ESOTA - The Edge School of the Arts

09/25/2026

✨ Season 31 is here! ✨

We’re excited to welcome our dancers back and open our doors to new faces joining the ESOTA village.

Registration is open, and we can’t wait to get back in the studio for another great season!

In-Person Registration

🗓️ Saturday, September 26
⏰ 12–3 PM
📍 Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
161-04 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica, Queens

Can’t make it in person? Online registration is available! Scan the QR code below to receive registration information.

Classes begin Saturday, October 3!

Ready to dance? Register today and join us for Season 31! 🩰✨

09/24/2026

Athlete of the Year: AVA needs to be #1 to move on to the Quarter-Finals at 8PM PDT tonight!

If fans missed out earlier in the week, votes are 2X until 7PM PDT to help AVA secure the top spot!

Let’s make a run for #1! 🏃‍♂️

https://athleteoftheyear.org/2026/ava-31ca

One young athlete will be featured in 3BRAND ads across CBS and Sports Illustrated, and take home $25,000.

06/25/2026

The ESOTA Village proudly celebrates alumna Natalie Mungin. Natalie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York University at Albany with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

During her time at Albany, she was a member of the Honors College, a Spellman Academic Scholar, and a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. The Spellman Academic Scholar distinction recognizes students of African, Latino, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) heritage who excel in academics, leadership, and community service.

Natalie also served as a Chemistry Peer Tutor, helping fellow students succeed in one of the university’s most rigorous fields of study.

This August, she will continue her academic journey at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where she will pursue a Master’s degree in Forensic Toxicology.

We are incredibly proud of Natalie’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing all that she achieves in this next chapter.

Congratulations, Natalie! Your ESOTA Village is cheering you on every step of the way. ✨💐

06/07/2026

The ESOTA Village proudly celebrates one of our very own ESOTA Babies, Gabrielle “Elle” Bolt, on an extraordinary list of accomplishments as she graduates from York Preparatory School! 🎓

Elle is a gifted scholar, athlete, artist, and leader, earning Varsity Letters for her roles as Basketball Captain, Cheerleading Co-Captain, Volleyball Co-Captain, and Softball team member. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and received the prestigious Head of School’s Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to her school community.

Elle is also a published author and the winner of the James Baldwin Teen Creative Contest for her entry, “Heavy the Head that Wears the Crown: A James Baldwin Legacy.”

This fall, Elle will continue her journey at the Mecca, Howard University, where she will study Human Performance with a concentration in Sports Medicine.

We are incredibly proud of all she has achieved and cannot wait to see the impact she will make in college and beyond.

Congratulations, Gabrielle! Your ESOTA Village is cheering you on as you take this next step toward greatness. The future is yours! ✨💐

06/06/2026

The ESOTA Village proudly celebrates Jade Wilkes on earning her Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Educational Psychology from Touro University Worldwide! 🎓

Jade’s commitment to education, lifelong learning, and student success continues to shine both inside and outside the classroom. As she completes her second year teaching 7th Grade Social Studies, she is already making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people through her passion, dedication, and leadership.

By combining her expertise in educational psychology with her experience as an educator, Jade is building a strong foundation for understanding how students learn, grow, and thrive. Her desire to deepen her knowledge in order to better support her students speaks volumes about the kind of teacher and mentor she is becoming.

We are incredibly proud of all that Jade has accomplished and excited to see how she continues to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation. Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence are truly worthy of celebration.

Congratulations, Jade! Your ESOTA Village is cheering you on every step of the way. ✨💐

06/05/2026

The ESOTA Village proudly celebrates our very own Aspiring Dancer, Shane Richardson, on an incredible academic and artistic achievement! 🎓

Shane has graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, marking an important milestone in his journey as an artist, scholar, and future educator.💜

As if that accomplishment wasn’t exciting enough, Shane has also been accepted into the prestigious New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, where he will begin pursuing a Master of Arts in Dance Education this fall!

From the dance studio to the college classroom, Shane has demonstrated dedication, discipline, and a genuine passion for the arts. We are excited to see him continue his studies and prepare to inspire future generations of dancers through education and mentorship.

While we are certainly sad to see Shane leave the Aspiring Dancer program at the end of this season, we could not be more proud of all he has accomplished. Watching him grow as a dancer, student, and young leader has been a joy, and although his time with us is coming to a close, he will always be a part of the ESOTA family.

Shane, thank you for sharing your talent, hard work, and spirit with us. We wish you continued success as you begin this exciting new chapter. Keep reaching for new heights, inspiring others, and dancing boldly toward your dreams. The future is bright, and we cannot wait to see where your journey takes you next! ✨💐

Congratulations, Shane!

05/31/2026

The ESOTA Village proudly celebrates ESOTA Alumna Chanel Higgins on earning her Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University! 🎓🖤🤍

Chanel’s commitment to service, advocacy, and strengthening communities continues to shine both in her academic achievements and in her professional work as a Family Advocate at Tedi Bear Children's Advocacy Center in Greenville, North Carolina. Every day, she helps support children and families during some of their most challenging moments, making a meaningful difference through compassion, dedication, and care.

Earning a Master of Public Administration is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to creating positive change. We have no doubt that your leadership and passion for serving others will continue to impact countless lives and communities for years to come.

Your ESOTA Village is incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished and excited to continue to follow your journey.

Congratulations, Chanel! We celebrate you today and always! 💐

05/27/2026

The ESOTA Village is celebrating one of our very own ESOTA babies, Taryn Lamb! 🎓❤️🤍🖤

Some journeys truly come full circle, and Taryn’s story is one of them. Her connection to ESOTA began before she even entered the world, with her mom expecting her while her older sister was studying at ESOTA. To now watch her grow into the remarkable young woman she has become is incredibly special.

Congratulations to Taryn on graduating Cum Laude from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts, concentrating in Media Management with a minor in Business Law!

And she’s not stopping there. Taryn plans to continue her journey to law school with hopes of becoming an entertainment attorney. We know your talent, determination, and drive will open doors and create opportunities far beyond what you can imagine.

Your ESOTA Village has loved watching you grow, and we are so proud of all you’ve accomplished. Continue to dream big, work hard, and walk boldly into your future. We’ll always be cheering you on! ✨💐

05/25/2026

💚 A Prom Night Moment to Remember 💚

ESOTA graduating senior Kassidy Meredith-Wallace was absolutely stunning on prom night in a breathtaking emerald beaded gown fit for a queen.

These beautiful photos capture not only her elegance and style, but the confidence, grace, and light she carries wherever she goes. Watching our students reach these milestone moments is always special, and Kassidy made this one unforgettable. 💃🏾✨

Kassidy, thank you for allowing the ESOTA village to celebrate alongside you. We are so proud of the young woman you’ve become and know your future will sparkle just as brightly as you did on prom night. 💚