National Dance Institute

2007-2008 Curricular Theme: Mexico!

During the 2007-2008 season, thousands of New York City school children and their families are learning about the movement, arts and culture of Mexico.
Through a collaboration with ConArte in Mexico City, students in the United States and Mexico have been able to share their lives with each other through art, dance, music and writing.

January 2006 - NDI Collaborates with ConArte
In 2006 NDI formed a collaboration with ConArte in Mexico City. NDI Teaching Artist Jenny Seham spent 5 months in Mexico introducing professional dancers and musicians to NDI’s unique methodology as ConArte developed their own dance program for primary and secondary school children, Aprender con Danza (Learning Through Dance).

June 2007 - Mexican Artists Visit Summer Institute
During the 2007 Irene Diamond Summer Institute, NDI hosted six Mexican artists in New York City for a week. The professional dancers and musicians work for the NDI-inspired program Aprender con Danza (Learning Through Dance) in Mexico City, and came to observe and learn NDI teaching methods.

January 26, 2008 - NDI Celebrate the Artist Event
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company was invited to visit and perform for NDI's Advance Team Dancers at their rehearsal on Saturday, January 26, 2008. The New York City-based company showcased dance and music traditions of Mexico for the NDI students, then worked with them on their dance technique.

February, 2008 - NDI Delegation Visits Mexico
In February, 2008, a delegation of NDI Teaching Artists and Staff, along with NDI Board Member Helen Stambler Neuberger, traveled to Mexico to visit ConArte and Aprender con Danza. The group observed dance classes at primary and secondary schools, attended classes at the School for Popular Music; coordinated a Gift Bag Project in the schools; and Helen Stambler Neuberger worked with renowned Mexican artists Marissa Lara and Arturo Guerrero on a Banner Project with the children of Mexico City.