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Supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts

SNHYB Recognized by NH State Senate

Southern NH Youth Ballet’s Valentine Gala Raised Money & Awareness
Artistic Director Presented with Resolution from NH Senator Clegg

Southern New Hampshire Youth Ballet, a non-profit organization, held it’s annual Valentine Gala Saturday, February 9, 2008. It was a true success! There were over one hundred people in attendance including New Hampshire author Tracy Kane and her husband Barry and New Hampshire Senator Robert Clegg and his wife Priscilla. On behalf of the New Hampshire Senate, Senator Clegg presented SNHYB’s artistic director, Patricia Lavoie, with a Resolution “in recognition of ten years of promoting and encouraging the appreciation of ballet and other dance forms through performance and education.” “The presentation of the Resolution by Senator Clegg was a complete surprise,” stated Patricia Lavoie. “It was an honor just to have Senator Clegg at our Gala. The recognition by the New Hampshire Senate was just a wonderful surprise,” added Lavoie.

Thanks to the many generous local businesses who donated to the silent auction, the event raised over $6,500 which will be used to pay the costs for Southern NH Youth Ballet dancers to attend the Regional Dance America Northeast Festival in Dayton, Ohio in May of this year. SNHYB is a performing member of RDA Northeast, a nation-wide organization of pre-professional dance companies. SNHYB was officially evaluated in May 2005 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where the dancers had to take a ballet class and present two original works of choreography to all the current directors of RDA Northeast companies. “Our affiliation with RDA is a great opportunity for our dancers – not only are they exposed to the national dance community, they are seen by choreographers and directors from around the country. The opportunities for any talented young dancer are limitless with this kind of exposure,” stated Patricia Lavoie. SNHYB is the first and only company from New Hampshire to be invited into this prestigious organization.

Southern NH Youth Ballet would like to thank all the area businesses that donated to the Valentine Gala, including Michelle’s Gourmet Pastries & Deli, Edible Arrangements and Hannaford Supermarkets Bakery for donating all the fabulous desserts.

Regional Dance America
Regional Dance America (RDA) is a national association of ballet companies founded in 1988 to promote the artistic development of dance companies throughout the United States. The main objectives of RDA are: 1) to promote its mission on a national level; 2) to define and maintain the artistic standards of quality to which the regional organizations are held; 3) to provide uniformity of major policies amongst the five regions; 4) to provide access to high quality dance for all Americans. The impact of Regional Dance America is far-reaching: 92 companies; over 2,000 dancers from across the nation; over 1.5 million people in 481 counties attend RDA member performances. More importantly, out of the regional movement comes a steady stream of dance professionals. They are enriching our nation and the world. They will continue to do so in the years ahead. They are the future.