National Dance Institute New Mexico

National Dance Institute New Mexico is a Santa Fe-based nonprofit that uses dance and the performing arts to build confidence, discipline, and a sense of achievement in children. Founded in 1994 and inspired by the national National Dance Institute model created by dancer Jacques d'Amboise, it brings high-energy dance instruction to thousands of New Mexico schoolchildren each year.

The organization's core in-school program sends professional teaching artists into public schools to lead dance classes, often reaching every child in a participating grade regardless of background or ability. The approach emphasizes effort, focus, and excellence, using dance as a vehicle to teach broader life skills and to engage children who might not otherwise thrive in traditional settings.

NDI New Mexico operates dedicated dance centers, including the Dance Barns in Santa Fe and a center in Albuquerque, where students can continue training beyond the classroom through after-school and advanced programs. These facilities serve as hubs for performances, advanced instruction, and community engagement.

The organization reaches students across northern New Mexico and beyond, including many in rural and underserved communities. Its programs culminate in performances that give children the experience of working toward and achieving a public goal, building confidence that extends into other areas of their lives. Scholarships and free programming ensure access for children regardless of family income.

Research and experience tie arts participation to improved academic engagement and self-discipline, and NDI New Mexico leverages dance to support the development of the whole child. Supported by donations, grants, and performance revenue, the organization has become one of the state's most prominent arts education nonprofits, using movement and music to enrich the lives of New Mexico's young people.