Dancing with the Lake Sunapee Stars is an annual benefit event that supports the Center for the Arts Scholarship Fund. Held on May 11 at Kearsarge Regional High School Auditorium, a select group of “Stars” and professional dancers will perform their chosen dances for the audience. Guest judges evaluate each dance live and the audience votes to decide which couple will take home the coveted “People Choice Award”. This year’s “Stars” are; Kearsarge Regional High School physics teacher Brian Kellogg; Bar Harbor Bank Manager, Rob Kier; Fiserv Client Partner, Amber Gest Palumbo; and KRHS graduate Brain Callaghan.
Brian Kellogg is a Kearsarge Regional High School physics teacher who lives in Sutton Mills with his wife, Kerry, and two children, Aidan and Maggie. Brian has taught physics at Kearsarge Regional High School for 11 years and holds a Ph.D. in physics from UGA. Fitting to his background Brian and his Partner Renee Patten will be performing the Cha Cha to “She Blinded me with Science”.
Dancing with the Lake Sunapee Stars marks Rob Kier’s auspicious return to the stage after several years off from choral performances and musical theater. Rob is an enthusiastic supporter and advocate for the local arts scene with a background in literature and creative writing. He currently works for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust in New London. This will be Rob’s first performance as a dancer and he will be dancing the Paso Doble with Partner Kristi Upton
Amber Gest Palumbo is a joyous local celebrity, who lives in the beautiful town of Wilmot with her selectman husband, Gary; her two children Bella and Bradley; and her two Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Etta and OscarWaffles By day, Amber helps financial institutions process, track, and move money. She is often in a plane headed to a client, where she strategizes on digital transformation and real time payments with her credit union clients. By night, Amber is a Lester Holt junkie and a closet pop star. Even though her 9 year-old daughter believes she is embarrassing and the furthest thing from cool, Amber is here to prove that she is the epitome of cool. She is an avid supporter of the arts, and has played in numerous musicals with KCPA. Amber will be dancing the Tango with her Partner Gary Stanhope.
Brian Callaghan is a 2018 graduate of Kearsarge Regional High School. He has developed a love for entertainment having performed as Peter in the local production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Brian will be dancing Jazz with Partner Emily Swindell.
Please join us for this amazing, fun, and exciting event, and you too can help a young person follow their dreams of becoming a professional artist. Tickets are on sale at Morgan Hill Bookstore, Tatewell Gallery and online at www.CenterfortheartsNH.org.