National Dance Institute

In-school programat the core of ndi's programming is our in-school program (isp), which engages thousands of children each week in grades pre-k-6 and this year served 39 partner schools in the nyc metro area. Ndi dedicates a team of three professional teaching artists-two teacher/choreographers and a musician/composer-to every school to lead entire grade levels in immersive and participatory Dance classes accompanied by live music. Isp classes are taught during the school day alongside our students' academic studies, placing Dance and music on par with math, science, social studies, etc. Through the arc of the ndi year, our teaching artists guide students on a joyfully rigorous journey in the arts. Classes begin with an introduction to a basic Dance and music vocabulary that serves as the foundation for learning, and progress through increasingly difficult movement that leads to thrilling choreography and performances. Students showcase their skills and accomplishments during exciting year-end assemblies for their peers, families, and entire school communities. From classes to final performances, the isp deeply roots the arts into a school's culture and builds vibrant arts and learning communities in which children learn to work and achieve together.ndi teaching artists infuse classrooms with exploratory, educational, and inspired learning by weaving an annual curricular theme through all ndi classes, rehearsals, and performances. The annual theme is the framework of the entire year's activities and serves as a springboard for students to create a powerful connection between the arts, their lived experiences and identities, and the larger academic curriculum-fueling their imagination, desire to learn, and ability to communicate ideas through creative expression. In addition to in-person classes, ndi supplemented our services to schools and communities by providing access to a robust library of recorded Dance and music resources. We created an online hub of high-quality and tailored classes for students of all ages called ndilive! Through this public platform of joyful, participatory, and free online instruction, ndi continued to uplift and inspire children and families everywhere. Ndi also continued a content partnership with the wnet group's camp tv, a one-hour public television series that brings the day camp experience to children nationwide.the goal of ndi's programs is to prepare children to grow into creative, compassionate, empathic, and confident young adults. By harnessing the power of the arts, we help children achieve their fullest potential and develop the self-esteem, passion, and commitment that will prepare them for success in school and in life.

The ndi collaborative for teaching & learning: the ndi collaborative disseminates our acclaimed pedagogical methods, developed by founder jacques d'amboise and codified under the artistic direction of ellen weinstein, to educators and artists around the world and also ensures the consistent growth and training of ndi's own teaching staff. Officially launched in 2019 in response to increasing demand for ndi's professional development services, under the direction of emily meisner the ndi collaborative now offers intensive, multi-session teaching artist trainings; standalone and topic-based professional development workshops; and customized consultancies for organizations and higher education institutions. All trainings are experiential and include joyful Dance classes, mentored teaching opportunities, stimulating group discussions, and live music. Through both in-person and remote offerings, the ndi collaborative inspires Dance educators, musicians, and trainings gain valuable and practical teaching strategies that equip them to effectively engage diverse learners and to better serve their local communities.

Advanced programsndi's advanced programs extend the ndi experience for children who demonstrate the passion and ability to embrace greater challenges. Each year, ndi provides full scholarships for dancers drawn from the in-school program to participate in this multi-year continuum of training, which includes the swat team (scholarships for the willing, achieving and talented), and the celebration team, our advanced performance troupe, both of which gather every saturday for 3-5 hours of instruction. Ndi's advanced programs bring together children from all corners of new york city who work together as an ensemble, celebrate each other's achievements, and form lifelong bonds to one another and the arts. In the 2021-2022 school year, ndi's advanced team programs were offered in a hybrid format, both in-person and online, and culminated in our annual event of the year, a large-scale public performance of the highest caliber celebrating the annual curricular theme of "a beautiful mosaic." Event of the year: each june, ndi's advanced teams and dream project dancers perform in the event of the year, a public performance featuring original choreography and music and professionally-designed sets, costumes, and lighting. In june of 2022, our dancers performed in four performances over three days.the irene diamond summer Institute: ndi's month-long arts intensive is held during the month of july at the National Dance Institute center for learning & the arts. Approximately 75 children from ndi's in-school and advanced programs are awarded full scholarships to attend. These dancers participate in Dance technique classes, music and drama classes, composition workshops, choreography workshops, and sessions with guest artists. This enriching and participatory program deepens our dancers' experience in ndi's advanced programs, instilling in them increased self-confidence, a deep appreciation of the arts, and a solid foundation in Dance and music technique.

