Longtime faculty member and professionally trained dancer Amanda Bertone takes the helm as Owner and Artistic Director, bringing new opportunities to dancers while preserving the school’s classical foundation
NORTH READING, MA — North Reading School of Ballet (NRSB), the area’s premier school for classical ballet training, is celebrating its 30th anniversary under the leadership of Amanda Bertone, the school’s new Owner and Artistic Director.
Founded in 1996 by Lisa Pulver, NRSB has built a reputation for excellence in classical ballet training while fostering generations of dancers from North Reading and surrounding communities. Most recently led by Suzanne Baker, the school transitioned to new ownership at the start of the 2026-27 season when Bertone took the helm.
Bertone brings more than two decades of dance teaching experience as well as an extensive background in arts education and administration to the role. A professionally trained dancer, she studied at E. Virginia Williams School of Dance, Northeast School of Ballet, and José Mateo Ballet Theatre before receiving a merit scholarship to attend Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA. She went on to perform leading roles in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and original works by Sam Kurkjian, Diane Arvanites, and Samantha Shelton. She later spent three seasons performing principal roles with Tony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker, including the Sugar Plum Fairy. Her additional training includes Boston Ballet and The Boston Conservatory.
Bertone’s connection to dance education also extends beyond the studio. She previously served as Assistant Director of Admission at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, where she auditioned and recruited hundreds of young dancers from across the country while also teaching ballet at the school’s Community Dance Academy and Summer Youth Dance programs. She has also worked for Boston Ballet’s CityDance program as well as various other dance schools throughout the Greater Boston area. She has been a member of the NRSB faculty since 2018, teaching a variety of ages and styles, choreographing new works, and staging classical ballets including Cinderella, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Don Quixote.
As NRSB enters its fourth decade, Bertone plans to preserve the strong classical foundation and high standard of training that have defined the school while expanding the opportunities available to its dancers. “NRSB has been an important part of this community for 30 years, and I feel incredibly fortunate to carry forward its legacy,” said Bertone. “My goal isn’t to change what has made NRSB special. We will remain a classical ballet-focused school with the same commitment to quality training, while finding new ways to broaden our students’ experiences and expose them to exceptional artists, teachers, and opportunities.”
A key part of that vision is drawing upon Bertone’s connections in the Greater Boston and New York dance communities to bring established guest teachers, choreographers, and professional artists into the studio. These experiences will complement students’ regular training and give dancers the opportunity to learn from a wider range of voices and perspectives that are often limited at smaller, local studios.
“I began my own dance training at local schools, so I know firsthand how important it is for young dancers to have access to exceptional training and artists close to home,” said Bertone. “One of my priorities is to bring accomplished teachers, choreographers, and professional dancers from Boston, New York, and beyond directly into our studios. Families shouldn’t have to travel into the city for their dancers to be exposed to master teachers and high-level training. I want NRSB to be a place where students can access those experiences right here in their own community.”
NRSB is also expanding opportunities for dancers at every stage of life. In addition to classical ballet, NRSB offers training starting at just 18 months of age and a variety of dance styles including pointe, modern, jazz, tap, contemporary/lyrical, musical theater, and more. The school’s growing Adult Dance Program now offers a robust schedule of evening and morning classes—including ballet, modern, and tap—for a range of experience levels.
For Bertone, the transition represents both a continuation of NRSB’s history and an opportunity to build upon it. “As we celebrate 30 years, I want our longtime families and alumni to recognize the school they know and love, while also feeling the excitement of what comes next,” Bertone said. “While not every dancer will become a professional, our students gain the confidence, discipline, and determination needed to succeed in whatever path they ultimately choose.”
About North Reading School of Ballet
Founded in 1996, North Reading School of Ballet provides high-quality dance education for children, teens, and adults in North Reading and surrounding communities. With classical ballet at the foundation of its training, NRSB offers instruction in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, tap, and more. The school is dedicated to developing strong technique, artistry, and a lifelong love of dance in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
