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.
Guest Artist
Jacob began his training in ballet at the age of 9. He began attending and competing in dance competitions at the age of 15, receiving awards for ballet, contemporary, and lyrical performances. He has enjoyed dancing the roles of Nutcracker/Prince, Snow King, and Cavalier in “The Nutcracker”, as well as Prince Désiré in “The Sleeping Beuty”.
Jacob spent two years in Phoenix, Arizona as an intern choreographer and music director at Dream City Church. He then spent two additional years at Dream City working on staff as the Creative Arts Assistant Director. Dream City Church puts on the largest Broadway-style musical each holiday season, in Phoenix. Jacob has spent the past four years choreographing and teaching dance to beginner and advanced dancers in Arizona. He is currently in the process to get his BA in Music with Southeastern University.
Company Member
Skye Darling grew up homeschooled in the small town of Milton Mills, NH. She began playing the violin when she was six years old and dancing by age eleven. Skye received her degree from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Minor in Dance. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Violin Performance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Along with Safe Haven Ballet, Skye has danced with Northeastern Ballet Theater, the UNH Ballet Company, UNH Aerial, and in the Lila Dance festival, the Breathe Life Gala, and the Be Brave Gala. Outside of dancing, Skye has coached the UNH Youth Symphony Orchestra, performed and recorded with the UNH Symphony Orchestra, UNH Chamber Ensembles, as a soloist, and she has written, recorded, and performed violin and vocals around the seacoast. Skye loves Safe Haven Ballet for providing an exceptional mission, a safe community, and an opportunity for continued growth and she looks forward to another exciting season with the company!
Company Member
Teresa Fardella, a New Orleans native, has trained and performed with Jefferson Ballet Theater, Ballet Hysell, Loyola Ballet, and D’Project. Her most memorable performances are West Side Story, La Bayadere, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her choreography has been shown with D’Project, Lelia Haller’s The Nutcracker, Storytellers Dance Project and OnStage Dance Company Season 18-22. Upon moving to Boston, she has performed with Tony Williams Urban Nutcracker, OnStage Dance Company, teXtmoVes, Saving Grace Dance Ensemble, and Safe Haven Ballet. Most recently, Saving Grace Dance Ensemble was given the opportunity to work on a reconstruction of José Limón’s “There is a Time.” She currently teaches ballet at Melrose Dance Academy, Arlington Dance Place, and is ballet director for In Sync Center of the Arts where she is artistic director of an annual full-length ballet.
Instructor/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!
Instructor/Company Member
In 2010, Mr. LaChance was awarded a Dowd Merit Scholarship to Ballet Chicago under directors Dan Duell and Patricia Blair. Upon graduating Indiana University, he moved to Chicago to attend Ballet Chicago’s full-year program to continue his education. Mr. LaChance began dancing professionally in 2013 and since then has performed across the country for several professional ballet companies as well as ballroom studios. Joseph’s performance highlights include: Von Rothsbart in Balanchine’s Swan Lake, the Third Regiment in Balanchine’s Stars & Stripes, Le Corsaire pas de deux, Dracula in W. Earle Smith’s Dracula and Sugar Plum Cavalier in various productions of The Nutcracker. He is currently a principal dancer with Safe Haven Ballet having starred in full length productions of Don Quixote, Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. He is one of the rehearsal directors and on staff for Safe Haven Ballet’s pre- professional school.
Instructor/Company Member
Mykenzi has grown up dancing around the NH Lakes Region and Seacoast since the age of 3. She began her serious ballet training with Northeastern Ballet Theatre at the age of 11, performing in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella among many other productions. In addition to her dance background, Mykenzi has experience in musical theater, performing in shows such as Peter Pan, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, and The Wizard of Oz. Mykenzi received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Elon University in North Carolina, where she combined her passion for dance with her love of history. During her time at Elon, Mykenzi had the honor of being an Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow, where she learned the foundation of leadership education. This created a new interest in mentorship within the performing arts, which Mykenzi sees exemplified well in Safe Haven Ballet. Now located in Cambridge, MA, Mykenzi is focusing on continuing her dance education and looking to pursue her masters in Museum education beginning Spring 2021. She is so happy to be back doing what she loves in her home state of New Hampshire!
