2021Patrick Martinez, 37, began his NDI New Mexico experience like so many other children: participating as an elementary school student in the in-school program. “I enjoyed it from the very beginning,” Martinez said. “Even as a little kid I loved dancing. I saw it as a cool opportunity to dance at school.”
Martinez graduated from the in-school program to SWAT, then advanced again to Celebration Team and Company XCel as he continued to develop his dance skills. Along the way he participated in a variety of dance styles and disciplines, but his favorite remained tap. “It’s just so much fun,” he said. “I loved it immediately. There’s something special about the constant feedback you get from the sound and movement of tap dancing.”
Martinez participated in NDI New Mexico until his junior year of high school, accumulating countless memories he continues to cherish. For example, he was chosen to participate in a month-long dance program in New York City when he was in 7th grade, staying with a host family and experiencing a big city for the first time. “A few performances also really stand out,” he said, noting that he participated in the iconic “Lights, Camera, Action!” performance at the historic Lensic Theater in downtown Santa Fe. “I was also lucky enough to be selected as one of the dancers to represent NDI New Mexico Co-Founder Jacques d’Amboise in a performance dedicated to him. That was an honor.”
Martinez is now 37 years old, a father of three and executive director of facilities for Rio Rancho Public Schools. When asked how NDI New Mexico informed his life as a busy professional and parent, he did not hesitate. “Gaining confidence was one of the biggest ways NDI New Mexico impacted me,” he said. “I learned how to perform in front of people, which can initially be very intimidating when you’re young. But I learned how to express myself in front of people and learned how to play a role within a larger group. That really resonated with me as an adult. I learned how to be present, to try new things with confidence and that if you make a mistake, it’s OK – you just keep trying until you get it right.”
“I learned how to be present, to try new things with confidence and that if you make a mistake, it’s OK – you just keep trying until you get it right.”
When asked what he would say to other parents considering NDI New Mexico for their children, Martinez did not hesitate. “I would tell them that NDI New Mexico gave me the opportunity to experience many events and special moments that were very important, and which I simply would not have experienced otherwise. It’s just so valuable for so many reasons.”