Special projects:highlights of ndi's special projects include: the ndi dream project: in addition to ndi's fully accessible and inclusive programming in schools, ndi offers specialized programming beyond the school day for dancers with disabilities. Co-founded by ndi associate artistic director kay gayner and board-certified pediatric physical therapist agnes mcconlogue ferro, the dream project (dancers realize excellence through arts and movement) is a unique program that provides children with disabilities the opportunity to Dance and perform. In the dream program, children with disabilities and a group of age-matched, non-disabled peers Dance in partnership, with the goals of maximizing participation and challenging every dancer to achieve their best through teamwork, creativity, empathy, and discovery. Dream's weeklong camps are held in february and august and culminate in performances celebrating every student's talents and achievements. Our february 2022 program was conducted with dancers both in person and online, and the final performance was professionally live streamed for families; our august 2022 workshop was held entirely in person at the National Dance Institute center for learning & the arts. Associates of National Dance Institute (andi): andi is a collective of arts education programs inspired by ndi's pedagogy. Throughout our history, ndi has successfully seeded programs both nationally and internationally. Ndi strengthens associate organizations by providing a forum for members to share best practices, maintain standards of excellence, and promote the growth of community arts education programs for children. There are currently 12 programs thriving in the united states. Andi programs serve over 30,000 children annually. Ndi provided both remote and in-person professional development, training, and consulting support to our andi organizations throughout the 2021-22 school year.international partnerships: international partnerships are in-depth and ongoing collaborations with arts and education organizations around the world to create programs based on the ndi method. Ndi leadership provides oversight, ongoing teacher training, and artistic support for all staff, as well as strategies for adapting the ndi method to the values, traditions, and culture of the host country. In 2017, the lebanese center for special education approached ndi to create "Dance by cles" (dbc), with a mission to bring Dance and the arts to private and public schools in lebanon. The dbc program aims to help children with and without learning disabilities to gain discipline, self-confidence, and trust in others. In the 2021-22 school year, a team of ndi teaching artists provided remote trainings in the ndi method to lebanese dancers, educators, and musicians in support of the dbc program.jacques' art nest: conceived and originally curated and directed by jacques d'amboise, the art nest series continues under the guidance of artistic director kay gayner and features performances by professional artists, including principal dancers from new york city ballet, the brightest stars from broadway, and musicians of the highest caliber, alongside our very own ndi dancers. The series also includes panel discussions led by some of the greatest minds in education, science, history, and the arts. These programs provide our ndi dancers with the opportunity to interact with and learn from luminaries in their fields and bring a wider audience of arts supporters to the ndi center.ndi helen stambler neuberger artist-in-residence program: the helen stambler neuberger artist-in-residence program is a one-year residency designed to support the creative process of a movement-based artist of color. The position offers emerging or established artists an opportunity to develop their craft while working with elementary and middle school-age students. The residency grew out of National Dance Institute's commitment to cultivating racially diverse artistry throughout ndi programming. It is designed to bring creative exploration in Dance and music to young dancers across all of ndi's programs, to broaden the artistry of ndi teaching artists and to introduce the work of diverse choreographers to the ndi community. Children enrolled in ndi advanced teams work directly with and learn from these professional artists who are luminaries in the fields of Dance and music. The impact of the residency is felt by all children participating in new york city partner schools, as all of our teaching artists interact with the artist-in-residence throughout the year. During the residency, the artist receives rehearsal space at the ndi center, performance opportunities, professional development workshops and peer dialogue. Ndi provides a fully supportive environment to be able to create and exchange ideas with other artists.national Dance Institute named earl mosley as its helen stambler neuberger artist-in-residence 2021-2022. Fredrick earl mosley is founder and artistic director of diversity of Dance, which is the springboard for programs such as earl mosley's Institute of the arts (emia, a residential summer Institute) held at hofstra university in hempstead, long island, hearts of men (hom) a program which is designed to use Dance to empower and cultivate a safe space where men of all ages can bond in a community of brotherly love, and dancing beyond, a benefit for Dance against cancer. Mr. mosley has extensive choreographic credits that include the alvin ailey american Dance theater, american ballet theater studio company, and dallas black theatre, as well as numerous other universities and institutions both National and international. Mr. mosley first worked with the children of ndi choreographing a Dance to "this is me" from the greatest showman for the finale performance in the Dance against cancer benefit at lincoln center in 2021, where the children danced alongside kevin boseman, erica lall, clifton brown, jacquelin harris, and many others.mr. Mosley worked with ndi children and teaching artists throughout the year, setting choreography on ndi advanced teams dancers and producing a weekend of performances at the ndi center for our families, our local harlem neighbors, as well as the larger nyc Dance community.