Faculty

Amy Fortier, Artistic Director, received her earliest training with private instruction from Michele Leslie, a former ballerina with Dance Theatre of Harlem. Amy continued her training with the Boston Ballet on the professional track and received a scholarship to attend Walnut Hill School for the Arts, a boarding school for young artists in Natick, MA. Amy toured with the National Youth Ballet and performed at Lincoln Center, NYC. Amy spent her summers at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She graduated from Goucher College, Baltimore, MD., with a triple concentration in Dance, English Literature, and Art History, where she received an award for her dancing. Amy was given lead roles in pieces choreographed by dancers from the NYC Ballet, Ballet Austen, Nashville Ballet, and the Pennsylvania Ballet. In 2003, Fortier received her Master's Degree in Literature and Art History from the University of London where she was a fellowship scholar. In London, she continued training with dancers from the English National Ballet. Amy currently teaches Art History at SNHU and continues to perform in her dance company Ballet Misha.


Ashley Carrier graduated with her BA in dance from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. She is currently a part of a start up modern dance company called Vada Dance Collective that is based out of Philadelphia. Ashley has performed in the Philly Fringe Festival with Vada. She has also performed and choreographed for Dance Ensemble and Young Choreographers Series in college. Ashley was a member XTE (National Dance Honors Society) at DeSales. Some of the artists Ashley has worked with were Sean Curran, Eddie Taketa from the Doug Varone Company, and Trinette Singleton from Joffrey Ballet. She has also worked with David Parsons and his company members in New York City.

Mari Frederique-Streitburger graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Theater with an emphasis in dance. While at UNH she performed with the UNH Dance Company in the disciplines of ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. She also performed in theater productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and No No Nannette at UNH and at Prescott Park in Portsmouth. Mari has participated in community theater at the Palace Theater in A Chorus Line and the New Thalian Players Guys and Dolls. Mari is certified teacher through Dance Masters of America in Ballet , tap, jazz, and acrojazz. Through Dance Masters she has taken classes with Judith Jamison with the Alvin Ailey Dance Co, Bob Rizzo and Gus Giordano. Mari has been teaching dance for 20 years and has been with Dimensions since it's founder Michele Leslie concieved of it in 1996.

Jen Hammer, former director of Success Dance in Merrimack, NH attended the Kent state University Dance Teacher training where she was certified with Dance Masters of America. Jen directed the New England Children’s Dance Company from 1990-2001, where she received many awards for her choreography. She also choreographed the Greater Miss Derry Pageants from 1995-2001. Jen teaches Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Lyrical.

Mary Philippy has been studying dance for 25 years at various studios in the Manchester area. Mary began her ballet training with Michele Leslie and has worked in administration and as a substitute instructor for Dimensions in Dance. She has attended workshops/intensives throughout NH and MA studying with greats such as Brenda Buffalino and Bob Thomas. Mary is also the Volunteer Coordinator for the Palace Theatre in Manchester, NH. Mary worked for 10 years with community youth groups creating and coordinating activities for spiritual development.

Kate Spencer graduated from the University of New Hampshire where she received a BS degree and emphasis in dance. Kate has been actively involved in coaching and choreographing competition cheer routines for over 11 years for high school and youth programs. Kate’s 2008-09 Cheer team won State, Regional and National Champions. Kate has been teaching ballet, tap and jazz/hip hop at Dimension in Dance for six years.