Contributing Artists

Cora Paradiso became involved at AIR in February 2011 after learning about the organization through her job at Cardea Center for Well Being located in Greenland, NH. Serendipitously, a number of people working with AIR (board members, staff and volunteers) were also clients at Cardea. Cora was drawn to AIR through witnessing the passion that AIR supporters displayed for their work. Cardea strives to achieve a healthier body and mind for clients through an innovative chiropractic approach and a focus on caring for the individual in an effective and gentle way – in a very similar manner to AIR’s approach of mentoring teenage girls. Through AIR, Cora was able to combine her love and talent for photography with her growing interest in AIR’s mission. Her ideas on life align with AIR’s vision to build a community in which all girls are encouraged, supported and respected throughout their teenage years.
Cora first studied photography while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of New Hampshire. With the very first class, she fell in love. In her work with AIR, Cora strives to capture natural interactions between the girls when they aren’t aware of the camera for those are her chances to capture what AIR has to offer. Interacting with the girls brings Cora back to memories of her own experiences as a teenager. She says, “It’s fascinating to be brought back to that place by simply watching these girls be their genuine selves. AIR supports that beautifully. It’s so refreshing to see how AIR allows these girls to navigate such a tumultuous time in such a constructive way.” Keep a look out for Cora moving quickly around the stage at the next AIR performance, snapping beautiful photos of the AIR teens. Cora’s photography portfolio can be viewed at fermaphoto.tumblr.com.
 

Libby Page has been a theatre practitioner for over fifteen years. Along with a career in professional technical theatre, she studied acting in New York at Herbert Berghoff Studios, Lee Strasberg, and Ensemble Studio Theater. She has performed in and/or directed productions throughout New York, New England, and Ireland.

After several years as an actor, Libby became a theatre educator and continues to teach students of all ages. She also holds two degrees: A Bachelor of Arts from Smith College in English Literature and a Master of Letters in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance from the American Shakespeare Center at Mary Baldwin College. Her graduate thesis focused on utilizing Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and interdisciplinary education when teaching Shakespeare. Along with her work in theatre, Libby also spent seven years as a high school English teacher. 

 "I look forward to watching the young women discover their previously untapped gifts; finding inner strength will allow these young women to, in the words of Joseph Campbell, 'follow their bliss'"

Chelsea is an Occupational Therapy major and Education minor at the University of New Hampshire. Originally from West Hartford, Connecticut, she has been dancing for the past 17 years in the styles of tap, jazz, lyrical, and Broadway. During this time, Chelsea has been very grateful to have participated in performances such as Pops n' Jazz, the UNH Dance Showcase, and to have toured Europe with her dance troupe. Throughout the last 3 years she has had the great pleasure of working with the talented girls of Dance on Air and creating four incredible showcases. AIR has been very influential in her life and has helped solidify her desire to accomplish her future ambition of opening a similar arts program that focuses on embracing all performers, including those with disabilities.

"When I applied for this position, I had intended on being the teacher for a group of girls interested in dance; instead, I have enjoyed the past three years as a student to these extremely talented, intelligent and caring girls. Each class I teach, I learn more about the human spirit, the power of perseverance, and the undeniable excitement and pure enjoyment of a safe and supportive environment. For these lessons, I am incredibly grateful."

Erika Batdorf, an award winning alternative theatre artist, has created, performed, directed and choreographed original theater since 1983. Her work has appeared in Indonesia, South Korea, France, Switzerland, Copenhagen and across the USA including many NYC, Boston and Toronto venues. She has four Dora nominations (Toronto’s Toni’s) and was the 2007 Summerworks’ Jury Prize winner. Her work made the top ten theatre productions of the year twice- 2010 and 2006 in NOW magazine. Batdorf is an Associate Professor of theatre at York University. She has an eleven year old son, loves jigsaw puzzles and is thrilled to be back in Portsmouth where she studied and worked with Pontine Movement Theatre.

"In 2007 I performed in Indonesia and after my show I was surrounded by young women asking me 'how do I find my voice?'. I had no idea how to respond to these Moslem women, being from such a radically different culture. I took that question back with me to Canada and have been asking it ever since, in many ways. AIR seems the ideal place to continue to ask this critical question for all women today". 

