By Curt Peterson
Hartland resident Charles Bestard was splitting firewood for seniors when he mentioned a brand new school in Lebanon that’s focused on students yearning for exposure to and learning about visual and performing arts.
“During the pandemic, arts programs lost out,” principal and founder of the New England School of the Arts (NESA) Jennifer Chambers explained. “Students were able to continue their other studies remotely or in staggered in-person school days, but visual and performance arts were sidelined.”
When the pandemic was over, Chambers, who is Bestard’s sister-in-law, and her husband, Carl, perceived a need for an independent school for students needing to exercise their creativity. The first eight day-students began classes the fall of 2023 in an urban setting behind iconic Three Tomatoes restaurant. Not easy to find, but worth the effort. This fall NESA opened admissions for grades 6-8.
Currently students come from Vermont (Bradford) and New Hampshire (Plainfield, Lebanon and Claremont) but a recent Open House produced 10 new applicants. The founders hope when word gets out more students will come from the Route 4 corridor.
Chambers told the Mountain Times their hope is to eventually serve 100 students.
During the summer NESA provides six 1-week camp sessions. After-school programs include modern dance for grades 4-7, special effects, mask-making and casting for grades 3-8, and general creative arts available for all grades K-12. Session attendance varied from 30 to 70 students.
Chambers said she appreciates experienced advice from Carl, who is principal at Mt. Prospect Academy in Keene, whom she originally met in New York City, where, after teaching in London, England, she taught music at Marymount School of New York. Moving north, Chambers taught at Hanover High School for 11 years. The couple lives in Etna, New Hampshire with their three children, ages 9, 16 and 17 1/2.
Chambers’ original dream was to be an opera singer, and pursued the dream at DePaul University, then switched to education and achieved a masters degree in vocal performance at Hunter College.
When she conceived of NESA, she discovered one of her fortes is fundraising, a necessary skill when founding a new school.
“Most helpful was early significant support from the Dorothy Byrne Foundation,” Chambers said.
NESA enjoys collaboration with other organizations. Their pupils thrive on regular exposure to different off-campus lifestyles and activities provided by the Stewardship Center, AVA Gallery and Art Center, CCBA Recreation Center (pool), Upper Valley Baroque (music), and on-campus visits by Michael Albrecht (comic artist) and other arts-oriented influencers.
“All these resources and activities are tied in with the students’ academic courses,” Chambers said. “We also toured Fuji Film Corp., and had a demonstration of Civilian Response to Active Shooter in School (CRASE) at the Lebanon Police Dept.”
Students have a group called “Triple Threat Troupe” that performs acting, singing and dancing for, and sometimes with, other organizations.
NESA provides a New Hampshire-approved curriculum of standard courses. Languages include French and Spanish. Prospective students submit arts projects with their entry applications.
“Most importantly, the kids are nice kids. They’re kind kids,” Chambers said.
Tuition is $29,500 with some financial aid available. Eventually boarding will be provided for distanced students, although the logistics are yet to be formulated.
“When we have 25 students, the school will be self-sustaining,” Chambers said. “The 100-student wish will take five to 10 years to materialize. The important thing is, we are filling a need in the Upper Valley.”
For more information, visit: NESArt.org.
Images courtesy NESArt