Company Member
Abigail Schnurbush is a 20-year-old Sole City Dance Alumni who started her dance training by taking tap and ballet classes at a local studio in her hometown of Wakefield, New Hampshire. Abby found her love for ballet while attending Deborah Grammatic's School of Ballet in 2011-2017. Abby began training at Sole City Dance in Somersworth, NH in 2016, where she performed in various repertoires such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella (by Assaf Benchertrit), Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and Giselle. Abby studied the ABT curriculum under Jacqui Young and Deborah Grammatic. The ABT curriculum and instruction from her teachers helped drive Abby to pursue a dance career, refine technique, and develop her true passion for the arts. During the summer months, Abby dedicated most of her time performing with the Solstice Dance Company (SCD) and participating in Portland Ballet's summer intensives (2012-2017). In 2022, Abby was a guest artist in SCD's Treasure Island where she starred as the Mermaid Queen, which is one of Abby's favorite roles to date. Abby is excited to continue her training and developing her artistry with Safe Haven Ballet.
Apprentice
Mary was born and raised in Manchester New Hampshire, and has 20 years of dance training and performance experience throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts. 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 dancing with Safe Haven Ballet, Mary has danced professionally with City Ballet of Boston and has danced in many pre-professional ballet productions. Mary also teaches beginner ballet at Dance Visions Network to people ages 13 to adult in Goffstown New Hampshire. When she is not dancing Mary is a Substitute teacher at Salem High School and throughout Salem School District. Mary works in the entertainment and marketing department at Canobie Lake Park in Salem New Hampshire where she performs with the Fun Squad, and gets to hangout with her Critter friends Molly, Petey, Garett, Bruno, Dapper, Kimba Sue, and Patches. Mary is also an actress at Canobie Lake Park during the parks annual “Screeemfest” event during Halloween. Mary is one of the current title holders for the Miss Capital Area Scholarship Program (a preliminary to Miss New Hampshire and Miss America) and has volunteered many hours of service through this Miss New Hampshire Program. Her Social Impact Initiative is “Understanding ADHD,” and she is the admin of a Facebook support group for dancers with ADHD. She is so excited to be apart of Safe Haven Ballet and knows that this company will shatter the glass ceiling.
Apprentice
Marissa has been dancing on the seacoast since the young age of 6. She has been trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and modern and loves being able to express herself through movement and dance. She graduated from University of New Hampshire in 2017 with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Dance and performed with their Ballet Company for three years in shows such as Les Enslave, Cinderella, and Peter and the Wolf. She has been dancing with Lissa since 2017 and Safe Haven since 2019, she also currently teaches at a local dance studio and greatly enjoys sharing her love for dance with her students.
Marissa has been apart of many recitals and productions throughout the years and some of her favorites roles have been Arabian, English, snowflake, flower, and Miriliton (Nutcracker), Candor Fairy (Sleeping Beauty), Gypsy Princess (Don Quixote), and Fairy of Kindness and Princess in Cinderella this past spring. She is excited to continue her training with Safe Haven Ballet and can’t wait to see what she gets to do next!
Apprentice
Adam’s first time at a ballet bar was in 2011 when he took an adult beginner series through a REC program in Portland, Oregon. It wasn’t until 2019 – five years after he had returned to his home state of NH and eight years after that Portland ballet class – when Adam joined his son to audition for SHB’s premier Nutcracker. He was surprised and excited to make his stage debut as Mr. Stahlbaum and as one of Drosselmeyer’s dolls. His love for performing was ignited, and in 2020, he completed a beginner contemporary class with Boston’s Urbanity Dance. Soon after, Adam was thrilled to dance and partner as a Toreador in SHB’s 2021 full-length Don Quixote. He is now honored to be a trainee with SHB, performing as Rat King and Arabian in its 2021 Nutcracker and as Kindness Lead and Mazurka Couple in its 2022 Cinderella. When not rehearsing with SHB, Adam can sometimes be found dancing on four wheels at Dorchester’s Chez Vous rhythm roller skating nights, working as sole proprietor of Magic Frog Carpentry & Woodworks, and being a proud dad to Yves, Wren, and Xanthe.