Sharon is an interdisciplinary artist who holds an MFA from Goddard College in VT and a Masters of Education from Plymouth State University. She hails from Concord, NH and has been an actress, director, and undergraduate Theatre professor in the state for the past thirty years. She has studied and teacher-trained at the world-renowned Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Recent roles she has played are Lysistrata in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata and Tamora, Queen of the Goths in Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. Her recent directing credits include Marat/Sade and the musical Little Women for Plymouth State University. Sharon authored a chapter in the book Performing New Lives – Prison Theatre published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers entitled “From the Meanest Creature-Theatre as a Vehicle for Change”, which chronicles a portion of her time spent as a theatre facilitator at the NH State Prison for men. The book was published in October of this year.

“Working for AIR was breath of fresh air in many ways. I loved creating with these young female artists – their curiosity, boundless energy and passion was infectious. They inspired me to be my best each and every day I was with them. I felt that together we could have done anything we put our minds to and I was extremely proud of our final project. Each and every girl contributed to the best of their ability and that was phenomenal!”

Nicolette Fields is 26 year old graduate from Texas Woman’s University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Dance. She has had the honor of using her performing arts skills to help out her community. She is a highly talented dancer with extensive experience in the use of movement, gesture and body language to portray a character, and she is trained in Jazz, Modern, and Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and African dance. Nikki worked as the choreographer for Summer 2010 TheatreWorks and will join AIR again in the summer of 2011.

“Working with AIR has been a rewarding experience! Helping these young girls shine bright makes me happy. I like to share my passion with the world!”

Contributing Artist for The Phenomenal Women Project

Deb Wheeler-Bean is a teaching artist from Exeter, NH. She began her career as a freelance photographer before finding her life’s work: teaching children how to retain their creative intelligence.

Deb’s work has evolved and changed over the years: from photographs to handmade books, from books to found object collages. Her material of choice right now is anything she finds at her feet during one of her daily walks combined with remarkable language. Deb is a graduate from White Pines College (AA), NH Institute of Art (BFA) and Lesley University (MEd). She is leading the Phenomenal Women Project with Janaki Lennie.  

Shannon Marshall, AIR's Program Director, comments "We are grateful for the contribution of these two extremely talented and caring artists.  Deb and Janaki have been more than generous with their time and commitment to AIR teens."

Janaki Lennie will be one of two contributing artists leading the Phenomenal Women Project held in February and March 2011.  Janaki is a visual artist whose work focuses on the human impact on our natural environment.  Her unique viewpoint is influenced by her urban surroundings and favorite activities of flying, sea kayaking, and scuba diving.

Lennie was born in Melbourne and grew up in suburban Perth, Western Australia.  She moved to Houston, Texas in 1994, and relocated to Portsmouth, NH in 2009. She earned a BFA from Curtin University, Western Australia and MFA from the University of Houston. She has had solo exhibitions in Australia, Canada, and the US and is represented in museum, corporate, and private collections in the US, Australia, and Canada. She has been commissioned to produce large-scale paintings for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the University of Houston, and has received several awards including fellowships at the MacDowell Colony, the Milton and Sally Avery Fellowship, Telecom Australia Open Drawing Prize, Art in Embassies Program, and the Creative Capital Professional Development Fellowship. She always enjoys sharing her passion for creativity with people of all ages.  More information about Janaki can be found on her website, www.janakilennie.com

Jessica Purdy has an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College where she also taught writing and was a reader for Ploughshares. She has a BA in English and Studio Art from UNH. Her poetry has appeared in literarymama.com, "What is Home" (the 2007 Portsmouth Poet Laureate program’s publication), Ethereal Dances, Analecta, The Beacon Street Review, and Main Street magazine.  Jessica lives in Exeter, NH with her husband and two children. She runs poetry workshops in downtown Exeter (exeterpoetry.com) and facilitates weekend writing retreats on Cape Cod. She also teaches visual arts at Exeter Center for Creative Arts. Jessica Purdy facilitated the poetry workshops for AIR's 2010 "Picture Poets" program and called it a “dream come true”.  She continues her association with AIR and dedicated time in 2011 to the Phenomenal Women Project by leading poetry and mentoring exercises. 

