National Dance Institute Inc

Programs: In-school programat the core of ndi's programming is our in-school program (isp). Currently in 41 partner schools in the nyc metro area, ndi works with 6,500 children each week in grades k-6. Ndi sends a team of three professional teaching artists-a master teacher/choreographer, an assistant teacher and a musician/composer-into 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 fully realized performances. Students showcase their learned skills and accomplishments during exciting mid-year and 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 and their academics studies-fueling their imagination, desire to learn, and ability to communicate ideas through creative expression. The goal of ndi's programs is to prepare children to grow into creative, compassionate, 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.

advanced programs:ndi's advanced programs extend the ndi experience for children who demonstrate the passion and ability to embrace greater challenge. 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 at the national dance institute center for learning & the arts 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 other and the arts. Swat team: approximately 100 dancers selected from the in-school program receive advanced dance instruction every saturday from january through june. The program culminates in ndi's event of the year, a large-scale public performance of the highest caliber featuring both swat and celebration team dancers. Celebration team: approximately 90 dancers who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment throughout their ndi training receive scholarships to join ndi's most advanced performance troupe. These dancers have performed in prestigious venues such as the white house, lincoln center, kennedy center, city center, symphony space and countries as varied as china, indonesia, switzerland and israel. Event of the year: each june, ndi's advanced team programs culminate in the event of the year, a public performance featuring original choreography and music and professionally designed sets, costumes, and lighting. Dancers perform in four performances over three days, reaching an audience of over 3,000. Summer institute: the irene diamond summer institute is ndi's month-long arts intensive held during july at the national dance institute center for learning & the arts. Approximately 100 children from ndi's advanced programs are granted full scholarships to attend. Monday through friday, from 10-4pm, these dancers participate in a rigorous schedule of ballet, modern, jazz, tap, ethnic dance, music, choreography and theatre. 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:art nest: curated and directed by jacques, the art nest series 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. International cultural exchange: dancers have benefited greatly from ndi's international cultural exchange program with artists and children from countries such as lebanon, russia, bali and senegal. Through these exchanges, our dancers build cultural literacy and global awareness, and are exposed to diverse cultural traditions and styles. In 2010, ndi was approached by the china welfare institute children's palace and the minhang education bureau to create a professional development program titled "dancing into the future: i can too! " through this initiative, ndi teaching artists travel to china to train educators and artists from the minhang school district in ndi's dance and music methodology. This partnership provides children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds throughout shanghai, including a large population of children of migrant workers, with a joyful and rigorous exploration of the arts. The ndi dream project: the ndi dream (dancers realize excellence through arts and movement) project, inspired by ndi's successful supernovas in-school program at ps 199, is a week-long program co-developed by ndi master teacher kay gayner and agnes mcconlogue ferro, a board-certified specialist in pediatric physical therapy on the faculty of suny stony brook. Utilizing ndi's unique pedagogy to engage learners with disabilities, this workshop offers children with physical challenges the opportunity to experience the joy of dancing and performing. Children with disabilities are paired with typically developing peers to maximize participation, collaboration and personal connection. Dancers work together within a joyful, rigorous, and supportive group dynamic. The workshop culminates in a performance celebrating the children's achievements.