Instructors
Patricia Walker - Artistic Director Artistic Director Patricia Walker began the study of Ballet at the age of  nine in Los Angeles, California. After moving to Atlanta, Georgia she continued her studies with the former soloist, Karen Conrad, at the American Ballet Theater. In college at Georgia State College and University she studied and performed with the University's dance company which toured throughout the south east. In addition she has studied with Hanya Holm and at the Martha Graham School in New York City. After graduating from Emory University she moved to Hopkinton where she began teaching ballet and modern dance for the local Recreation Department. At the same time she developed a program of dance for the Concord YMCA to enhance the gymnastic program. In 1980 she began a program in ballet and modern dance for the City of Concord Recreation Department. In 1984 she separated the school from the city and Petit Papillon School of Ballet was founded. The school became incorporated as a non-profit community school in 1985. During this same time Pat organized a Sacred Dance Choir which participated in services at both the First Congregational Church and St. Andrew's Episcopal church in Hopkinton. In addition this group toured extensively throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts to participate in services of worship, concerts and festivals. With her group she attended many regional and national conventions on the use of the performing arts within church worship and assisted with the organization and implementation of numerous workshops for New England. Pat has extensively studied the Russian Vaganova Syllabus for the education of students in classical ballet technique and performance. She has attended multiple seminars given by the noted educator John White in Narberth, PA. In addition she attended seminars given at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Ballet curriculum at Petit Papillon is based upon the Russian Vaganova Syllabus and has proven to be highly successful in producing students who excel in technique, creativity and performance in all dance forms. It is considered to be the finest syllabus available for creating a strong foundation for continued study of all dance forms. Kelly Doremus Stuart - Associate Artistic Director Kelly began her dance studies as a young child and performed as a teenager with a regional ballet company in upstate N.Y. She received her B.S. in dance with a concentration in Dance Therapy from Skidmore College. Kelly became a roster artist and trainer with VSA arts of New Hampshire in 1986 and has been a teaching artist with the N.H. State Council on the Arts, Artist-in-Education roster since 1991. She has extensive experience working with students of all ages and abilities in a wide range of venues. Her role as a mother of a child with disabilities had informed and enriched her work as a teaching artist. Kelly was a founding member and served several terms as president of the statewide networking organization the New Hampshire Dance Alliance (1990 - 2000). She currently serves on the faculty of New England College as a dance/movement instructor and choreographer for theatre productions and dance concerts. She is the Associate Artistic Director/Choreographer for Petit Papillion, The Children's Ballet Theatre of NH, creating original children's productions in collaboration with storytellers, musicians, visual artists and mask makers. In November 2000 Kelly received the Outstanding Professional Award for Dance from the New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. This award is intended to honor a dance educator who has brought expertise and therefore, credibility to the field of Educational Dance through exemplary teaching in this discipline. Kelly was a core task force member for the N.H. Department of Education's Curriculum Framework for the Arts serving as a writer of the Dance Standards.				Debbie Ellison- Creative Movement Deb graduated from UMASS Amherst with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a specialty in dance. While there she performed with the University of Massachusetts Dance Company. Her past teaching experiences began with her work with the Peace Corps in Guatemala where she taught physical education, theater and dance and finally nutrition. From 1981-1985, she designed and taught a pre and post natal exercise program while pregnant herself . She came to New Hampshire and taught aerobics at the Contoocook Community Center and at St. Paul's School. She also worked and taught CPR and First Aid for the Concord Area Chapter of the Red Cross. She began teaching Creative Movement in Western Massachusetts in the 1980's for a preschool in her neighborhood and upon moving to New Hampshire continued to teach at various nursery schools and daycare centers in the area and at one point worked closely with Rae Pica, a local author and specialist in the area of early childhood movement. She has worked with children at Petit Papillon for more than 15 years, and is pleased to agree with her daughter Kate, a past Petit Papillon student and a member of the Children's Ballet Theater of New Hampshire who feels that her experiences with the school were incredibly important to the positive quality of her adolescence. Liz Durant-Pilates Liz Durant, founder of InBalance Fitness, is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Group Exercise Instructor.  She currently teaches running, spinning, and strength classes at the Racquet Club of Concord as well as other locations in the Concord Area.  As a personal trainer, she creates fitness plans for both individuals and small groups. Liz graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in Accounting.  She worked for 12 years in Accounting and Finance until leaving to stay at home and raise 3 children.  During her years as an at home mother, she was involved in the Junior League as a volunteer and Board of Directors member; homeowners association president; PTA volunteer and Board Member; National Charity League member; Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Association Representative as well as other committee chair positions. As an avid runner, she has completed 12 marathons and many shorter races as well as 6 triathlons.  She has also coached soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Holly Gagne-Beginning Ballet A graduate of Keene State College, Holly is certified in New Hampshire to teach Elementary and Special Education. Her graduate work is in reading and writing. She is also a trained Reading Recovery teacher and is certified to teach the Wilson Reading Program. She is a Learning Disabilities Specialist and currently is a Special Education teacher for the Andover School District working with students from preschool to grade five. Holly has taught for Petit Papillon for 15 years. During that time she has taught classes in creative movement, ballet and beginning modern dance. She also served as Treasurer for the Board of Directors for two years. For the past seven years she has been a trustee of the Hopkinton Town Library and presently serves as it’s treasurer. She is a parent of 3 great children. The youngest now attends Rider University in NJ. The middle is graduating from Montana State in December 2007. The oldest is working on his MBA at Southern New Hampshire University while working full time in Manchester for Summit Packaging.