Trainee
Leah Beck grew up in the seacoast New Hampshire area and began ballet at the age of 6 at Dance Designs in Plaistow, NH under the direction of Cherie Williams. There she learned ballet technique as well as pointe for 10 years and participated in annual shows. After graduation, she furthered her dance education at Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho where she studied ballet technique, modern, ballroom, latin dance, world cultural dance, and dance history, as well as classes at Boston Ballet. She earned her bachelor's degree in Integrated Studio Arts and began working as a professional graphic designer and illustrator in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After taking a break from dance for a few years, she moved back to the New Hampshire seacoast and started dancing at the Great Joy School for Worship Dance in Hooksett, Joy of Dance in Lee, and currently Safe Haven Ballet. On her first production of Safe Haven Ballet's The Nutcracker in 2021, she danced the roles of party mom, snow corps, and flower corps. She went on to perform in their 2022 production, adding in the role of Russian. Leah also performed in Safe Haven Ballet's 2023 production of Beauty and the Beast as a villager and whisper of the castle. Her love for dance continues to grow and loves seeing ballet performances when she can. When she's not dancing, Leah works full time as a senior graphic designer and enjoys spending time with her husband, shopping for literally anything, and renovating her home.
Trainee
Grace Clement grew up in southern Maine. When she was younger, she was heavily involved in athletics, including dance. She switched over to competitive all-star and school cheerleading. She relocated to the east coast of Florida for a few years to continue cheerleading. After winning multiple national titles, she shifted her focus to her studies. Upon graduating from the University of Maine Orono, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering.
During college, her first experience with ballet was watching “Swan Lake”, performed by Moscow Ballet Company, and was immediately enthralled. She was introduced to Lissa Curtis at the Northeast Ballet Theatre's performance of “The Nutcracker” and knew ballet was worth exploring. A couple years later, Lissa invited her to audition for Safe Haven’s first production of “Sleeping Beauty”. She was hesitant due to her lack of ballet training, but was welcomed with open arms, and the rest is history!
Currently, she is excited to continue her training and to help serve the Safe Haven community on and off the stage. Outside of ballet, she works in the firearm industry and is an active member of her local church. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Trainee
Emma began her dance training at Acton Boxborough Dance Center in Massachusetts.
In 2017, Emma received her B.A. in Dance at the University of New Hampshire. Emma performed with the UNH Ballet company in shows such as Peter and the Wolf, Don Quixote, Les Enslave, and Cinderella. She also danced in two concert ballet pieces in collaboration with the UNH orchestra. Emma also danced with Northeastern Ballet Theatre in productions of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Nutcracker.
Emma has performed in previous productions with Safe Haven Ballet. Some of these productions include the Be Brave Galas, 2019 performances of Sleeping Beauty, the Nutcracker, Don Quixote.
In 2019, Emma received her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from UNH. She now works as lead teacher at an early learning center in Dover, NH. She loves sharing her love of dance and movement the children in her class. She also teaches dance at a local studio.
She is excited to continue studying ballet as she trains with Safe Haven Ballet.
Trainee
Avalon began dancing at the age of 3. She has trained in a variety of different styles with ballet being her primary focus. She has had the honor of performing in numerous ballets throughout Oregon and New Hampshire, including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Avalon has participated in ballet competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix in Boston, Massachusetts and San Diego, California as well as other local dance competitions throughout New England. She has attended summer dance intensives at Eugene Ballet in Eugene, Oregon, Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA. She is excited to continue her dance education as a trainee with Safe Haven Ballet.
Trainee
Elisa Verdi is a Seacoast native, and has been dancing and moving since she could walk. She
began her dance training in Eliot, ME at the John F. Hill Grange Hall, before moving to Great Bay
Academy of Dance in Portsmouth, where she studied for 10 years. Along with ballet, Elisa has
received training in tap, jazz, modern, and Irish stepdance. She has had the honor of dancing in
“The Nutcracker” at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, and has performed in dozens of productions
throughout the Seacoast. After a serious injury sidelined her for the last five years, Elisa is so
grateful to finally be able to dance again. She holds her bachelor’s degree in Communication
from Saint Anselm College, and when she is not dancing, she is working fulltime as a journalist.
This is Elisa’s first season at Safe Haven Ballet, and she is thrilled to be able to continue her
dance training and education with such a dedicated group of people.
Trainee
Andi has taken dance classes since he was 6, starting with tap, modern, contemporary, and hiphop and later adding on ballet. He danced at Alton Dance Academy for 12 years. After graduating high school he attended Paul Mitchell The School for cosmetology and became a licensed cosmetologist in 2023. Andi started dancing with Safe Haven Ballet the summer of 2023 after meeting Lissa at the Survivors Showcase, connecting with her through having been through traumatic experiences. Andi's has been through a lot, but found a home at Safe Haven Ballet and a rekindled passion for ballet. His ultimate goal in life is to be happy and to heal and dance has really helped him to do that.
He is very excited to learn and grow at Safe Haven Ballet as he has fallen in love with the atmosphere and support between the dancers.