Jennifer Bauer-Conley, commonly known as JBC, comes to Concord Academy having served as the director of fine arts at the Emery/Weiner School for the last 16 years. She was raised in her beloved home state of Maine and trained in her second home in New York City, where she worked for over 10 years as a performer, director, choreographer, and teaching artist in professional theater, youth theater, and school arts settings. JBC earned her dual undergraduate degree in dance/theater (with a concentration in direction and choreography) and political science (with a concentration in civil liberties) while performing and apprenticing under Broadway dancer and choreographer Bonnie Walker.

JBC has directed and choreographed more than 275 productions, has served as an adjudicator for several national high school theatre competitions, is a dedicated member of the artistic staff at the prestigious Stagedoor Manor, and continues to work as a private mentor and coach for students performing on Broadway stages and in major motion pictures. She is a repeat nominee and winner of the Helen Hayes High School Theatre Award, the Metro Award, and the Tommy Tune Award for her work in school theater, and in 2016 she was honored by Playbill as one of the “10 teachers shaping Broadway.” In 2025, she was named the Houston Arts Educator of the Year. Her work creating and leading arts programs for educational and professional theater organizations has focused on the dramaturgical and cultural importance of equity and social justice in arts education. She is honored to join the rich and storied arts community at Concord Academy.

When not directing and choreographing, JBC loves spending time with her two wonderful daughters and husband, supporting local art and theater, and nerding out on all things sci-fi.