New England School of the Arts

09/17/2026

🩰 Teacher Spotlight: Jennifer Guess

Meet Jennifer Guess, one of the founding members of NESA and an accomplished dance educator and coach specializing in technical training and performance preparation.

Jennifer is classically trained in the Vaganova method of ballet, modern techniques including Horton and Graham, and jazz styles including Luigi, Maddox, and Hachett. A 1989 graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, she also supplemented her training with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre from 1985–1991.

Jennifer’s professional career took her from the dance studio to the runways and stages of New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Represented by the Campbell Agency in Dallas and Fontaine Agency in Los Angeles, she worked in runway, print, editorial, catalog, and commercial television advertising.

Today, Jennifer brings that breadth of professional experience to her students—combining strong technical foundations, artistry, confidence, and performance preparation.

We are so happy to have Jennifer sharing her experience, passion, and artistry with the NESA Ballet community. 💗

BalletTraining DanceTeacher ArtsEducation UpperValley LebanonNH NewEnglandSchoolOfTheArts

09/17/2026

As we begin our school year New England School of the Arts, we are enjoying singing in our beautiful acoustic hallway and working to unify our vowels and blend as an ensemble. What a beautiful start to the 2026-2027 school year!

09/17/2026

We’re excited to be part of LebFest 2026! 🎉
Come find us at Booth 106 Colburn Park on Saturday, September 19 from 11 AM–3 PM.
LebFest is a FREE community celebration with live entertainment, family activities, games, raffles, vendors, food, a live animal presentation, the Mac & Cheese Competition and much more.
We’ll have a booth at the event, so make sure you stop by and say hello!
Bring your friends. Bring the family. Come hungry. 🧀
We’ll see you there!

https://www.uppervalleybusinessalliance.com/2026/09/19/588175/lebfest-2026/

09/16/2026

Our middle school science class welcomed developmental biologist Dr. Christopher Lassiter today. Students learned about his research using zebrafish to explore how embryos develop, with connections to our study of cells and genetics.

We also talked about life as a scientist and how curiosity and creativity help drive scientific discovery. His college course “How to Build a Dinosaur,” which he teaches at Roanoke College, was a fun reminder of how those interests can come together!

Thank you, Dr. Lassiter, for sharing your time and research, answering our students’ questions, and bringing science beyond the classroom!

The visit was a wonderful reminder that the arts and sciences are more connected than we sometimes realize. Whether creating art or investigating how life develops, asking questions, imagining possibilities, and thinking creatively are essential in every field.
Photo source: Roanoke College, “Student-faculty biology research results in published study” (May 9, 2024).

09/12/2026

In honor of this tragic day in history here is a less well known artists beautiful offering to honor the lives of those we lost in this tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our country and the families and friends who lost loved ones.

I'll Always Remember

09/11/2026

We’re honored to be featured in the Fall 2026 issue of The Lebanon Times!

The article, “The NESA Ballet Hosts an Inclusive Space for Dance,” beautifully highlights what we hope to create at NESA Ballet: a place where students can receive exceptional dance instruction while feeling welcomed, supported, challenged, and free to be themselves.

With more than 120 students already dancing with us this year, we’re grateful to the Upper Valley families who have helped make NESA Ballet such a wonderful community, and to our talented faculty, including Lead Instructor Kassady Small, who bring experience, care, and artistry into the studio every day.

We’re proud to help continue the Upper Valley’s rich tradition of dance education while creating something distinctly NESA: excellent training, an inclusive community, and a place for every student to grow as both an artist and a person.

Thank you to Lebanon Times for sharing our story. ❤️

Come dance with us! So proud of you Kassady Small and our whole dance team Jennifer Guess Susan and Chris Lamontagne Denise Frawley Sophia Lurie

DanceEducation ArtsEducation InclusiveDance SupportTheArts DanceCommunity

09/10/2026

We had some pumpkin-spiced science fun this morning with the Montshire Museum! Students examined pumpkin leaves, sunflower petals, hair, and cheek cells under microscopes. Thank you to the Montshire Museum for bringing this amazing experience to our students! Curious about the unique learning opportunities at our school? Come see what makes NESA so special!

09/09/2026

Registration is officially open for
New England School of the Arts Holiday Makers Day Camp, December 21 & 22! Kids ages 4–12 can spend one or both days creating, building, playing, and celebrating with holiday art & crafts, games, gift-making, and lots of festive fun—while parents get a little extra time during one of the busiest weeks of the year!
December 21 & 22
8:30 AM–3:30PM
NESA 9 Hanover Street, Suite 2 Lebanon NH 03766
Cost: $100 per day
🎁 Register for one or both days!
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Learn more & register:
https://www.nesarts.org/about-holidaycamp-1

09/04/2026

As we bring our first week of dance to a close we want to thank our community partners who made the August 31st start possible. Thank you to Junction Dance Boutique for providing all of our dance attire, thank you CCBA for renting space to us, and thank you North Country Community Theater (NCCT) for renting space to us. We can't wait to get into our newly renovated studio at 22 Hanover Street but for now these partnerships are making the launch of NESA Ballet possible! We appreciate all of you.