Director's Note
Director's Note: The Elegant Beauty of the Macabre
I know, I know—it's Fall! For some of you, that means the return of pumpkin spice lattes and crisp, cool air. For others, it's the start of an exhilarating season of fall sports. And while those are grand, you'll have to forgive me... I am SO ready for Spooky Season!
Yes, I am one of those. I simply adore the beauty of the macabre, the things that hold a kind of dark innocence about them.
My fascination runs deep. When I was teaching, I always had a little plastic skeleton perched behind my desk. When students would inevitably ask why, I'd share my philosophy: I love skeletons and skulls (and yes, you will find them in my office all year long!) because they are the great equalizer.
Think about it: every single one of us has one. When you strip away all of the layers that define us on the surface—our clothes, our skin, our life experiences—you are left with the fundamental structure of who we are. Only a medically trained eye could begin to determine things like age or gender from a skull or skeleton. In that basic, beautiful structure, all of our individual differences melt away.
It truly speaks to our commonality and to the fundamental human condition. We are all the same, built on the same framework, and destined to share the same fate.
So, while the rest of the world is busy carving grinning pumpkins, I'll be enjoying the elegant beauty, the profound message, and the dark wonder of the season. I hope you and your family have a wonderful and perhaps a little wonderfully spooky October!
Art of the Week
Student Artwork of the Week
What an unforgettable week for our NESA students! Thanks to a wonderful collaboration between the Majestic Empire Foundation and ATG Entertainment, our Musical Theater majors participated in a truly exclusive masterclass with a Broadway star.
We were honored to join Jim Hogan, a talented member of the touring cast of the hit Broadway show Kimberly Akimbo. (For those of you who attended the show last week—and we saw quite a few NESA families there, yay!—Jim played the role of Buddy, Kimberly's Dad.)
Jim is a seasoned Broadway veteran with multiple credits to his name, and he’s also a member of the nationally recognized a cappella group T.3 (you can check them out at t3official.com/about). He brought his passion and expertise to us at the ESPEE Theater!
A Cappella Excellence: Setting a New Standard
The masterclass began with a dynamic music session. Jim taught the students a complex a cappella arrangement of "Hallelujah."
It was a challenging piece, but our students rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. Jim commented that not only was this the biggest group he had ever taught this arrangement to, but they also picked it up the fastest! The students were so focused and quick to learn that Jim kept teaching! He usually has to stop the lesson at a certain point due to time constraints, but he was so impressed with our students that he taught them the entire next section of the song.
The video of one of their final run-throughs is posted with this article—make sure you watch it to see their amazing work in action! (please forgive the videography, I was walking around them)
Inspiration and Insight from a Working Pro
Following the music session, Jim sat down with the students for an open and engaging Q&A. This was a chance for our students to peek behind the curtain of a professional performing career.
The questions were wide-ranging, covering everything from his favorite shows to the realities of balancing an acting career with a recording career in a group like T.3. Jim was not only gracious with his time and answers, but he was genuinely enthusiastic about sharing his journey and mentoring the next generation of performers. His passion was truly infectious.
Opportunities like this are invaluable, giving our students real-world connections and inspiration from working professionals at the highest level of the industry.
A huge thank you again to the Majestic Empire Foundation and ATG Entertainment for making this phenomenal experience possible! It’s clear that the future of performing arts is bright with our NESA students leading the way!
Sat
Coming Soon
Coming soon
- Oct 8 - Nov 12 AP Payment Window for Fall Open (Significantly less of a price if you pay during this spring window 😉)
- Oct 9 Instrumental Music Fall Recital 7PM
- Oct 10/11 7:00 PM Creative Writing Cross Major Show Zenith
- Oct 14/15 Senior Portraits in the PERC
- Oct 15 - 20 NESA Film students in NYC!!!!
- Oct 17 6PM Fall Into Place Art Show in the Legacy Historic Gallery
- Oct 18 9-Noon NESA Dance Workshop (put on by our NESA Dancers)
- Oct 23 PSAT (9-11th Grade, Free😎)
- Nov 7-9 & 14-16 Guys and Dolls
- Nov 13 pARTners Meeting Featuring Visual Artists!
pARTners News
HOME | nesapartners
Ending Tuesday!!! pARTners is selling the most deeeeelicious popcorn!
Help them fundraise, and nibble along the way.
If you want to take part in the SAEF Scholarships, you MUST be a pARTners member by Tuesday!
Your regular pARTners message will return soon 😎
News and links
NESA Dance Workshop
NESA Dance will be hosting the 1st annual NESA Dance Workshop on Saturday, October 18 from 9am-12noon. The students will learn dance combinations in our studios, get a t-shirt, and perform on the NESA stage for their family and friends at 11:30am. If you know anyone who would be interested, please let them know. Must register by October 1 to receive a t-shirt.
LEE PTSA Tailgate
For my sports fans: It’s that time of year again—football season is here, and so is our 5th Annual Community Tailgate hosted by the LEE PTSA! We’re excited to invite you and your school community to join us:
📅 Saturday, November 1st 🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Jerry Comalander Stadium 12002 Jones Maltsberger Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216
This free event is open to all families, teachers, staff, and PTA members.
🍴 FREE hot dogs and drinks will be available for all attendees (while supplies last).
Tutoring Schedule
Guys,
I have been there. I have buried my head in the sand when I felt like I was falling behind or getting overwhelmed. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE. Burying your head in the sand will get you NOWHERE. Linked below is the tutoring schedule for LEE. Don't procrastinate. Go to tutoring AS SOON as you don't understand something.
Hint from an old lady:
When I didn't understand something from my primary teacher or professor, I would sometimes go to a tutoring session of a different teacher or professor, and the way they explained it made SO MUCH more sense! Not that my primary teacher or professor was bad, they were fantastic! It sometimes just takes a different way of saying something for it to click.
Testing Corner
Testing with Mr. Goodwin
- Oct 23 PSAT (9-11th Grade, Free😎)
- Nov 6 ACT (Seniors will have to sign up and pay for it)
- Feb 4- March 4 AP Payment Window for Spring Opens
- Mar 5 SAT (Juniors, Free😎)
- May 4-8, and 11-15 AP Testing Mr. Goodwin's testing and CCMR Smore link is below
Scavenger Hunt
Tricks and Treats!
For the month of October, if I am in my office, please feel free to stop by and give me something spooky! Please nothing of monetary value... I would love your art, your poetry, fun skits, spooky stickers, and neat stuff like that. I just might have a treat to give to you in return!