National Dance Institute

National Dance Institute National Dance Institute (NDI) brings the joy of dance and music to thousands of children each year.
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Founded in 1976 by Jacques d’Amboise & now celebrating 50 years, NDI partners with public schools to provide free dance education to all. National Dance Institute (NDI) brings the joy of dance and music into the lives of thousands of children each year. Founded in 1976 by Jacques d’Amboise, we are proud to be celebrating our 50th anniversary year. In partnership with public schools, families, and

communities, NDI creates spaces where every child can move, create, and belong. Our programs are designed to nurture confidence, spark creativity, and build a sense of community so that all children, regardless of background, ability, or experience, have the opportunity to grow through the arts.

✨ NDI’s FREE Summer Dance Program returns this August! ✨Rising 4th & 5th graders are invited to spend two joyful weeks d...
06/03/2026

✨ NDI’s FREE Summer Dance Program returns this August! ✨
Rising 4th & 5th graders are invited to spend two joyful weeks dancing, creating, building confidence, and making community alongside NDI Teaching Artists and musicians. 💛

No previous dance or music experience necessary — just come ready to move!

🗓 July 27 – August 7, 2026
(weekdays only)
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM daily
🎭 Final family performance: August 7 at 11:15 AM
📍 NDI’s Jacques d’Amboise Center for Learning & the Arts
217 W 147th Street, NYC

Perfect for current NDI families, siblings, alumni families, and brand new students alike.
This program is free of charge.

✨ Reserve your spot by clicking the link below
https://www.nationaldance.org/en/free-dance-and-music-program-for-children

We're proud to present our 2026 Event of The Year: "Don't Stop Us Now! 50 Years of NDI" at NYU Skirball June 13–15!With ...
06/02/2026

We're proud to present our 2026 Event of The Year: "Don't Stop Us Now! 50 Years of NDI" at NYU Skirball June 13–15!

With over 200 talented children performing from across NYC, "Don't Stop Us Now!" will feature signature NDI repertoire from the past five decades, created by Jacques d'Amboise, Ellen Weinstein, Madame Chen Bai Hua of Shanghai, Christopher d'Amboise, and NDI's incredible team of choreographers, as well as new pieces for the next generation of NDI dancers.

Directed by Artistic Director Kay Gayner with consultation by Artistic Director Emerita Ellen Weinstein and former Music Director Jerome Korman, these joyful and dynamic performances will celebrate the creativity, excellence, and transformative power of the arts that have defined NDI for 50 years!

Tickets are selling fast! Reserve your seats → https://bit.ly/49BxLS0

05/31/2026

He didn’t show up, but NDI did. 🫂⁠
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NDI alum Garland Albert found discipline, belonging, and joy that stayed with him for life.⁠
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From the stage 👉 to the Navy 👉 to healthcare.⁠
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Every child deserves that.⁠
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Learn more about NDI's 50 years of impact → https://bit.ly/4mMwQ6w
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05/30/2026

We tested something and it gave us chills!! 👇⁠
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We played songs from our alumni’s NDI years, and every single one immediately knew the choreography.⁠
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50 years later, the movement is still with them. 🥹⁠
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Now it’s your turn. What do you remember?⁠
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Dance with us once, dance with us forever.⁠
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Learn more → https://bit.ly/42K7LA6
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05/29/2026

Tickets are selling fast for NDI’s Event of the Year:�"Don’t Stop Us Now! 50 Years of NDI"!

And if you’ve ever been to an NDI EOY or an NDI Student Matinee… you already know the energy is unmatched. 💥

Every year, hundreds of NYC students fill the theater, cheering for their friends, waving school signs, singing along, and experiencing the joy of live performance together.

Last year, the whole audience broke into “We Will Rock You.” 🎸

Because when arts education becomes part of a child’s school experience, these songs become theirs too.

📍 NYU Skirball
📅 June 13–15�
🎟️ Grab your seats now → https://bit.ly/49BxLS0

A story we had to share. 💙As part of a school art project, students were asked to create a figure who inspires them.Pipe...
05/28/2026

A story we had to share. 💙

As part of a school art project, students were asked to create a figure who inspires them.

Piper, a 5th grader at PS 40 in Manhattan, chose Jacques d’Amboise, while her best friend created Misty Copeland.

Their teacher, Mr. Kane, loved how well the two sculptures paired together and submitted them to the .

The works were officially selected for this year’s exhibit at El Museo del Barrio and you can go see them this month! 🙌

As we celebrate NDI’s 50th year, we’re incredibly moved to see Jacques’ legacy continue to inspire young artists in new generations.

05/26/2026

A different way of learning. A different way of seeing yourself. 👀⁠
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For Jen Aks, discovering kinesthetic and emotional intelligence changed everything. ⁠
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What once felt like struggle became clarity, confidence, and purpose.⁠
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Now through NDI, she’s making sure every child feels seen and empowered in the way they learn best!⁠
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“The NDI method helps kids understand there are many ways to learn, many ways to be intelligent, and many ways to succeed.”⁠
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Want to share YOUR favorite NDI memory? Learn how → https://bit.ly/4cGGjrw
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05/22/2026

What happens when every body belongs in the creative process? 💛

Inside DREAM rehearsal with NDI’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence Jerron Herman — developing an original new work that will premiere at this year’s Event of the Year, “Don’t Stop Us Now! 50 Years of NDI.”

Through collaboration, movement exploration, and joyful experimentation, DREAM dancers are helping shape a process where every body’s knowledge and perspective matters.

“I get to encourage young people with disabilities to think about a pathway into the arts and be an example of professionalism.” — Jerron Herman

We can’t wait for audiences to experience this work on the Skirball stage this June. ✨

Follow along for more DREAM and EOY rehearsal updates.

05/21/2026

She heard the music… and her body remembered. 🎧😍

Years later. No rehearsal. No warning.

Once you dance with NDI, it never leaves you.

It lives in your muscles. Your memory. Your spirit.

Dance with us once, dance with us forever.

Learn more → https://bit.ly/492QOnV

Address

217 West 147th Street
New York, NY
10039

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Website

https://linkin.bio/nationaldanceinstitute

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