Press & News

NDI children danced in the Thanksgiving parade. Watch the footage and see a brief interview with Ellen Weinstein.

[Press Release] October 24, 2019 - New York, NY - National Dance Institute (NDI) today announced the NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning, a professional development program for teaching artists, educators and organizations committed to dance education and enriching children’s lives through the arts.  National Dance Institute, founded by legendary New York City Ballet dancer Jacques d’Amboise, and now under the Artistic Direction of Ellen Weinstein, has been at the forefront of transformative dance education since 1976.  Today, NDI has grown to be one of the premier arts education organizations worldwide. “NDI is at an exciting time in its history.  We know that youth participation in dance and music empowers children to a higher level of excellence and helps cultivate leadership and development skills,” said Traci Lester, Executive Director, National Dance Institute. “With the introduction of the NDI Collaborative we are able to train more teaching artists in the NDI Method which [...]

Listen to Harlem resident, mom, and former elementary school teacher Traci Lester, executive director of Harlem-based National Dance Institute (NDI), as they discuss a new Harlem history focused dance curriculum for the new school year and more with host Danny Tisdale, on The Danny Tisdale Show.

iFashion Magazine’s “Outstanding Kids” Fall issue highlights the impact of NDI through the eyes of past and present NDI Celebration Team dancers. To read this article, please click "Read More" and download the PDF and scroll to pages 104-113.

There is a rose in East Harlem where hundreds of youngsters learn ballet, tap, modern dance, music, choreography and more while experiencing “a love of the arts, a passion for learning and a desire to strive for their personal best.” The name of the rose is the National Dance Institute.

Summer 2019  |  Downtown Magazine  |  By Deborah L. Martin A WISE PERSON ONCE SAID, “Charity begins at home,” and we agree. The problems of the world often seem insurmountable, but there are organizations that are doing life-changing work right here in New York City—helping one person, one child, one human being at a time. For this special feature, we focused on just six out of the countless worthy organizations working to better this city, and as a result, the world. The Museum of Jewish Heritage, Henry Street Settlement, Girl Be Heard, National Dance Institute, Oliver Scholars, and Project Renewal all focus on different issues affecting our New York communities. With the help of dedicated staff and volunteers, they use their creative energy to reach our most at-risk, vulnerable residents, and to help them achieve their fullest potential. They teach lessons in acceptance and tolerance, appreciation for the arts, and cooperation, [...]