National Dance Institute Core Programs
Jacques d’Amboise Center for Learning & the Arts – Arnold S. & Madaleine Penner Building, 217 West 147th Street, New York, NY 10039
About
National Dance Institute Core Programs include weekly dance classes and teacher training. The program uses inclusive dance education and NDI’s unique pedagogy, which challenges children beyond what they ever dreamed possible, but not beyond what they are capable of. It also features rigorous arts education without toxic perfectionism and a Runs & Leaps Extravaganza, a pop-up style celebration of NDI’s signature step “Runs and Leaps” where every child gets their singular moment in the spotlight.
• Price: $25/month sponsors a student for a full semester.
National Dance Institute Core Programs are part of an organization founded by legendary ballet dancer Jacques d’Amboise. The leadership team includes Ellen Weinstein, NDI Artistic Director Emerita; Kay Gayner, NDI Artistic Director; and Christopher d’Amboise, Consultant. NDI is celebrating 50 years, with its 50th Anniversary Gala on April 27, 2026. The mission of the program is: “We teach children to reach their full potential through inclusive dance education—directly serving students in our flagship NYC programs while training teaching artists worldwide to bring our proven NDI methodology to their communities.”
The program offers quality weekly dance classes in partner schools in the NYC metro area and long-term collaborations with schools. NDI’s groundbreaking programs will reach 5000 children this year across New York City and beyond, and the organization trains teaching artists worldwide to bring the NDI methodology to their communities.
Testimonials from students, alumni, and teachers describe their experiences with NDI. One NDI dancer and Celebration Team member says, “NDI has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you are from, what you look like, or who you are to experience and love this form of expression.” A teaching artist, Heidi, says the NDI DREAM program “doesn't just impact the children with disabilities, it impacts everyone involved. It celebrates the joy of dance and how it brings people together... it changes you as a person and makes you a better human being.” Founder Jacques d’Amboise states, “A great teacher can save a child’s life.” Ellen Weinstein says, “NDI’s unique pedagogy challenges children beyond what they ever dreamed possible, but not beyond what they are capable of.” Students share that “NDI inspires me to believe that I can do anything if I put my mind to it” (Manny, PS 214) and “NDI helped me to be brave” (Edwin, PS 235). Alumni note, “I learned to engage with life in a joyful way. From Jacques to Ellen through the long line of teachers, NDI instills a passion for exploring the world that extends far beyond the classroom or dance studio,” and, “I learned fellowship, discipline, and that I'm valuable and important. I didn't know to really appreciate what NDI did in my life then because I was so young, but I never forget that NDI always will be my family. NDI shaped my life.”
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Price: $25/month sponsors a student for a full semester.
National Dance Institute Core Programs are part of an organization founded by legendary ballet dancer Jacques d’Amboise. The leadership team includes Ellen Weinstein, NDI Artistic Director Emerita; Kay Gayner, NDI Artistic Director; and Christopher d’Amboise, Consultant. NDI is celebrating 50 years, with its 50th Anniversary Gala on April 27, 2026. The mission of the program is: “We teach children to reach their full potential through inclusive dance education—directly serving students in our flagship NYC programs while training teaching artists worldwide to bring our proven NDI methodology to their communities.”
The program offers quality weekly dance classes in partner schools in the NYC metro area and long-term collaborations with schools. NDI’s groundbreaking programs will reach 5000 children this year across New York City and beyond, and the organization trains teaching artists worldwide to bring the NDI methodology to their communities.
Testimonials from students, alumni, and teachers describe their experiences with NDI. One NDI dancer and Celebration Team member says, “NDI has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you are from, what you look like, or who you are to experience and love this form of expression.” A teaching artist, Heidi, says the NDI DREAM program “doesn't just impact the children with disabilities, it impacts everyone involved. It celebrates the joy of dance and how it brings people together... it changes you as a person and makes you a better human being.” Founder Jacques d’Amboise states, “A great teacher can save a child’s life.” Ellen Weinstein says, “NDI’s unique pedagogy challenges children beyond what they ever dreamed possible, but not beyond what they are capable of.” Students share that “NDI inspires me to believe that I can do anything if I put my mind to it” (Manny, PS 214) and “NDI helped me to be brave” (Edwin, PS 235). Alumni note, “I learned to engage with life in a joyful way. From Jacques to Ellen through the long line of teachers, NDI instills a passion for exploring the world that extends far beyond the classroom or dance studio,” and, “I learned fellowship, discipline, and that I'm valuable and important. I didn't know to really appreciate what NDI did in my life then because I was so young, but I never forget that NDI always will be my family. NDI shaped my life.”
Last updated July 29, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.