover, NH, under the guidance of Jaime Gagner. Her natural love for the stage was undeniable, and by the age of 4, she competed in her first solo. Madelyn’s dedication to dance expanded as she trained in various genres including jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary with Savana and Serena Petruzello at Zello Dance Studio in Peabody, MA.

Although she enjoys exploring different styles, ballet holds a special place in her heart. Since the age of 6, Madelyn has been part of Safe Haven Ballet, where she has honed her skills under the mentorship of Lissa Curtis. She has performed in numerous Safe Haven Ballet productions, including The Nutcracker, The Grinch, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast. For the past two summers, she has dedicated her time to furthering her technique and artistry by training at Burklyn Ballet. This past summer, Maddie spent 5 weeks training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Her commitment to dance and unwavering passion make her a bright and talented young performer.

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