Winter 2020 Newsletter

Get to know NDI’s Equity Advocate Calia Marshall

National Dance Institute is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has announced the appointment of NDI teaching artist Calia Marshall to the newly created position of Equity Advocate.

“This is an opportunity to say we are trying to be the best institution we can be,” said NDI Executive Director Traci Lester. “Calia is helping us ensure that NDI’s work in this area is central to the success of all students, and that it is clear in our mission and values.” 

Calia, an NDI teaching artist since 2000, began her work as Equity Advocate with two racial-equity workshops for the NDI teaching staff and one for leaders of the Associates of NDI (ANDIs), who gathered at our Harlem studios in October. Her further plans include leading staff discussions on how racial identities affect our work, as well as crafting an equity statement to support NDI’s educational mission.

“My understanding of equity is that everyone gets what they need in order to thrive,” said Calia, who teaches NDI classes at PS 163, PS 235, and PS 199. “Because we don’t live in a world where everyone is treated equally, we need to balance the scales by finding structures that are equitable.”

Artistic Director Ellen Weinstein said: “I am thrilled that Calia will bring her expertise and passion for equity and social justice work to NDI and lead us in our efforts to advance the values of diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and the communities we serve.”

After a successful launch in October, the NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning is growing apace.

The Collaborative, NDI’s professional development program led by director Emily Meisner, is designed to share our acclaimed teaching method with teaching artists, dance educators, musicians, and organizations worldwide. Core to the training is the NDI Method, which embodies Jacques d’Amboise’s philosophy of joyful and rigorous learning for every child, the importance of teamwork, and the power of performance.

Responding to demand, the Collaborative has expanded its menu of class structures, from multi-day workshops to consecutive weekly classes. A newly added class, addressing the interplay between music and dance, will be led by Music Director Jerome Korman and Associate Artistic Director Kay Gayner.

As part of its growth, the Collaborative is offering customized trainings for arts organizations, dance companies, and schools. When American Ballet Theatre’s JKO School Faculty requested the training, Emily Meisner led an October workshop applying NDI’s method to ballet.

The results were enriching, said Harriet Clark, a principal teacher in the JKO School’s children’s division: “What was beautiful about this workshop was that it did so specifically fulfill the needs of our organization – a classical ballet training program – and we gained a sense of real camaraderie.”

To inquire about a customized training, contact Emily Meisner, Director of the NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning, at emeisner@nationaldance.org.  

Upcoming courses include NDI & The Art of Teaching: Music for Dance (Tuesdays, March 17-April 7) and NDI & The Art of Teaching: The NDI Method (March 21-22).

Register for any NDI & The Art of Teaching course by Feb 14, 2020 and save $20.20! Use code 2020.

For more information about the NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning, visit ndicollaborative.org, or contact Natalie A. Correa at ncorrea@nationaldance.org.

NDI alumna Esonia Johnson-Knight is taking on the newly created role of Parent Liaison. Esonia (a part of the NDI family for 30 years!) will be a vibrant presence at rehearsals and engage with families as they watch their children shine at NDI.

Join us at New Jersey Performing Arts Center for NDI’s Celebration Team performance of Voices of Change, which explores activism by shining a light on people who have changed the world for the better. Plus, children of all ages are invited to participate in a free dance workshop at 3:30 pm with NDI teaching artists before the 4:00 pm performance.