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 New Mexico Starts New Program
November 20, 2023 | KQRE | By Isaac Cruz The National Dance Institute (NDI) New Mexico announced its inaugural teaching artists in residence program. The program is designed to expand the organization’s relationships with world-class dancers, choreographers and other...
Every step counts: Santa Fe native Dana Tai Soon Burgess returns to teach at NDI New Mexico
January 15, 2024 | The Albuquerque Journal | By Adrian Gomez Dana Tai Soon Burgess grew up in the Casa Solana area of Santa Fe and had big dreams. The dancer wanted to make an impact in the world. Mission accomplished. Today, Burgess has his own dance company, Dana...
Dance Dream: A Pasatiempo Article
December 1, 2023 | Pasatiempo | By Michael Wade Simpson Dana Tai Soon Burgess is a Korean American choreographer. His Korean given name, Tai Soon, means “great serenity of the family,” and while he has lived in Washington, D.C., for 35 years and worked globally, he...
Learn More about the Teaching Artist In Residence Program
Teaching Artist in Residence Program Application