Experience NDI’s empowering hands-on approach that equips teaching artists to use dance and live music to engage and inspire children with and without disabilities. Learn directly from the founders of the NDI DREAM Project, NDI Artistic Director Kay Gayner and Board-Certified Pediatric Physical Therapist Agnes McConlogue Ferro in this dynamic training. Built on the knowledge that inclusion elevates everyone, this teaching artist training is designed to introduce arts educators to NDI’s teaching techniques and philosophy, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, experiences the joy of movement.

Program Highlights:

• Inclusive Dance Techniques: Learn NDI’s core teaching strategies for working with children with and without disabilities, providing equitable and inclusive adaptive dance for all students.

• Observation and Practice: Mornings will be spent observing the NDI DREAM Project, where children with a range of developmental disabilities and their age-matched peers (ages 6-18) engage in dance classes. In the afternoons, teaching artists will have the opportunity to put these techniques into practice through guided teaching with DREAM Project students.

• Differentiated Instruction: Gain valuable tools for differentiating dance instruction, ensuring all dancers in your ensemble have their abilities highlighted and developed.

• Choreography and Performance: Learn techniques for crafting choreography that emphasize inclusion and artistic excellence, culminating in a performance that showcases the talents of all student dancers.

• Community Building: Connect with arts educators and disability advocates from around the country who share a passion for inclusive and adaptive dance education.

Application Process:
Complete the NDI DREAM Project Teacher Training application.

Note: This training is offered every other year. If you’d like a customized training in inclusive/adaptive dance instruction, please reach out to ndicollaborative@nationaldance.org  

Who Should Attend:

This program is designed for anyone looking to deepen their expertise in inclusive teaching and choreography for children with disabilities, including:

• Dance educators

• Teaching Artists

• Physical Therapy Specialists

• Caregivers to young people with disabilities

• Administrators of educational engagement programs

• Arts and education organizations working with diverse communities

Tiered Pricing and Scholarships:

• The program features tiered pricing, with fees ranging from $650 to $750.

• Scholarships are available based on need, ensuring accessibility for all qualified applicants.

• Once accepted into the training, all participants will have the option to apply for a scholarship.