“Poetry has had a profound impact on my life, especially when I was going through adolescence. It is my hope that I helped the girls in AIR experience some of that joy. I feel honored to be a part of this wonderful arts program for girls.”

Ayanna Gallant has a true passion for arts in the community. She has been a music and poetry artistic leader for non-profit groups Arts in Reach, Jazzmouth, and With Open Minds. She teaches poetry workshops for youth and adults in schools and most recently, for the Seacoast Writer’s Association and the Phenomenal Women Project at AIR.

Everyday she feels lucky to share her love for the arts as a music teacher at the Deerfield Community School in Deerfield, NH. Gallant earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of New Hampshire for Music Education and also holds a Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Arts Integration. Fancy degrees aside, Ayanna credits her students, colleagues and New England poetry family for teaching her about the things that matter most, creating and learning. 

Susan Lamontagne performed on Broadway in the original Tony Award winning, Fosse as well as Merry Widow and Cats, and toured the US and Europe with numerous productions. Susan will lead the February school vacation program, AIR Divas at the Mic.  She'll have fun with the teens practicing a variety of choral music and exploring the concept of rhythm.

As a professional performer for over 21 years, she considers herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to study with some greats such as Gwen Verdon, Anne Reinking, and Ben Vareen.

“It is an honor and a joy to pass on the techniques and styles of these amazing teachers to young girls who love to sing or may even dream of one day being on stage,” says Lamontagne.  

Valerie graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 with a degree in Music Education. She had the great fortune to do her student teaching at Lincoln Street Elementary School in Exeter, NH, which awakened her intense wish to be a teacher and mentor. Currently, Valerie is working with people with disabilities while searching for a full-time position as a music teacher.

Valerie started playing piano at age nine, and although she has played various other instruments throughout her life, piano has always been nearest to her heart. She especially loves vocal accompaniment and performs regularly in the Seacoast area. After teaching for a number of years, Valerie hopes to attend graduate school to study chamber music.

"When Shannon interviewed me to work for AIR, I couldn't help but feel that the AIR philosophy was completely aligned with my own. By having the chance to encourage young women, I, too, benefited in ways I never expected. I am humbled and delighted to have had this opportunity!"

Monique Peaslee graduated magna cum laude from New England College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater. While at NEC she focused on performance and enjoyed lead roles in many plays including The Lion in Winter, Mother Courage and Her Children, Sylvia, and Prides Crossing. She then attended The Actor’s Studio Drama School in New York City where she continued her focus on acting. In 2004 Monique attended New York University where she received her Master of Arts in Educational Theater. In 2006 she returned to New England to fulfill the role of Director of Education at Northern Stage Theater Company in VT. While at Northern Stage, Monique implemented a multi-state 5th & 6th grade in-school playwriting residency that received national acclaim.  She also designed and taught various theater classes for children and adults. After Northern Stage, Monique worked as the Arts & Education Coordinator at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Monique has taught theater classes for Dartmouth as part of their Miniversity program and has led Arts in Education workshops for Dartmouth education classes, the Upper Valley Business and Education Partnership, and regional consortiums. She served as a board member of Arts Presenters of Northern New England and is currently working as the Director of the Seacoast Repertory Theatre’s new Teen Theater Ensemble.

“Working with the young women of AIR has stretched and challenged me as a teacher in such amazing ways. The creativity and spirit of this group seems to know no bounds.”

Jennifer Nolan is a senior Theatre Education major at the University of New Hampshire. She grew up in a house full of music and theatre and wanted to be able to bring that same love of the arts to students. Next year she hopes to be performing at Disney World and one day wants to open her own theatre company; giving school age students a place to learn and excel at their craft.

“The thing I loved most about working at AIR was I could see so much of myself in the girls...I was shy, I was awkward, I was never Miss Popular. Theatre gave me an escape and I loved being a part of what these girls used as their emotional outlet."