Our Programs
This year NDI New Mexico will serve more than 8,000 children, partnering with 271 public school teachers in 90 schools, in 29 communities around the state.
In addition we will deliver 200,000 hours of instruction time.
NDI New Mexico’s fundamental conviction is that every child has the capacity to learn to work hard, never give up, do their best, and ultimately experience success. Whether a child dances with us for one year, or comes back year after year, we know their experience has a positive and lasting impact on the way they move through the world.
Public School Programs
NDI New Mexico classes are taught at public elementary schools during the school day as part of the curriculum. These joyful and energetic classes are taught by highly trained NDI New Mexico teaching artists and professional pianists. In-School classes serve an entire grade level (3rd, 4th, or 5th) and are fully inclusive of all children in a class, including those with special needs. Children in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Pecos, Pojoaque, and the Española Valley, receive 15-30 weekly classes throughout the school year and finish their program with exciting culminating performances. All NDI New Mexico Public School classes are free for children and their families.
Advanced Teams
Many students who are exposed to NDI New Mexico in their public schools demonstrate extraordinary motivation and enthusiasm for the effort and energy the pedagogy requires, and these students are invited to audition to join our Advanced Teams. These teams meet after school or on Saturdays, starting with 4th-6th graders on our Super Wonderful Advanced Team (SWAT) and with programming continuing through middle school with the Celebration Team.
Children who want more instruction, can also register to take after-school dance classes for ages three to eighteen at our two dance studios in Albuquerque at The Hiland Theater, and in Santa Fe at The Dance Barns.
Statewide Residency
NDI New Mexico residency classes are taught at public elementary schools during the school day as part of the curriculum. These joyful and energetic classes are taught by highly trained NDI New Mexico teaching artists and professional pianists. Classes serve an entire grade level (3rd, 4th, or 5th) and are fully inclusive of all children in a class, including those with special needs.
Our traveling Residency team brings music and dance to underserved children in rural and urban communities in all corners of New Mexico. The Residency team lives in each community for one to three weeks, conducting daily in-school dance classes that culminate in exciting, interactive performances in gyms and theaters for students, families, and the community members. Schools, dancers, and communities look forward to NDI New Mexico’s visit each year.
HIP to Be Fit®
Our Dance Studios
The Dance Barns in Santa Fe and The Hiland Theater in Albuquerque provide children three to eighteen, and adults, high-quality dance and performance training in creative movement, ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, voice, hip hop, and more. Classes range from beginner to pre-professional levels and are taught by inspiring teaching artists using their technical dance expertise along with the NDI New Mexico philosophy and teaching methods. These classes are open to all children in the community. Tuition for these programs is offered on a sliding scale, ensuring that every child has the opportunity for an enriching after-school experience. Whether children are exploring their first experience in dance, taking classes for creative expression and exercise, or have their sights set on a career in the performing arts, our after-school programs build a sense of achievement in a nurturing and noncompetitive atmosphere.
Our Dance Studio Companies
Children and teens who participate in our after-school program who are interested in advancing their technical training to a pre-professional track may be invited to audition for the Companies: Junior Company for dancers ages 10-13 at an intermediate level, Apprentice Company for dancers ages 13-16 at intermediate/advanced levels, and Company XCel for dancers ages 15-18 in our most advanced technique classes. Company dancers are given additional performance opportunities, work with guest artists, participate in master classes, as well as receiving support for scholarship funds to pursue summer advanced training opportunities. Â
Summer Programs
NDI New Mexico offers summer programs at their dance studios in Santa Fe at The Dance Barns and in Albuquerque at The Hiland Theater. Classes are for children three to eighteen in tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern and more! Tuition is on a sliding scale and affordable for everyone. Registration opens every spring in March/May.
NDI New Mexico also offers Summer Institute. A three-week, all-day intensive program designed for children and teens who have participated in NDI New Mexico’s public school programs in Santa Fe, Northern New Mexico, Albuquerque, and Residencies. Classes include daily instruction in dance, along with a unique visual art project. Summer Institute provides an opportunity for students to explore the study of different dance techniques and learn choreography which they perform in a joyful culmination for their friends and family at the end of the program.
Teaching Excellence® Workshop
NDI New Mexico is committed to developing highly trained teaching artists to deliver our award-winning pedagogy to over 7,800 children across the state. Teaching artists are the backbone of our programs, and their expertise is vital to a child’s engagement and success. Our Teaching Excellence® Workshop is a critical building block for training our teaching artists to develop the skills needed to conduct fast-paced, dynamic, and engaging classes. During the two-week intensive, participants work with children alongside our own master teachers and are immersed in hands-on training in NDI New Mexico’s highly engaging, fun, and athletic teaching methodology.
Teaching Excellence for Young Children Workshop
NDI New Mexico is proud to collaborate with Allegra Lillard to present her Dance For Joy curriculum and teacher training. This curriculum and approach to teaching young children creates a joyful and nurturing learning environment while building a solid movement foundation for children. This workshop will provide solid concepts, activities, strategies, and classroom management tools one can take directly into the studio to support the whole child. The workshop includes classes for Creative Movement for 3-4 year olds, and Pre-Ballet for 5-6 year olds, and is built upon years of practice and research on how the arts can create a joyful journey for young children to reach key development milestones, supporting their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Train the Trainer
The HIP to be Fit® Train the Trainer curriculum was developed by NDI New Mexico with a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Carol M. White Physical Education Program. The purpose of the curriculum is to provide training, curriculum, and materials for public elementary school teachers so that they will get kids up and moving more throughout the school day. Tied to New Mexico State education, PE and dance standards, and student achievement, the curriculum is designed to increase physical activity while simultaneously teaching children core curriculum subjects including language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
Teaching Artist in Residence Program
