NY1: Rehearsals for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NY1 visits the rehearsals for Macy’s 2019 Thanksgiving Day Parade with NDI Children alongside Sesame Street.
Professional Development as a Lifeline
“Curriculum doesn’t teach people. People teach people.”
–Daniel Ulbricht, Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
The Journey Begins
I was twenty-three when I had my first job teaching dance to children in a New York City school. I naively figured that given my rigorous dance training and time in a professional company I was equipped to lead engaging classes for children. I spent many hours at night focused on the ‘what’ of teaching – What steps would I teach? What music would I use? What choreography would we create? I felt prepared once I had a very solid curriculum written in my notebook. That all changed, however, once I was in front of a group of dynamic and excited children. I quickly realized that the ‘what’ of my lesson plan was actually less important than the ‘how.’ How was I going to capture the attention of this delightful and challenging group […]
WPIX News Covers Macy’s Rehearsals with NDI Children and Ellen Weinstein
Nov. 25, 2019 -WPIX features Rehearsals for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with NDI Dancers.
National Dance Institute Starts Teacher Training Program
The organization will offer intensive on-site instruction for teachers and consulting services for dance education groups.Oct 24, 2019 –New York Times – National Dance Institute will continue spreading its holistic dance education method with a new teacher training program. The organization, founded in 1976 by the distinguished New York City Ballet dancer Jacques d’Amboise, announced the establishment of the N.D.I. Collaborative for Teaching and Learning on Thursday.
[New York Times] National Dance Institute Starts Teacher Training Program: The organization will offer intensive on-site instruction for teachers and consulting services for dance education groups.
National Dance Institute will continue spreading its holistic dance education method with a new teacher training program. The organization, founded in 1976 by the distinguished New York City Ballet dancer Jacques d’Amboise, announced the establishment of the N.D.I. Collaborative for Teaching and Learning on Thursday.“Since we can’t be everywhere, we know by sharing the N.D.I. method with so many others through this approach that we’ll be able to impact the lives of exponentially more children over time,” said Traci Lester, the executive director of the institute.
National Dance Institute Launches NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning; Furthers NDI Leadership as Premiere Arts Education Organization
[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 […]
National Dance Institute Launches NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning; Furthers NDI Leadership as Premiere Arts Education Organization
[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.
DREAM: Pair Spreads Love of Dance to Children with Special Needs
One step at a time. Agnes McConlogue Ferro and Kay Gayner are working to change the definition of "dancer." "Everyone can dance - if you can blink your eyes, you can dance. And in some ways, the world maybe doesn't quite see it that way yet, but they should," Gayner said.
Harlem World Magazine Interviews NDI Executive Director, Traci Lester
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.