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December 2009

Vol 3, Issue 2

Why I give to NDI

NDI Holiday Donation Cards

"...the skills Alex is learning have already served him well in school and in the real world. He has gained confidence and a belief in himself ...respect and focus, how to work collaboratively, how to adapt to different learning styles and how to express himself--all from this one program."
--Erika Honda, parent of NDI Dancer Alex Shimizu

Dear fellow Friends of NDI,

I will be forever grateful that National Dance Institute (NDI) is part of our lives, and I know that when my son Alex (pictured in orange above) graduates next year, I will be an alumni parent who continues to volunteer and contribute.

The first time I witnessed an NDI performance, I was amazed by the joy and happiness on the faces of all the kids on stage. The smile has never left my face, and five years later I am still moved and brought to tears by the same excitement and thrill.

Alex started NDI in 4th grade at Hunter College Elementary School. All he ever did at that age was play and think and talk about baseball, and I know he never would have tried dancing had it not been for NDI's In-School Program.

Read more from Erika Honda here.

NDI dancers perform at Symphony Space

On November 14, NDI Celebration Team dancers wowed record audiences attending our annual performance at Symphony Space, part of the JUST KIDDING series. The performance included a preview of the 2010 Event of the Year, celebrating Storytelling Around the World. Showcased works included "A Tale from Egypt" (pictured above) choreographed by Christopher d'Amboise, and "We Real Cool" inspired by the Gwendolyn Brooks poem.
See a slideshow here.

Alumni Spotlight: Danny Rodriguez ('06)

Danny Rodriguez ('06) Danny Rodriguez is a proud NDI alum ('06), a graduate of LaGuardia High School ('09) where he majored in Dance, and an aspiring ballet star. He recently assisted Master Teacher Emily Meisner during NDI's 2009 Irene Diamond Summer Institute, where we caught up with him to talk about his NDI experience, his new role as a ballet teacher, and his future plans.

NDI: What was it like being an intern at Summer Institute?

Danny: Being an intern at Summer Institute was an amazing experience that taught me so much about dance. Suddenly, three years after my final Summer Institute, I made my humble return. But I was no longer a dancer...I was a teacher!