National Dance Institute (NDI) Celebrated 50 Years of NDI with “Don’t Stop Us Now!”Event of the Year

Featuring more than 200 talented young dancers from New York City schools, NDI’s 2026 Event of the Year returned to the NYU Skirball stage this June. The beloved and frequently sold-out annual tradition was an exciting culmination of NDI’s 50th Year of In-School programming.

Running from June 13-15, this year’s production showcased signature NDI repertoire spanning five decades—including works by NDI’s legendary founder, the late Jacques d’Amboise—alongside inspiring new choreography for the next generation of NDI dancers, all performed to live music.

During their performances at the 850-seat theater in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, NDI dancers honored founder Jacques d'Amboise’s legacy of international exchange, social justice, and artistic resilience. The program featured choreography inspired by global cultures—from China to West Africa—and the vibrant spirit of Harlem and New Orleans.

Directed by NDI Artistic Director Kay Gayner, with consultation from Artistic Director Emerita Ellen Weinstein and former Music Director Jerome Korman, “Don’t Stop Us Now!” featured music and dance across genres, as well as the world premieres of energizing new works by Jerron Herman, NDI’s 2025-26 Helen Stambler Neuberger Artist-in-Residence, who choreographed for students with and without disabilities, and by Elizabeth Sellner, NDI Advanced Teams Rehearsal Director and Teaching Artist; Eliana Slurzberg, NDI Teaching Artist and 2023 Marc Solomon Teaching Artist Fellow; and Kenna Morris Garcia, Teaching Artist and 2022 Marc Solomon Teaching Artist Fellow.

“As we celebrate five decades of NDI, we honor the boundless spirit of Jacques d’Amboise and his belief in the power of dance to help every child discover their own brilliance,” said Jermaine Jones, Executive Director of National Dance Institute. “Seeing these extraordinary young dancers perform is a vivid reminder of what’s possible when children are empowered through the arts. For 50 years, NDI has demonstrated that arts education is essential to young people’s growth, confidence, and sense of belonging.”

“It is an extraordinary honor to direct this production during our 50th anniversary year,” said Kay Gayner, Artistic Director of National Dance Institute. “What excites me most is seeing beloved works from our history performed alongside bold new choreography from our NDI community. It’s a beautiful reminder that Jacques’ vision endures alongside the creativity and voices of the next generation.”

When NDI hosted its first annual NDI Event of the Year, “Dance on a May Day,” in 1977 at the New York State Theater, 30 young boys participated. For nearly 50 years, NDI has hosted an annual Event of the Year to celebrate the culmination of the school year, each following a different theme. Past themes included A Celtic Tale (1987), 20th Century American Song: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (2000), Volando a México (2008), and Under One Sky: NDI Dances China (2014), which included young dancers from Shanghai, China. Every year, more than 6,500 children in NDI’s In-School Program perform vibrant, original choreography on the theme for their communities. From this incredible group, 200 talented dancers are selected for a deeper experience—taking the stage at NYU Skirball to bring that theme to life in a spectacular performance.

About National Dance Institute (NDI)
National Dance Institute is a non-profit arts education organization that brings children together through inclusive dance and music programs. Founded by legendary dancer Jacques d’Amboise in the belief that every child should have access to learning in and through the arts, NDI impacts the lives of thousands of children worldwide. Learn more: https://nationaldance.org/.