Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the National Dance Institute (NDI) hosted a milestone event called Jacques' Art Nest: Winter 2026 featuring New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck and retired American Ballet Theatre icon Misty Copeland. The program highlighted the vital role of arts education in fostering leadership and community within public schools, where NDI currently serves over 6,500 children annually. Through student performances and dialogue with these trailblazing artists, the event emphasized how exposure to artistic excellence inspires young dancers to recognize their own potential and envision new possibilities for their lives.

"Arts Education is vital to our society. It creates leaders." — Misty Copeland