National Dance Institute

National Dance Institute (NDI) was founded in the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children and motivate them toward excellence. Under the artistic direction of Ellen Weinstein and a staff of professional dancer/choreographers and musician/composers, NDI strives to reach every child, transcending barriers of language, culture, and physical challenges. Since it was founded in 1976 by New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d'Amboise, NDI has impacted the lives of over 2 million children.

NDI works with mainstream, bilingual, and special education classes. Each year, NDI transforms the lives of over 35,000 New York City public school students, their parents, teachers and local communities through classes, residencies and performances. This educational experience instills an appreciation for dance and music, and other important social skills, but also provides much more.

With an education in the performing arts, children learn social interaction and develop personal standards that become key aspects of their lives. Children who are fortunate to have an early exposure to elements of the performing arts, dance and music during their primary education develop confidence in achievement, self discipline, learning techniques, social interaction, and learn the importance of structured routines, and the ability to work together that will serve these students well through their academic careers and in their achievements as adults.

The classes provided by NDI are taught by professional artists, who work with 4,000 New York City public school children each year in their partner schools throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. The majority of NDI dancers come from low-income communities, and all NDI programs are offered to children free of charge. NDI is a not-for-profit arts education organization, and the dance programs are tuition free. Among NDI dancers, 32% are Latino, 24% Asian, 23% Caucasian, 19% African-American, and 2% other non-white minority groups.

See also

• National Dance Institute of New Mexico

References

• National Dance Institute Information Pamphlet, National Dance Institute, "About NDI"
• National Dance Institute at a Glance

External links

• Official website
• National Dance Institute on Twitter
• BBT/School of Russian American Ballet
• National Dance Institute Facebook Group

Coordinates: 40°49′26″N 73°56′22″W / 40.82391°N 73.939488°W / 40.82391; -73.939488