National Dance Institute (NDI) was founded in 1976 by New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d’Amboise, and leads the field of arts education with a model program that has been studied and replicated worldwide. At the root of NDI’s methodology is the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and socio-economic positions, and motivate them toward excellence in all aspects of their lives. Since our inception, more than two million children have been impacted through engagement in immersive, participatory dance programs led by NDI’s professional teaching artists.

NDI is seeking dance teaching artists who…

• Are practicing artists, and have performing experience and/or significant training
• Have strong dance content knowledge
• Come from a variety of dance traditions and have the desire to share their unique artistry with children
• Are as passionate about the art of teaching as they are about their art form
• Exude joy and love of dance
• Are dynamic, expressive, and energized movers
• Have strong musicality
• Have a confident presence and positive and inclusive classroom management skills
• Are committed to anti-racist education
• Are committed to culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, and to creating classrooms in which every student is seen, valued, and belongs
• Are committed to creating dance experiences where children of all abilities can participate
• Are reflective practitioners who seek opportunities for continuous learning
• Are collaborative; thrive in a team dynamic in which power and responsibility are shared
• Are flexible, and able to adapt to the needs and strengths of different school communities
• Believe that being in the presence of children is a privilege

• Co-lead weekly, in-person classes in NDI partner schools.
  • Teaching artists new to working with NDI are staffed in teaching teams with experienced colleagues so that they can continue training in the NDI Method while assisting and co-leading classes.
• Support culminating performances in NDI partner schools.
• Co-create accessible, responsive, and dynamic choreography that both highlights students’ abilities and develops their skills and artistic expression.
• Participate in research and planning to develop learning around NDI’s curricular theme.
• Participate in required professional development, including a fall retreat, bi-monthly workshops, and all-staff equity trainings.
• Maintain an NDI email account and communicate promptly and professionally with NDI administrative staff, teaching artist teams, and school partners.
• Complete a self-evaluation and goal-setting process and meetings with an NDI mentor twice per year.
• Support NDI’s program evaluation, impact assessment, and fundraising efforts. This may include documenting your work through written lesson planning and completing evaluation rubrics.
• Submit bi-weekly digital timesheets, adhering to deadlines communicated by NDI.

To apply, please CLICK HERE.

What’s Next?

• Candidates must submit an application by April 21st, 2023
• NDI will review applications and invite candidates to participate in a workshop at the NDI Center in Harlem, NY on May 3rd, 5:00pm-6:30pm ET.
• Following this workshop, selected candidates will be invited to a 15-minute Zoom meeting, to teach a dance phrase on either May 11th (3pm – 5pm) or May 17th (2pm – 4pm).
• Final candidates will be selected to participate in NDI’s professional development training this summer, and will receive a stipend of $25/hour for their time:
  • Level One Intensive Training, July 31st – August 11th, Monday-Friday 9:30am-4:30pm in person at NDI. Total Stipend: $1,750
• Hired Teaching Artists are required to participate in NDI’s paid Teaching Artist Retreat on September 19-21, 2023.
• Upon completion of the training, potential job opportunities for the 2023-24 school year will be dependent on the availability of In-School Program work, to begin in late September or early October