About
National Dance Institute Core Programs include in-school dance programs, teacher training, an Early Childhood Workshop, and special events such as the Runs & Leaps Extravaganza. The program also features NDI’s 2026 Event of the Year Performances, NDI Alumni Weekend: Summer 2026, and a 50th Anniversary Gala, along with opportunities connected to event sponsorship and a scholarship fund.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Teacher Training Online April 2, 9:30 PM–11:00 PM; major events scheduled between April 27 and July 28, 2026
• Price: $25/month sponsors a student for a full semester.
NDI is celebrating its 50th year. The organization’s mission is to teach children to reach their full potential through inclusive dance education, directly serving students in its flagship NYC programs while training teaching artists worldwide to bring the NDI methodology to their communities. Its programs will reach 5,000 children this year across New York City and beyond through weekly in-school programs, teacher training, and opportunities to perform on stage. Community involvement includes quality weekly dance classes in partner schools in the NYC metro area and long-term collaborations with schools, along with joyful, experiential training for educators.
Unique features of the Runs & Leaps Extravaganza include a pop-up style celebration of NDI’s signature step “Runs and Leaps,” where every child gets a singular moment in the spotlight to shine and express themselves to the fullest. The program is rooted in a mission of artistic excellence and inclusive opportunity and offers rigorous arts education without toxic perfectionism. Leadership and artistic guidance are connected to Jacques d’Amboise (Founder), Kay Gayner (NDI Artistic Director), Christopher d’Amboise (Consultant), Ellen Weinstein (NDI Artistic Director Emerita), and Heidi (Teaching Artist).
Testimonials from participants and staff describe experiences such as learning that it does not matter where someone is from, what they look like, or who they are to experience and love this form of expression, and that the NDI DREAM program impacts everyone involved and celebrates the joy of dance and how it brings people together. Other statements include “A great teacher can save a child’s life,” that NDI’s pedagogy challenges children beyond what they ever dreamed possible but not beyond what they are capable of, and that NDI inspires students to believe they can do anything if they put their mind to it. Students and alumni also report that NDI helped them to be brave, to engage with life in a joyful way, to learn fellowship and discipline, and that NDI shaped their lives and feels like family.
Last updated April 17, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Teacher Training Online April 2, 9:30 PM–11:00 PM; major events scheduled between April 27 and July 28, 2026
• Price: $25/month sponsors a student for a full semester.
NDI is celebrating its 50th year. The organization’s mission is to teach children to reach their full potential through inclusive dance education, directly serving students in its flagship NYC programs while training teaching artists worldwide to bring the NDI methodology to their communities. Its programs will reach 5,000 children this year across New York City and beyond through weekly in-school programs, teacher training, and opportunities to perform on stage. Community involvement includes quality weekly dance classes in partner schools in the NYC metro area and long-term collaborations with schools, along with joyful, experiential training for educators.
Unique features of the Runs & Leaps Extravaganza include a pop-up style celebration of NDI’s signature step “Runs and Leaps,” where every child gets a singular moment in the spotlight to shine and express themselves to the fullest. The program is rooted in a mission of artistic excellence and inclusive opportunity and offers rigorous arts education without toxic perfectionism. Leadership and artistic guidance are connected to Jacques d’Amboise (Founder), Kay Gayner (NDI Artistic Director), Christopher d’Amboise (Consultant), Ellen Weinstein (NDI Artistic Director Emerita), and Heidi (Teaching Artist).
Testimonials from participants and staff describe experiences such as learning that it does not matter where someone is from, what they look like, or who they are to experience and love this form of expression, and that the NDI DREAM program impacts everyone involved and celebrates the joy of dance and how it brings people together. Other statements include “A great teacher can save a child’s life,” that NDI’s pedagogy challenges children beyond what they ever dreamed possible but not beyond what they are capable of, and that NDI inspires students to believe they can do anything if they put their mind to it. Students and alumni also report that NDI helped them to be brave, to engage with life in a joyful way, to learn fellowship and discipline, and that NDI shaped their lives and feels like family.
Last updated April 17, 2026.
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