Remembering Jacques d’Amboise
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.
As Jacques would want, we will carry on his unwavering commitment to providing learning in and through the arts for every child and, as Jacques would say, “to celebrating the having.” His legacy will continue to radiate throughout our world, and Jacques’s treasured National Dance Institute will continue to soar in his honor.
The poem below has brought me solace, and I’d like to share it with you.
“Separation”
Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color.
— W. S. Merwin
I am forever grateful for having Jacques in our lives,
News Coverage and Tributes
News organizations far and wide ran tributes and obituaries celebrating the extraordinary life of Jacques d’Amboise. Links to the coverage honoring him are on the NDI website, where you’ll find articles from the New York Times, Washington Post, Hollywood Reporter and many more.
Be sure to watch this rarely-seen archival footage of the early days of Jacques leading NDI class (at left, on a school rooftop!), as captured in 1980 by “CBS Sunday Morning“!
NDI Dancemobile Visits Parks & Schools
The children of National Dance Institute are dancing in the streets — and parks! — with NDI Dancemobile. This five-part performance series is dedicated to Jacques d’Amboise and his commitment to giving children the opportunity to perform. Click here for CBS 2 Sunday Morning News’ coverage of our May 22 performance in Lower Manhattan (below left). The team has traveled to Brooklyn Bridge Park (top left), Herald Square, and Crotona Park, plus PS40 (below)! Join us at the final Dancemobile performance on Saturday, June 19 in Harlem on Hamilton Place, between West 142nd and 143rd, at 12 and 1pm!
NDI’s In-School Program Adapts & Thrives
The 2020-2021 school year is coming to a close, and NDI’s In-School Program is back onstage as our partner schools host year-end performances. Our dancers are sharing their joy online, in their classrooms, and even outdoors with the NDI Dancemobile, as at PS 40! Many are coming together for the first time in more than a year to celebrate their growth and success with audiences of families and school communities. NDI has been steadfast in serving children in 27 New York City schools this year. We’ve maintained strong relationships with our partner schools, and we began exciting new partnerships with PS 201Q (Queens), PS 116M (Midtown East), and PS/IS 217M (Roosevelt Island), above. We thank all the DOE educators whose dedicated collaboration and unshakeable belief in the power of the arts made this year possible!
To bring NDI to your school community in 2021-22, please reach out to NDI’s Program Department: abarry@nationaldance.org.
Join Team Jacques and thousands of other runners on Sunday, November 7, 2021 as New York Road Runners (NYRR) celebrates 50 years of running with the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. By running with NDI, you will be helping to turn classrooms into vibrant learning communities and bring the transformative power of the arts into the lives of over 6,500 children throughout New York City public schools. Click here to learn more!