DANCE DELIVERS

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #91 – June 4, 2011


I happened to see an interview on TV today with Jacques d’Amboise. He is the former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. When asked how he got into ballet, he said, his mom wanted to keep him from getting in trouble with the “street kids,” so she made him join her and his sister at his sister’s ballet class. In order not to make it a complete waste of his time, he used to make “fart” noises and do other stunts to disrupt his sister’s class. The teacher (a very wise lady), responded by asking:
“Young man, why don’t you come here and see if you can jump as high as the girls?” He was hooked.


After a brilliant career with the New York City Ballet, as dancer and choreographer, Mr. d’Amboise founded the National Dance Institute (NDI). This institute was founded in the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children and motivate them toward excellence. NDI strives to reach every child, transcending barriers of language, culture, and physical challenges. This group has impacted the lives of over 2 million children.


Year after year, NDI transforms the lives of over 35,000 New York City public school students, their parents, teachers and local communities through classes, residencies and performances. They work with mainstream, bilingual, and special education classes.


An education in the performing arts, endows children with the experience of social interaction and develops personal standards that become key aspects of their lives. Children who are fortunate to have an early exposure to elements of the performing arts, dance and music during their primary education develop confidence in achievement, self discipline, learning techniques, social interaction, and learn the importance of structured routines, and the ability to work together. These skills will serve them well through their academic careers and in their achievements as adults.


After the Jacques d’Amboise interview, Two small groups of New York City students gave a brief performance. One group did a sort of modern ballet, wearing tennis shoes. The second group did a highly spirited clogging dance. The brilliant performance, accompanied by the sheer joy and exuberance beaming from the faces of those children, was a powerful testament to the value of the arts in education. We need more like Jacques d’Amboise in this world!

Dancing is just discovery, discovery, discovery. ~Martha Graham