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.

08/26/2026

At NDI, music and dance are always in conversation. 🎶
As NDI Music Director Yakir Ben-Hur puts it, they’re almost inseparable. Music inspires movement. Movement responds to music. And when they come together, something entirely new can happen.
That exchange is at the heart of the NDI experience—and it’s made possible by the incredible musicians who bring their artistry into our classrooms and performances every day.
Now, it’s their turn to take center stage. ✨
Join us for NDI JAMZ, a special night celebrating the extraordinary professional artists behind the music of NDI.
🎵 NDI JAMZ
📅 Monday, October 5th
📍 National Dance Institute
🎟️ https://www.nationaldance.org/en/events/ndi-jamz

08/25/2026

🎾 Another incredible day at the US Open !🎾

NDI was thrilled to return to Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day—and our dancers brought ALL the energy to the Fountain Plaza Stage. ✨

There’s something pretty special about getting to share the joy of NDI with families from all over at one of New York City’s most iconic sporting events.

A huge thank you to the US Open for welcoming us back, to everyone who came out to cheer on our dancers, and, of course, to these incredible young artists for lighting up the stage. ❤️
Until next year? 😉🎾

Meet Team Jacques runner Ezra!“NDI has given so much to the children of the Bronx. I am honored to represent them at the...
08/24/2026

Meet Team Jacques runner Ezra!

“NDI has given so much to the children of the Bronx. I am honored to represent them at the marathon this year!”

Ezra is taking on the NYC Marathon with Team Jacques in honor of the P.S. 51 community and the young people of The Bronx STEM and Arts Academy. Through NDI, students have the opportunity to dance, create, and express themselves through the arts—and Ezra is running to celebrate that impact and give back to a community that means so much to him. ❤️

26.2 miles. One incredible community. And a whole lot to run for.
Help cheer Ezra all the way to the finish line by making a gift in his honor by clicking the link below:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/ndi2026marathon

08/23/2026

Jaimie Kelton · Yesterday at 3:58pm
🎾 We’re heading back to the US Open! 🎾
For the third year, National Dance Institute is thrilled to perform at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day—and we can’t wait to bring some NDI joy, energy, and DANCE back to Fan Week! ✨
If you’re heading to the US Open this Sunday, come cheer on our incredible dancers and kick off the day with us!
📅 Sunday, August 23
⏰ 10:30 AM
📍 Fountain Plaza Stage
See you there! 🎾💃🏽🕺🏽

✨ More DREAM, because one post simply wasn’t enough. ✨Our second group of DREAM dancers brought their own joy, artistry,...
08/21/2026

✨ More DREAM, because one post simply wasn’t enough. ✨

Our second group of DREAM dancers brought their own joy, artistry, energy, and heart to the stage—and we loved watching every moment of it.

DREAM is about creating a space where dancers with and without disabilities can learn, create, and perform together. And these young artists showed us just how powerful—and joyful—that can be. 💫

Swipe through DREAM: Performance Two for 20 moments celebrating this incredible group of dancers and everything they created together this summer.

And if you haven’t seen Performance One yet, head to our previous post to celebrate the first group of DREAM dancers who took the stage.

Two performances. Two incredible groups of young artists. One unforgettable DREAM. ❤️

✨ Still dreaming about DREAM. ✨What a way to close out the summer.Our DREAM dancers took the stage last week and filled ...
08/21/2026

✨ Still dreaming about DREAM. ✨

What a way to close out the summer.
Our DREAM dancers took the stage last week and filled it with joy, energy, courage, and so much heart. DREAM brings together dancers with and without disabilities to dance, create, learn, and perform side by side—and after weeks of growing together, getting to watch it all come to life onstage was pure NDI magic. 💫

This is DREAM: Performance One—20 moments that capture just a little of what made this group and this performance so special.

And we’re not done celebrating! Head to our next post for DREAM: Performance Two and another incredible group of young artists taking the stage.

For now, give it up for these extraordinary dancers! ❤️

08/20/2026

"The arts are super important right now. It's one of the ways for children to be energetic, to be physical, to learn about themselves and their bodies, but also to feel a sense of being part of something bigger..."

During NDI's Runs & Leaps Extravaganza, our Executive Director, Jermaine Jones, shared with Spectrum News NY1 [] why arts education matters now more than ever.

For 50 years, NDI has helped children discover confidence, creativity, and community through dance. Today, we serve more than 6,500 New York City students each year, creating spaces where every child can belong, express themselves, and thrive.

Learn more about NDI's 50-year legacy and the impact we're making every day at the link below. 💙
https://www.nationaldance.org/en/ndi-50-years

08/19/2026

🎶 Join us for NDI JAMZ! 🎶

We’re thrilled to announce a new date for NDI JAMZ—a night that puts the incredible musicians of NDI center stage.

Live music has always been at the heart of the NDI method. Our musicians don’t simply accompany the movement—they respond to it, shape it, and help bring each moment to life. As NDI Music Director Yakir Ben-Hur says, it’s “almost like putting the image in color.”

And here’s something you may not know: many of the musicians who teach and inspire NDI dancers are also extraordinary professional performing artists.

NDI JAMZ is our chance to turn the spotlight on them. ✨

Come see another side of the artists who make NDI so special—and celebrate the live music that is so essential to everything we do.

🎵 NDI JAMZ
📅 Monday, October 5th
📍 National Dance Institute
🎟️ https://www.nationaldance.org/en/events/ndi-jamz

08/18/2026

Thank you to the one and only Mr. G and PIX11 () for celebrating 50 years of NDI with us! 💛

Mr. G joined us at our Runs & Leaps Extravaganza in Central Park (), where hundreds of NDI alumni, students, families, friends, and supporters came together to dance, reconnect, and celebrate the community NDI has built over five decades.

We’re so grateful to Mr. G and PIX11 for helping us share the joy—and the lasting impact of NDI—with New York City. Here’s to the next 50 years! ✨

Meet Team Jacques! 💙“I'm honored to return for my second marathon and to run for a mission that reminds us the arts are ...
08/17/2026

Meet Team Jacques! 💙

“I'm honored to return for my second marathon and to run for a mission that reminds us the arts are not simply something we learn—they are a way of understanding ourselves, connecting with one another, and imagining what is possible." — Stephanie Coraci

Stephanie first joined the NDI family as an intern with our music department in 2019, and returned last year as a member of our Teaching Collaborative staff.

She also took on another role: Team Jacques runner! After completing the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon with Team Jacques, Stefanie is back for 2026 and ready to take on all 26.2 miles once again. ✨

We’re thrilled to have Stephanie representing NDI for another year and raising funds to help bring the transformative power of dance and music to more children across New York City.

Support Stephanie and Team Jacques by clicking the link below!
www.justgiving.com/campaign/ndi2026marathon

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