National Dance Institute (NDI) New Mexico has announced its Artesia residency dance program for more than 350 local students.
The program, which will run Jan. 8-19, will culminate in live performances of “Reach Out! The Sweet Sounds of Motown” on Jan. 19.
Participants include fourth-grade students from Central, Hermosa, Roselawn, Yeso and Yucca elementary schools, as well as children attending Grand Heights Early Childhood Center. Fifth-grade students who are members of NDI New Mexico’s Super Wonderful Advanced Team will also participate in the program.
“NDI New Mexico is celebrating 30 years of excellence in New Mexico and our 18th year of partnership with the families, educators and civic leaders of Artesia,” said NDI New Mexico Residency Artistic Director Lauren O’Brien. “We are thrilled to have so many local students as an important part of our celebration and encourage the entire Artesia community to come to the performances and see the results of the students’ hard work, teamwork and energy.”
In addition to providing a creative and celebratory community event, the residency program will offer NDI New Mexico’s highly effective teaching methodology that incorporates dance instruction with live musical accompaniment and emphasizes social-emotional skills such as teamwork, self-confidence and self-discipline that are critical to children’s long-term development.
Live performances will be held at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the Artesia High School Auditorium. Performances are free of charge.
NDI New Mexico’s residency programs bring NDI New Mexico experiences of music and dance to children in 15 rural and urban communities across the state of New Mexico. The program provides a certified NDI instructor and pianist to teach dance as part of each school’s curriculum for children ages 5-13.
NDI New Mexico was founded in 1994 with the knowledge that the arts have a unique power to engage and motivate children. The purpose of its distinctive programs is to help children develop discipline, a standard of excellence, and a belief in themselves that will carry over into all aspects of their lives.
