Press & News

In this PIX 11 News segment, the National Dance Institute (NDI) celebrates a major milestone during its 50th Anniversary Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on April 27, 2026. The event successfully raised a record-breaking $1.9 million to support the Harlem-based nonprofit’s music and dance initiatives. The video highlights NDI’s commitment to accessibility, noting that the organization provides free programming for New York City public school students. Their reach extends to over 6,500 children across the city, including specialized dance classes designed for children with disabilities.

For 50 years, the National Dance Institute has brought arts education into public schools, empowering children through music and movement. Carol Anne Riddell stopped by PS 130 to see some young dancers in action.

On ABC's "Here and Now," Sandra Bookman interviews Jerron Herman, who is spearheading NDI's DREAM Project—an inclusive program that reimagines what dance education can look like when accessibility and equity are at its core. Celebrated for centering disabled perspectives in his work, Herman is leading a groundbreaking initiative at the National Dance Institute (NDI).

By NDI Alum Sam Brill "Research has consistently shown that arts programs help young people build the skills they need to thrive. Participation in disciplines like dance, music and theater engages students in team-based work that culminates in shared achievement, like a performance. Experiences like these foster both a strong sense of self and a vital sense of belonging."

Able News (Mar 2, 2026) Jerron Herman is a celebrated artist, choreographer, and director who has choreographed, written, and performed numerous works that center images of freedom and disabled perspectives, bringing his own lived experience as a dancer with cerebral palsy into prominent artistic spaces. By Emily Sauchelli

For parents of children with special needs, it can be difficult to find inclusive extracurricular activities. CBS News New York's Noëlle Lilley attended the National Dance Institute's Dream Camp, where music unites people of all abilities.