Press & News
NY1 at Rehearsals for Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Performance with NDI Children
Nov. 25, 2019
National Dance Institute Launches NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning; Furthers NDI Leadership as Premiere Arts Education Organization
[Press Release] October 24, 2019 - New York, NY - National Dance Institute (NDI) today announced the NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning, a professional development program for teaching artists, educators and organizations committed to dance education and enriching children’s lives through the arts. National Dance Institute, founded by legendary New York City Ballet dancer Jacques d’Amboise, and now under the Artistic Direction of Ellen Weinstein, has been at the forefront of transformative dance education since 1976. Today, NDI has grown to be one of the premier arts education organizations worldwide. “NDI is at an exciting time in its history. We know that youth participation in dance and music empowers children to a higher level of excellence and helps cultivate leadership and development skills,” said Traci Lester, Executive Director, National Dance Institute. “With the introduction of the NDI Collaborative we are able to train more teaching artists in the NDI Method which [...]
Broadway World: October Shows
October 26 at 2 pm: National Dance Institute: The Celebration Team "Voices of Change" - Dancers ages 9 to 15 will be performing for kids in Just Kidding's annual high-energy show, featuring original choreography and live music.
National Dance Institute's DREAM Project Celebrates 10 Years With Alumni Homecoming Event
BROADWAY WORLD | Feb. 07, 2024 | By Stephi Wild National Dance Institute will host a DREAM alumni homecoming on February 23rd in honor of the 10th anniversary of the NDI DREAM Project (Dancers Realize Excellence through Arts and Movement), an inclusive dance program that provides children with and without disabilities the opportunity to perform together in true partnership. The NDI DREAM Project was co-founded by Kay Gayner, NDI’s Artistic Director, and Pediatric Physical Therapist, Dr. Agnes McConlogue Ferro. Along with Aileen Barry, NDI’s Senior Director of Education & Outreach, Gayner and Ferro developed a program that is a model for inclusivity in NYC and nationwide, growing into an increasingly popular training program that equips dance and music educators as well as physical therapists with tools to expand accessibility and inclusivity in their own communities. "Access to high quality arts education is every child's birthright," said Gayner. "We welcome children with a wide range of [...]
THE GIVERS: Six organizations that are making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers—one dance step or catering job at a time.
Summer 2019 | Downtown Magazine | By Deborah L. Martin A WISE PERSON ONCE SAID, “Charity begins at home,” and we agree. The problems of the world often seem insurmountable, but there are organizations that are doing life-changing work right here in New York City—helping one person, one child, one human being at a time. For this special feature, we focused on just six out of the countless worthy organizations working to better this city, and as a result, the world. The Museum of Jewish Heritage, Henry Street Settlement, Girl Be Heard, National Dance Institute, Oliver Scholars, and Project Renewal all focus on different issues affecting our New York communities. With the help of dedicated staff and volunteers, they use their creative energy to reach our most at-risk, vulnerable residents, and to help them achieve their fullest potential. They teach lessons in acceptance and tolerance, appreciation for the arts, and cooperation, [...]
Harlem World Magazine Interviews NDI Executive Director, Traci Lester
Listen to Harlem resident, mom, and former elementary school teacher Traci Lester, executive director of Harlem-based National Dance Institute (NDI), as they discuss a new Harlem history focused dance curriculum for the new school year and more with host Danny Tisdale, on The Danny Tisdale Show.