2009 Annual Report Design Ag.Indd

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Jacques d’Amboise Leslee Asch Ellen Weinstein Tracy Straus Founder Executive Director Artistic Director Associate Artistic Director 2009 Annual Report

National Dance Institute, 594 Broadway, Room 805, New York, NY 10012 Tel (212) 226-0083 www.nationaldance.org Mission

National Dance Institute (NDI) is a not-for-proﬁt arts education organization founded in 1976 by Jacques d’Amboise. Through in-school partnerships, workshops, and public performances, NDI uses dance as a catalyst to engage children and motivate them towards excellence.

NDI strives to reach every child, transcending barriers of language, culture, and physical challenges. Our professional teaching artists foster a love of the arts and a curiosity about the world.

Through our distinctive programs, NDI dancers learn to work together, develop personal standards of excellence, and cultivate a belief in themselves that supports their success in school and in life. From the NDI Directors

Dear Friends,

In FY09 NDI’s vibrant in-school partnerships and advanced scholarship programs continued to flourish. We are proud that despite absorbing 12% budget cuts, we were able to continue to provide the highest quality artistic programs. Our artistic staff and administrative staff worked hard together to make this possible.

The 2008-09 program year saw many developments, including:

• Nearly 4,000 children participated in NDI’s year-long In-School Program • We established a new partnership with DREAM Charter School in East Harlem • We renewed our partnership with Lighthouse International, reaching children and teenagers who are blind or visually-impaired • Yoko Ono, Bernadette Peters, and Board Member Arnold Penner were honored during our Annual Gala • More than 5,000 people attended our 2009 Event of the Year, celebrating John Lennon’s life and legacy • NDI’s Celebration Team had return engagements at The September Concert, the Catskill Mountain Foundation, and Symphony Space • Dancers performed alongside Yo-Yo Ma in the Opening Night Gala Performance of the World Science Festival, and in a production of Die Fledermaus, featuring young opera singers on scholarship through the Martina Arroyo Foundation

We emerge from this year hopeful that the cuts we have instituted and retained will put us in strong standing as we look ahead to the 2009-10 school year.

All of us at NDI thank you, our generous contributors for your support. We are very grateful for your loyalty in these trying times. We could not impact the lives of thousands of New York City public school children without you.

Sincerely,

Leslee Asch Ellen Weinstein Executive Director Artistic Director 2008-09 Program Highlights

In-School Program During the 2008-09 school year, NDI provided a full-year of dance integrated with music and the visual arts to 4,000 public school children each week in 30 partner schools across New York City. NDI teaching artists modeled energy, focus, and excellence, and created an environment of joyful rigor, curiosity, and imaginative play. In-School program highlights included:

• NDI inaugurated a partnership with DREAM School, a new public charter school focused on health and fi tness in a low-income neighborhood in East Harlem, where rates of obesity and Type II Diabetes are the highest in the City. Our program reached the entire kindergarten and fi rst grades while supporting DREAM’s health and fi tness goals.

• NDI re-launched our longtime partnership with Lighthouse International, a community organization that helps children and adults successfully meet the challenges of vision loss. program serves children and teenagers ages 7-18 from New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Each dancer is paired with a typically-sighted volunteer, (many of whom are NDI alumni,) who guides them through each class. Th ese volunteers continue to dance alongside the students for the entire year as they learn and perform together.

• At P.S. 163, NDI worked with faculty and parents in the second year of a ﬁ ve-year integrated arts curriculum for grades pre-K through 5. Building on our experience with curricular themes, this innovative and highly replicable collaboration is focused on global citizenship.

“I like practicing NDI. I also like working as a class and not arguing. Like if somebody makes a mistake I won’t get mad because they are trying to learn the step. I like to say ‘good job’ to people who try their best.” - P.S. 2 dancer Kevin Colon 2008-09 Program Highlights

Advanced Scholarship Programs The goal of NDI’s Advanced Scholarship Programs is to provide children who demonstrate extraordinary commitment and talent with the opportunity to extend their NDI experience and explore their artistic potential through the highest level of advanced training. Dancers study year-round, up to the age of 15, with NDI master teachers/choreographers and guest artists. Last year, 200 highly motivated children from our In-School Program were provided with full scholarships to engage in advanced training outside of school.

