Join the "I Was A Tomato" Campaign
NDI Artistic Director Kay Gayner shares the story behind "I Was A Tomato" and why these memories matter. Join us in telling the world that the arts are essential and that early experiences in the arts stay with us forever by sharing your story.
Early arts education stays with us forever. Join us in turning a memory into a movement.
Jacques d'Amboise, founder of National Dance Institute, used to tell a story about riding the NYC subway. He was reading his newspaper when someone started staring at him. Eventually, the man walked up to him and said: “I was a tomato.”
Turns out, this man had recognized Jacques from his NDI experience years earlier—and in that moment, they shared a laugh and understood something profound. Whether you were a tomato, a scallion, a piano key, a rat, or any of the countless creative roles NDI students have danced over 50 years, it isn't just a quirky memory. It’s a badge of belonging.
These memories—lighthearted and meaningful—represent moments of creative expression, collaboration, and personal growth that stay with you forever.
Now, as NDI celebrates its 50th year, we want to hear your stories! Share them here.
If You've Danced With Us, You're Part of Our Story
As we celebrate 50 years of NDI, we're taking stock of just how many people we have welcomed into our community. Being an NDI alum isn't limited to those who performed on stage—it includes every person whose life was touched by the transformative power of dance and music education.
You're an NDI Alum if you:
Participated in NDI's in-school program
Were a member of SWAT/RISE Team, Celebration Team, First Team or DREAM Project
Cheered from the audience as a parent, sibling, or family member
Taught in a classroom where NDI brought dance and music
Led a school that partnered with NDI
Worked as a teaching artist, NDI staff or member of a production team for an NDI performance
Your experience—whether you were a tomato or you watched your child be one—helped prove something extraordinary: that rigorous arts education can be joyful, that excellence doesn't require exclusion, and that dance has the power to build confident, creative, collaborative citizens.
50 Years of Joyful Memories
From garlic to robots, from chefs to John Lennon—NDI students have brought hundreds of characters to life over five decades. What was your wackiest role?
