For Immediate Release

Friday, Jan. 18, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Kearsarge Music Teacher Nicole Densmore Receives Community Member of the Year Award

NEW LONDON – Superintendent Winfried Feneberg is pleased to announce that music teacher Nicole Densmore received the 2018 Community Member of the Year award from the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce earlier this week.

Densmore is the music teacher at the Regional Elementary School in New London and Sutton Central, where she instructs 450 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She has been a member of the Kearsarge School District since 1999.

Every year, the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce recognizes those who make a difference in the region. Densmore was chosen for selflessly devoting her time, talent and boundless energy to organizations throughout the Lake Sunapee Region. She was recognized Tuesday night at the Chamber’s annual meeting at Colby Sawyer College.

“I’m quite overwhelmed,” Densmore said. “To be recognized by the Chamber is extraordinary. I am humbled and very honored to accept this award because there are so many caring and community-minded people in this area.”

Throughout nearly two decades in the district, Densmore has been instrumental in improving services for students, faculty and community members.

• She organized and directed the New London Hospital’s 100th Anniversary Concert with more than 50 students in grades two through 12 and the Kearsarge Community Band. Together they performed songs from each of the decades from the last 100 years.
• Another notable endeavor, Densmore organized a week-long artist in residence with Cheenulka Pocknett and Courtney Morning Gift Turner, cultural advisers of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation in October.
• She brings in performing artists such as instrumentalists, singers and dancers to perform for the students during their lunchtime, calling it a “Random Act of Culture.”
• Densmore is the director of youth music and the UpBeat Children’s Choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New London where she is currently in the middle of implementing a grant she helped write to bring the community together through inter-generational singing. She regularly plays her flute there.
• Currently serves as chair of the New London Bandstand Committee, which has had the longstanding privilege of organizing, producing and promoting summertime Friday night concerts on the Mary Haddad Bandstand on the Ausbon Sargent Common in New London.
• Since she came to the Kearsarge School District, she has worked closely with the American Legion Post #40 to provide Memorial Day and Veterans Day assemblies at each school every year and brings students to sing at the town’s ceremonies.
• Every year, Densmore brings students to sing the National Anthem at the New London Town Meeting and has students perform for the Patriot Day ceremony at the New London Fire Station to honor first responders and the events that happened on Sept. 11.
• For the past 10 years, she has been bringing students to sing at the Women Who Make a Difference Luncheon put on by the Lake Sunapee VNA. She also won the Above and Beyond Award for 2017 from this organization.
• Friends of Tracy Memorial Library partnered with Densmore and brought 15 fifth grade students to the Boston Pops Holiday Concert in December.
• She performs on her flute as well as leads sing-a-longs of old time tunes and contra dances at the New London Historical Society.
• Every April, for the last eight years, Densmore has organized and directed the Shakespeare Club through the New London Outing Club, putting on a musical rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
• Densmore is a performing artist member of the Center for the Arts Lake Sunapee Region. She participated in the first Dancing with the Stars contest and helps to organize the First Friday events in July and December.
• She brought a string quartet from Symphony New Hampshire and performer David Coffin to both the elementary schools she teaches in with funding from the Summer Music Associates.
• Densmore performs with Folk Fusion, the Lake Sunapee Area Flute Choir and as a solo flutist.

“Nicole is extremely deserving of this recognition,” Superintendent Feneberg said. “Her dedication, knowledge and passion for the arts continuously makes a positive impact on our young learners. On behalf of the entire district, we congratulate her on this award.”

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