SWAT Team (Scholarships for the Willing, Achieving, and Talented) Children from the In-School Program who demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm and dedication were invited to join our SWAT Team. Each Saturday, dancers received intensive dance instruction for 3-5 hours. These dancers continued to participate in the In-School Program, where they became leaders and role models for their peers. After a year on the SWAT Team, many dancers were invited to join the Celebration Team (see below).

NDI also provided an After-School SWAT Team for 34 highly motivated 4th and 5th graders at P.S. 105 in the Bronx. This program was established to serve students who are unable to travel to Manhattan for Saturday rehearsals, and helps ensure that our Advanced Programs continue to serve the many talented children at P.S. 105, a school with 1,600 children. Celebration Team Dancers who demonstrated extraordinary commitment throughout the year joined the Celebration Team, our most advanced performance troupe. In addition to participating in intensive choreography workshops every Saturday, our Celebration Team dancers perform in public venues throughout New York City and across the country.

Performance highlights from the past year included NDI’s Annual Gala at NOKIA Theatre Times Square, the opening night of the World Science Festival with Yo-Yo Ma, and Die Fledermaus with young opera singers on scholarship through the Martina Arroyo Foundation. 2008-09 Program Highlights

Irene Diamond Summer Institute This past summer, nearly 100 S.W.A.T. and Celebration Team dancers received full scholarships to attend the Irene Diamond Summer Institute, located in City Center’s professional studios. We were proud to be able to include a dancer who excelled in our Saturday Lighthouse program. Our advanced dancers explored music, movement, and choreography inspired by this year’s theme of storytelling around the world.

We were delighted to welcome special guest artist, Kim Fore, who led our dancers in a clogging workshop, a style of folk dancing which derived from step dancing. In addition, two of NDI’s alumni volunteered throughout the summer. Danny Rodriguez, ’06, an aspiring professional ballet dancer and former student at P.S. 290 in Manhattan, assisted in teaching ballet and tap classes. Bakari Nicholas, ’08, former student from P.S. 126 in Manhattan, assisted NDI summer program staﬀ and teaching artists.

The Summer Institute culminated with open classes and a presentation of the summer’s work for parents, friends, supporters, and community members. 2009 Event of the Year: Imagine: A Celebration of John Lennon Each year a special theme is woven into all classes and performances, cultivating the children’s curiosity and awareness about the world and introducing them to the histories of diﬀerent cultures, such as Mexico and Africa, and iconic individuals such as Einstein, Shakespeare, and Duke Ellington. At the end of our program year, auditoriums across New York City ﬁll with teachers, families, and community members as they cheer on their dancers and celebrate their accomplishments during culminating performances.

In addition to presenting ﬁnal theatrical performances in each school, NDI’s advanced program dancers perform in a professionally-produced Event of the Year production at LaGuardia High School Concert Hall. Imagine: A Celebration of John Lennon, was conceived and directed by Artistic Director Ellen Weinstein. The Event interpreted pivotal moments in Lennon’s life and was inspired by his art, music, and humanitarian eﬀorts. The event reached audiences of more than 5,000 people, including two sold-out performances with standing room only, and two free daytime performances for In- School Program dancers and their classroom teachers.

Award-winning actress Cloris Leachman and her son, musician George H. Englund, Jr., performed in a piece choreographed by Jacques d’Amboise. “A Cloris Line” also featured select dancers from DREAM Charter School, the NDI First Team, and adult tappers, including NDI Board Member Valerie T. Diker. 2008-09 Program Highlights

