About NDI

National Dance Institute (NDI) transforms the lives of over 35,000 New York City public school children and their families each year. 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. NDI fosters a love of the arts and a curiosity about the world in all of the children it serves. Children learn to work together, to develop personal standards of excellence, and a belief in themselves that carries over into all aspects of their lives…for the rest of their lives. Since it was founded in 1976 by New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d’Amboise, NDI and its affiliates have impacted the lives of over 2 million children.

There are children who live each day struggling with academics, with complicated family lives, and with emotional and physical challenges. I have seen these children leave the dance floor with a renewed spirit of hope, better able to handle the problems they face because of the inner peace they derive from the beauty of dance.

- Shelley Harwayne, Educator and former District Superintendent, New York City Public Schools

• Annually, NDI's programs impact over 35,000 public school students, their parents, teachers and local communities through classes, assemblies, residencies and performances.
• The majority of NDI dancers come from low-income communities.
• NDI dancers represent a diverse population: 32% are Latino, 24% Asian, 23% Caucasian, 19% African-American, and 2% other non-white minority groups.