Our Story
Where the smallest seed of curiosity grows into a lifelong love of the arts.
Our mission
Why “Mustard Seed”?
The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds, yet it grows into one of the largest plants in the garden. That image is at the heart of who we are: we believe every student carries the seed of something remarkable, and that with the right care, encouragement, and instruction, it can grow into something beautiful.
Mustard Seed Music and Arts Academy was founded by two arts-education professionals who share a simple goal — to make high-quality instruction in music, visual art, the performing arts, and creative writing welcoming and accessible to our local community, for learners of every age and every starting point.
Our little sprout mascot was hand-drawn by co-founder Jennifer Carson.
Our approach
How we teach
We keep our classes small and our spirit warm. Students learn by doing — making music, creating art, stepping on stage, and finding their words — in a supportive group setting that builds skill and confidence together.
- Patient, encouraging instruction for every level
- Hands-on, creative, and joyful classes
- A genuine sense of community and belonging
- Regular recitals, readings, showcases, and exhibitions to celebrate growth
Meet your teachers
The people behind the academy
Jennifer (Jenn) Carson
Artistic Director · Visual Art & Writing
Jenn has always loved color, texture, and figuring out how things were put together. As a child she would sit for hours and entertain herself with a pair of scissors, a bottle of glue, and a pack of construction paper. Her first job teaching art came at age 16, through her own high-school art teacher — tutoring two younger boys who wanted to learn how to draw.
A mom to four and grandma to one, Jenn is a published children’s author and playwright, sewing pattern designer, illustrator, and all-around creative who loves to share her gifts, skills, and talents with others.
Aaron Carson
Director of Music and Performing Arts
Aaron studied Theatre at the University of New Hampshire and has spent more than fifteen years performing with a wide range of groups, logging hundreds of performances along the way. He’s at home across a variety of instruments, dance forms, and musical-theatre and vocal styles, and he’s a seasoned performance coach and stage director. He spent six years as a junior intern at the New London Barn Playhouse, returned for two seasons as an assistant director and assistant stage manager, and came back for a ninth year as the guest director of a children’s theatre show.
At Mustard Seed, Aaron teaches piano, guitar, and voice to students of every age, and works alongside aspiring performing artists on performance coaching and portfolio building. Whether a student is picking up an instrument for the first time or preparing for an audition, he loves helping them find their voice and the confidence to share it.
Come grow with us
Drop into a trial class and see what makes Mustard Seed special.