Teaching Artist in Residence Program at NDI New Mexico
Now Seeking Applicants for the 2026-27 Teaching Artist in Residence
The Teaching Artist in Residence program is designed to be a mutually beneficial partnership between NDI New Mexico and high-caliber choreographers in the field of dance. The residency is an opportunity for NDI New Mexico to give students a unique way to learn and grow by working with a professional choreographer with a heart for youth development and dance education. The NDI New Mexico staff and community will also benefit from education and enrichment opportunities, and the inspiration of seeing a great artist create great contemporary work on our dancers. The Teaching Artist has the potential for a commission for their work, exposure to NDI New Mexico’s audiences in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and the means to expand their outreach work to have an impact on youth.
The Teaching Artist in Residence creates or stages choreography with multiple groups of students, ideally in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque over the course of a program year, creating works performed in a variety of NDI New Mexico events, and leading educational and enriching activities for NDI New Mexico staff and the broader community. If you are interested in applying for the 2027 program, please fill out the form below.
For more information on our Teaching Artist in Residence Program, please contact:
Liz Salganek, Artistic Director: Email | (505) 557-6046
Previous Artists
2025-2026: Ellen Weinstein
Ellen Weinstein, National Dance Institute Artistic Director Emerita, began teaching and choreographing for National Dance Institute (NDI) in 1986 and served as Artistic Director from 1995 to 2021. Most recently, Ms Weinstein served as the Interim Managing Director for the Misty Copeland Foundation. Read more…
2024-2025: Lillian Barbeito
Lillian Barbeito, a Santa Fe native, is a Juilliard-educated artist who received a four-year, full-tuition scholarship from Tomorrow’s Leaders of America for her vision of global harmony through dance. She began her career performing with renowned institutions including The Santa Fe Opera and Southwest Ballet before going on to co-found BODYTRAFFIC in Los Angeles. Read more…
2023-2024: Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Dana Tai Soon Burgess served as NDI New Mexico’s inaugural Teaching Artist in Residence in 2024. In addition to teaching and choreographing for our students, Dana and his company participated in an array of events including master classes, choreograhy workshops for staff and the local dance community, and public events. Read more…
“Thank you the challenging and beautiful experience you cultivated for my son and the other dancers. The caliber of instruction, exposure to the real world of dance, and focus on social justice from both of the guest companies and choreographers is such a gift for everyone involved.”
Rebecca
NDI New Mexico Parent
Teaching Artist in Residence Press
NDI Dancers Show What Freedom Means Through “Moving Stories”
February 19, 2025 | Albuquerque Journal | By Nakayla Mcclelland Freedom means different things to different people, and the National Dance Institute of New Mexico strives to translate the meaning of the word through movement and expression. At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28,...
Dance Lesson: Renowned Choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess Teams Up with NDI New Mexico Students
July 25, 2024 | Albuquerque Journal | By Rozanna M. Martinez A new partnership is bringing together high-caliber choreographers with NDI New Mexico students. The new Teaching Artist in Residence program invites a renowned choreographer and their dance company to...
NDI of New Mexico Announces “Spring Into Motion,” The Annual Performance of its Advanced Dancers
Feburary 7, 2024 | News Release “Spring Into Motion” features NDI New Mexico dancers performing “El Muro/The Wall,” choreographed by NDI New Mexico Inaugural Teaching Artist in Residence Dana Tai Soon Burgess; and “Unfolding,” an original, collaborative work with...
Learn More about the Teaching Artist In Residence Program
Teaching Artist in Residence Program Application