Introducing NESA Ballet: A New Home for Dance in the Upper Valley
With the recent closure of several long-standing dance studios across the Upper Valley, including Lebanon Ballet School, many families are asking the same question: What comes next?
At New England School of the Arts, we’re stepping forward with an answer.
We’re proud to introduce NESA Ballet, a full ballet studio program created to help meet a critical need for dance education in Lebanon and the broader Upper Valley. The program is designed to provide serious, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate training for dancers of all ages.
A Critical Moment for Dance in the Upper Valley
Over the past few years, the Upper Valley dance community has experienced significant change. The closures of Dancers’ Corner (2022), White River Ballet Academy (2024), and now Lebanon Ballet School mark the end of an era for many local families.
Together, these transitions have created a clear and urgent need for accessible, high-quality ballet education in our region.
NESA hopes to become a long-term home for ballet education in the Upper Valley, one that honors the strong dance traditions already established in the region while creating new opportunities for students to continue training, performing, and developing confidence, discipline, artistry, and belonging.
Led by Local Dancer and Educator Kassady Small
At the heart of NESA Ballet is Kassady Small, a professional dancer and educator with deep roots in the Upper Valley.
Kassady began her own training at Lebanon Ballet School at the age of two and has gone on to perform professionally with City Center Ballet and tour with Albany Berkshire Ballet. She holds a BFA in Dance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and currently teaches at Dartmouth College.
"It is an honor to help launch NESA Ballet," said Kassady Small, lead ballet instructor. "I grew up in the Upper Valley and began my own training at Lebanon Ballet School, and that experience was an incredible privilege. I hope to help extend that kind of serious, joyful, and supportive ballet education to future generations of dancers. While it has been difficult to see the recent closure of three area dance studios, I am grateful and excited to help lead this program at a moment when students and families are seeking strong ballet training, pre-professional pathways, and professional opportunities here in New England."
Kassady Small, Lead Instructor for NESA Ballet and Upper Valley Native
NESA Ballet is designed as a year-round classical ballet program in a supportive, inspiring environment for children, teens, and adults. Fall registration is now open, with placement support available for families seeking the right class level after recent changes in the local dance landscape.
A Program Designed for Growth
NESA Ballet will offer year-round training for students ages 3 through adult, including:
Discovery Dance for students and parents
Beginning Tap
Ballet Instruction from Ballet I to Advanced Pointe
Musical Theater
Workshops and performance opportunities
Adult classes and cross-disciplinary offerings
As part of NESA’s broader arts-integrated model, students will also have opportunities to connect their training to performance, collaboration, and creative exploration. In addition, we plan to offer Jazz and Modern dance classes in the future.
Start This June
As an entry point for families, NESA is launching a June Ballet Series, a three-week program designed to welcome new dancers, help with placement, and introduce our approach.
These small-group classes offer a supportive, high-quality experience for dancers at all levels during a time of transition in the local dance community.
Learn More & Register
Explore the June Ballet Series
Register for Fall Classes
Questions? Email jenniferchambers@nesarts.org