Teacher Training “When you’re in school you can think back to a Each year, NDI’s teacher training initiatives allow us to extend our impact well beyond New York City, while also ensuring the hard step you learned in NDI, and think: consistently high quality of our teaching staff . Our two-week ‘If I did that, then I can do this.’ ” teacher training intensives combine a daily, rigorous morning – NDI dancer schedule of hands-on practice and peer observation, with full afternoon schedules of refl ections and talks. Some graduates are invited to apprentice in the NDI program. Alumni Association Residencies Former SWAT and Celebration Team dancers who have Associate Artistic Director Tracy Straus led NDI’s third annual graduated from NDI’s programs now comprise the Alumni two-week residency at the East Harlem School, a middle Association of National Dance Institute. Alumni gathered for school serving low-income children, and a dynamic NDI several exciting events, including the fi rst annual NDI Alumni partner. East Harlem School is dedicated to helping students Homecoming at LaGuardia High School, and the second develop academic excellence, moral integrity, courtesy, and annual Alumni After-Party at P.J. Clarke’s Lincoln Center a commitment to their futures and community. Each year, after the fi nal performance of Imagine: A Celebration of John they rely on NDI to provide a joyful experience that fosters Lennon. teamwork, cooperation, and school community. Recent Alumni News: NDI graduates will be attending top Ellen Weinstein and Mary Kenndy led a two-week residency tier colleges, including Vanderbilt University, Boston College, for 4th and 5th graders at P.S. 184, a dual-language Mandarin- Cooper Union, and Tufts University. Two alumni recently English school where more than 70% of students are eligible toured as back-up dancers with internationally-acclaimed for the federally-funded free school lunch program. performers. Anthony Rue, II, ‘97, toured with Madonna, and Cassidy Noblett, ‘99, danced with Beyoncé Knowles. In its eff ort to continue to support its national dissemination of our proven teaching methodology, NDI conducted a two-week residency in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In the Works

New Partnerships In 2009-10, we are excited to build upon our existing partnerships and to welcome P.S. 110 and P.S. 20, both on the Lower East Side, as our newest partner schools.

• P.S. 110 is a pre-kindergarten through fifth grade elementary school serving a predominantly Hispanic population of children from a mix of middle-class, working-class, and low-income families. Each grade contains three learning tracks that address different needs and abilities: General Education, Gifted & Talented, and Collaborative Team Teaching, where classes are taught to a combination of general education students and students with special needs by two teachers, one of whom is certified in Special Education. All fourth graders will participate in NDI.

• P.S. 20, the Anna Silver School, is one of the oldest schools in the City. Most students identify as Hispanic or Latino and come from low-income families, as indicated by a 100% eligibility rate for the federally-funded free lunch program.

2010 Event of the Year The theme for NDI’s 33rd Event of the Year will center on storytelling around the world. This year’s event will be directed by Founder Jacques d’Amboise, and will feature a restaging of “We Real Cool,” a 1987 dance based on a poem by Gwendolyn Brooks, and choreographed by Amy Lehman.

Board of Directors Board of Directors John Fullerton Christopher d’Amboise Chair Jacques d’Amboise Lauren B. Cramer Ketty Maisonrouge Valerie T. Diker Kathy Mele Robert I. Freedman Susan Newhouse Helen Stambler Neuberger Lauri Levitt Friedland Co Vice-Chairs Duﬀtin Garcia Barbara Handler Richard K. DeScherer Ed Hynes Secretary Jenny Morgenthau Jacynth Paterson Orridge Robert D. Krinsky Arnold S. Penner Treasurer Nili de Rothschild Andrew Shiva Linda Singer Eva-Maria Tausig Ellen Weinstein Judy Weston Christopher J. Williams Financial Overview: 2008

Revenue, Gains and Support Contributions Foundations $ 1,315,604 Corporations 208,016 Individuals 684,146 Government 25,000 Beneﬁt Income 1,166,342 Less Direct beneﬁt expense (216,931) School Tuition 310,156 Contracted Services 110,299 Concession Sales 5,542 Program Ticket Sales 21,938 Investment Income (loss) (90,179) Teacher Training 12,225 Miscellaneous Income 2,774 $ 3,554,932

Net assets released from restrictions Satisfaction of time and program restrictions Foundations 143,200 Corporations 50,000 Individuals 67,500 Government 96,000 Total Unrestricted Revenue, Gains and Support $ 3,911,632

