Meet the Founders!
Passion Dance Project was founded by Gabrielle Suleiman and Caitlin Craven in July of 2024. Being former members of the UNH Dance Company and being deeply rooted in the New Hampshire Seacoast dance community, the pair wanted to create a local opportunity for adult dancers. Learn more about the founders below!
Gabby Suleiman
Gabby is a graduate from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor's in Dance with two minors in Business Administration and Psychology. She started dancing when she was only 4 years old, and became a teaching assist at 15, sparking her passion to become a dance teacher and choreographer. She was a part of the UNH Jazz, Tap, Aerial Company for all 4 years serving as one of the captains her senior year. In college she studied under Gay Nardone, Mary Beth Marino, Susan Endrizzi and Assaf Benchetrit. She currently teaches at Belletete Ballet Studio, teaching in the styles of Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Young Childrens, Aerial and is the director of their competition team! She also teaches beginner Aerial at UNH. Her favorite style of dance is Tap and she can most likely be caught doing shuffles while grocery shopping. She hopes this next project will bring new friendships and opportunities!
Caitlin Craven
For both her undergraduate and graduate degrees Caitlin attended the University of New Hampshire. While earning her Bachelor's in Educational Studies & Psychology and Master's in Elementary Education, Caitlin was also a part of the UNH Dance Company. For four years she trained in the styles of jazz, tap, and aerial under the teachings of Gay Nardone and Mary Beth Marino. Caitlin served as co-captain of the company during her senior year (2022-2023) alongside Gabby. During her time in the UNH dance program, she was a part of the college’s first ever certification course in becoming an aerial dance instructor.
For four years Caitlin has been a tap, aerial, and young children's dance teacher at Sole City Dance in Somersworth, NH. She has also choreographed for the Solstice Dance Company at Sole City Dance. Caitlin could not be more excited to start this journey with Passion Dance Project!
