Directors Bios

Pati Cloutier (Miss Pati)

A graduate of Colby-Sawyer College, with an Associates in Arts Theatre degree/Dance Concentration, Pati studied ballet, modern, jazz, tap, musical theatre and many forms of ethnic dance on scholarship in New York City with such notable teachers as David Howard, Ann Reinking, Luigi, Finis Jhung, Besty Haug, Lynn Simonson and the late Lee Theodore at the American Dance Machine/Harkness House. Dancing since the age of six, she has been teaching and inspiring children and adult dance students in the state of NH, and particularly the Monadnock region for over 25 years. Prior to co-founding MPAA in 1999, she taught in the local school system for the New Hampshire Dance Institute for 13 years (serving as Assistant Artistic Director for one year), The Dublin School, Franklin Pierce College as adjunct faculty member, Northern Lights Dance Theatre-Antrim NH, The Moving Company-Keene NH, Kathy Blake Studios, and directed Cushing Academy's International Summer School dance program, Ashbumham, MA. She is one of the founding members of the NH Dance Alliance, an organization committed to promoting the art of dance in the State of New Hampshire. She has toured professionally with the Patric LaCroix Afro-Haitian Dance Company, Cambridge MA.  Dance Teacher magazine recognized her as an "Outstanding Dance Educator", and commended her commitment to dance. In addition to her dance background, Pati's diverse experience also includes voice, songwriting, percussion, television, radio voiceovers & jingles, music videos, modeling (including Hand Modeling), as well as choreographing and performing in numerous musical theatre productions. Her dancing finger puppets "YVONNE & YVETTE" received recent international acclaim hailing her as "Finger Dance Champion of the World" by Proctor & Gamble's DAWN Hand Talent Competition 2008. Yvonne & Yvette will  make their television premier this fall, on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, and again on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 when they will be featured in an episode of "Fetch with Ruff Ruffman" WGBH Public Broadcasting System (check your local PBS listings for channels & times). The episode will be entitled "Birds are Handy!" Episode 515.  She currently performs as a vocalist with her husband Ken as, Ivy Le Vine & Chum, search "ivychum" at www.YouTube.com , the NINES band www.ninesband.com a 10-pc. Dance orchestra, and special guest appearances with the Keene Jazz Orchestra, performing big band jazz music. She is most noted for the knowledge and sense of humor she brings to her classroom, and in addition to maintaining being a performing artist, she continues to improve her teaching skills,  consistently attending national summer dance teacher training workshops & conventions, enabling her to share the most up to date methods with her students. "Miss Pati" wishes to thank all the MPAA dancing families for their continued support in allowing her to continue to do the work she loves most, teaching dance and theatre to children and adults alike of the Monadnock Region!

Christina Ahern

Dancing since a small child, Christina began her formal training at the Performing Arts School in Philadelphia, at the age of eleven on full scholarship. At this prestigious school, Christina took daily classes in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Spanish Dance, Musical Theatre, Dance History, Laban Notation, and many other styles of dance and performing arts. She has danced professionally with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company and the Delaware Opera Society, performing in such ballets as Romeo and Juliet, Rumplestiltskin, The Nutcracker, Carmen and many others. She performed for Rudolf Nuryev at the Philadelphia Legion of Honor when he received his honorary degree from the University of the Arts. She spent her summers attending various dance festivals & programs taking Master classes with renowned teachers David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Benjamin Harkarvy and Alvin Ailey. She has been teaching dance for over 28 years, including the Well school, Northern Lights Dance Theatre, the Kathy Blake Dance Studios and taught and choreographed for the New Hampshire Dance Institute for 14 years. She is an AFAA certified aerobics instructor. Miss Christina loves bringing the passion and joy of dance to childern every day!

Teaching Staff

Miss Jess Lawler
Modern, Ballet

Miss Sallie Werst
Hip-Hop

Miss Abbie Brown
Ballet & Modern

Teaching Assistants for 2010-2011

Miss Olivia Ohnesorge

Miss Erin Douglass