Program Services In-School Classes $ 1,850,484 SWAT/Celebration 532,180 Event of the Year 191,723 Summer Institute 245,068 Training/Professional Development 257,241 Special Projects 41,047 Total Program Services $ 3,117,743 Supporting Services Management & General $ 231,896 Beneﬁt 131,187 Fundraising 243,933 Center Expenses 119,726 $ 726,742

Total Expenses $ 3,844,485

Increase in Unrestricted Net Assets $ 67,147

Total Assets $ 3,056,240

Total Liabilities $ 118,464

Net Asset Balance $ 2,937,776

Note: These are our 2008 audited ﬁnancials. We will include our 2009 ﬁnancials as soon as our audit is complete. Budget FY10 - Statement of Functional Expenses

In-School SWAT/ Event of Summer Teacher Special Total Admin. Beneﬁt Fundraising Total Total Classes Celebration the Year Institute Training Projects Program Services Supporting Functional Services Services Expenses

Administrative Salaries 286,878 103,276 0 45,900 51,638 0 487,692 57,908 0 45,900 103,808 591,500 Artistic Salaries 850,517 174,741 0 77,663 87,371 0 1,190,291 97,979 0 77,663 175,642 1,365,933 Fringe Benﬁts and Payroll Taxes 210,977 75,952 0 33,756 37,976 0 358,661 42,587 0 33,756 76,343 435,004 Fees 108,049 63,127 113,700 34,279 22,154 6,250 347,559 9,183 62,350 10,304 81,837 429,396 ______

Total Personnel Expenses 1,456,420 417,096 113,700 191,598 199,138 6,250 2,384,203 207,657 62,350 167,623 437,630 2,821,833

Production and Music 17,886 3,947 42,500 73 455 0 64,860 110 33,485 1,979 35,575 100,435 Travel and Entertainment 31,131 7,188 4,500 2,702 2,938 4,000 52,459 2,585 166,939 36,731 206,255 258,714 Occupancy 162,669 43,444 0 29,013 17,067 0 252,193 19,002 0 5,005 24,007 276,200 Printing and Duplication 2,850 350 4,000 0 1,800 200 9,200 0 6,600 4,980 11,580 20,780

Advertising, Promotion and 1,257 1,548 6,200 108 76 0 9,188 88 250 823 1,162 10,350 Marketing Oﬃce Suplies and Expenses 50,377 12,579 3,500 3,854 5,960 900 77,170 5,094 3,600 7,367 16,060 93,230 Postage and Delivery 12,983 2,359 0 582 1,907 70 17,900 884 4,335 8,170 12,272 30,172 Telephone 15,782 4,108 0 1,664 1,563 0 23,117 1,768 275 466 2,508 25,625

Insurance 29,003 7,585 0 2,231 2,900 0 41,720 3,388 0 892 4,280 46,000 Grant Expense 4,153 6,175 0 243 315 0 10,885 368 0 97 465 11,350 ______

Total Non Personnel Expenses 328,090 89,282 60,700 40,470 34,981 5,170 558,693 33,287 215,484 66,510 314,164 872,857

Total Exp Before Dep/Amort 1,784,510 506,379 174,400 232,068 234,119 11,420 2,942,895 240,943 277,834 234,133 751,794 3,694,689

Depreciation/Amort Expense 33,417 8,740 0 2,571 3,342 0 48,068 3,903 0 1,028 4,932 53,000 ______

Total Expenses 1,817,926 515,118 174,400 234,639 237,460 11,420 2,990,964 244,847 277,834 235,161 756,726 3,747,689 In Closing

We are pleased to share the following poem, which Yoko Ono dedicated to NDI in honor of our year-long celebration:

Make Your Heart Dance When you are feeling bad Do one thing a day To make your heart dance. It could be a simple thing like looking up at the sky. If you can’t manage even that Do something for someone To make their heart dance It could be a simple thing like giving a call. Do this for a couple of months and Your life will change in a big way One day we’ll all dance together.

Alright?

I Love You, yoko