Press & News

HARLEM WORLD National Dance Institute (NDI), is the Harlem nonprofit arts education organization that delivers award-winning dance and music programs to thousands of children worldwide. Will host a DREAM alumni homecoming on February 23rd in honor of the 10th anniversary of the NDI DREAM Project (Dancers Realize Excellence through Arts and Movement), an inclusive dance program that provides children with and without disabilities the opportunity to perform together in true partnership. The NDI DREAM Project was co-founded by Kay Gayner, NDI’s Artistic Director, and Pediatric Physical Therapist, Dr. Agnes McConlogue Ferro. Along with Aileen Barry, NDI’s Senior Director of Education & Outreach, Gayner and Ferro developed a program that is a model for inclusivity in NYC and nationwide, growing into an increasingly popular training program that equips dance and music educators as well as physical therapists with tools to expand accessibility and inclusivity in their own communities. “Access to high-quality arts education is every child’s birthright,” said Gayner.  “We welcome [...]

Harlem’s National Dance Institute (NDI) will celebrate the life of Dr. Maya Angelou at “RISE,” their 2023 Event of the Year from June 17-19 at NYU Skirball Center. This event will include vibrant performances of dance and live music from over 100 talented children from New York City public schools.

NEW YORK, March 16, 2023 - NDI, the non-profit arts education organization that delivers award-winning dance and music programs to thousands of children worldwide, announces that Jermaine Jones will join the organization as Executive Director. Jones joins the acclaimed organization alongside NDI’s Artistic Director Kay Gayner and Board Chair Marc Solomon. He is the current NDI Board Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Finance Committee, and former controller of Brighton Health Plan Solutions. Jones will assume his new role on March 20th. National Dance Institute was founded by legendary ballet dancer and arts education champion Jacques d’Amboise in the belief that all children should have access to high quality arts education. Each year NDI engages thousands of children of all backgrounds and abilities through its unique NDI Method, an approach to teaching that has become a widely adopted model for arts education programs around the globe. In addition to delivering transformative programming [...]

Dear NDI Community, It is with great enthusiasm that I write to you as National Dance Institute’s new Artistic Director. I am beyond thrilled to take on this role at an organization so devoted to changing children’s lives through the arts. During my 20-year tenure, I've worked closely with our beloved founder, Jacques d’Amboise, as well as Ellen Weinstein, who brilliantly served NDI as Artistic Director for 26 years. I am grateful to both of these exceptional individuals for enriching my life, and this organization, in so many ways. Jacques built the house, Ellen turned it into a home. And it is my honor to build upon their legacy, ensuring that anyone who comes through the NDI door is met with joy and love sparked by the arts. With our superb teaching staff, NDI has developed a proven teaching methodology that uses dance and music to improve children’s critical thinking, global [...]

A Message From NDI Artistic Director Ellen Weinstein There are few words to describe the magnitude of loss we have felt since Jacques d'Amboise passed away on May 2. We are deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support from people around the world who were inspired by his brilliance. Thank you to everyone who has shared a memory, written a note, posted a photo, or simply taken a moment to reflect on the joy that Jacques gave to life.

This year, National Dance Institute celebrates its 45th Anniversary. As we reflect on NDI’s extraordinary achievements of inspiring children through the arts, we look ahead to the promise the future holds. We salute NDI and recognize that many exceptional individuals have made our remarkable success possible. Traci Lester, NDI’s Executive Director, has guided NDI for the past four and a half years with great skill, clarity, and dedication, especially as we navigated through the impact of an unprecedented global health crisis. Today, we announce that Traci has shared she will be stepping down from her role to pursue another professional opportunity. We are grateful for Traci’s many contributions. We wish her all the very best and we know we will continue to see her in the audience cheering on NDI. Thank you, Traci Lester.