MS. NEW HAMPSHIRE SENIOR AMERICA 2013,
BARBARA DANAIS

CONGRATULATIONS to BARBARA DANAIS, Ms. New Hampshire 2013!

Born and raised in New Jersey, Barbara Danais moved to New Hampshire in 1978. She has three children and four grandchildren.

At the age of forty-eight, Barbara earned her Associate in Science degree in Business Administration, with highest honors, from the University of New Hampshire and pursued her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at the University of New Hampshire and Florida Atlantic University. She presented her research at DEPAUW University’s Under Graduate Communication Honor’s Conference in 1994, received the "Writing Across the Curriculum" award from UNHM in 1995, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honor society in 1995.

Barbara’s role as the Director of Human Resources allowed her to expand her organization and communication skills. While composing training seminars, publishing newsletters, and presenting motivational speeches were rewarding, it was Barbara’s knack for making people feel at ease that enabled them to take her words to heart.

Music and dancing have always been Barbara’s passion. Growing up, her holidays included singing accompanied by unconventional instruments like strumming a broom or blowing on a comb wrapped in wax paper. Barbara modified that tradition in her music therapy groups where she creates, produces, and choreographs vaudeville style shows for the memory impaired. Barbara believes that music is magical because unresponsive patients tap their feet to the beat of her songs. Whether she was singing Girl Scout songs or being the stage manager/ choreographer for the Vienna, VA, Light Opera Company, if there is music, Barbara is there.

Barbara is excited to be a part of MS. Senior America because she thrives on new opportunities to inspire seniors to achieve their "optimal enjoyment of life."