Our Team
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kay Gayner is the Artistic Director of National Dance Institute. She began teaching for National Dance Institute in 2000, after having served as assistant to Jacques d’Amboise from 1987-1990. She is responsible for the direction of NDI’s In-School Program, which currently serves approximately 6,500 children in New York City public schools. Ms. Gayner was named Associate Artistic Director of NDI in 2017 and has served as Co-Creator and Co-Founder of the NDI DREAM Project since 2014 and Director of International Projects since 2011.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jermaine Jones was appointed Executive Director of National Dance Institute (NDI) in March 2023. A lifelong advocate for the arts, he brings a unique blend of professional management acumen and a deep-rooted passion for dance to his leadership role. Jones’ relationship with NDI began at age 11 as a student participant in Harlem, later performing with NDI’s Celebration Team and studying at the Alvin Ailey School.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITA
Ellen Weinstein is the former Artistic Director and Interim Executive Director of National Dance Institute. She began teaching and choreographing for National Dance Institute in 1985 and served as Associate Artistic Director from 1989 to 1994. She served as Artistic Director from 1995 to 2021 and during that time guided NDI to consistently deliver excellence in the arts and give children opportunities they would not have realized otherwise.