Keepin’ it in the Family!
Santa Fe resident Elisha Wray has a notable position within the NDI New Mexico family: In the early 1990s she was one of the very first NDI New Mexico participants, dancing with co-founder Catherine Oppenheimer as a third grader at Carlos Gilbert Elementary School. Her father, a Santa Fe firefighter and paramedic, served as a volunteer at NDI New Mexico’s early public performances. And now, nearly 30 years later, Wray’s two children – Kaylee Dorgan, age 15, and 11-year-old Dominic Romero – are NDI New Mexico dancers.
“We are a three-generation NDI New Mexico family,” Wray said, adding that she remained with the program through junior high school. “I took to it immediately,” she said. “I loved dancing, and I loved the instructors, all of whom had professional backgrounds.” The idea that a talented girl like herself living in a small town could study dance with world-renowned artists “didn’t seem attainable in Santa Fe until NDI New Mexico was established. It was like being in a movie.”
Wray has fond memories of the “old pink church,” which was NDI New Mexico’s original home, and performing at The Dance Barns when it officially opened in 2003. She also has vivid memories of how her time with NDI New Mexico helped shape her as an adult, professional and parent.
“The discipline and commitment to excellence absolutely informed me as an adult, as did the commitment to the local community and its people. It’s something that I have always instilled in my children.”
She noted that Kaylee and Dominic benefited from NDI New Mexico’s expanded programming over the years, which enabled them to participate as toddlers in classes such as Creative Movement. “Kaylee took to it immediately,” Wray said. “Dominic was a bit shy at first, but by the second year he loved it as well. At this point, they have been dancing with NDI New Mexico nearly their entire lives.”
She added that both children always felt very welcomed at NDI New Mexico. “In school, there can be competitiveness and negativity for kids, whereas The Dance Barns has always been a safe space, where all kids are embraced as the people they are.”
Wray, and NDI New Mexico, have every reason to celebrate Kaylee and Dominic. Kaylee was a standout in both the SWAT and Celebration teams, excelling in ballet. She is currently enrolled in the New Mexico School for the Arts, Family!with a focus on dance. Dominic is a member of SWAT and excels at jazz technique. He also plays piano and trombone. In addition, both children continue the family tradition of community engagement as volunteers for Assistance Dogs of the West.
“I’m very proud of Kaylee and Dominic,” Wray said. “They never give up. Once they set their minds to something, they figure out how to achieve their goal. And a lot of that stems from the discipline they learned at NDI New Mexico.”