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New Hampshire Dance Institute

The New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI) was founded in 1986 as the National Dance Institute/New Hampshire by Wendy Dwyer and Sandra Whippie, with the guidance of nationally recognized dancer Jacques d'Amboise. By 1990 the organization became known as the New Hampshire Dance Institute. The organization reaches school aged children in New Hampshire schools by incorporating dance in their school day, culminating in the Event of the Year, which is performed over Memorial Day Weekend at Keene State College in Keene, NH. NHDI also provides Residency Programs for New Hampshire schools, whereby dance instructors guide children through a week-long experience that results in a performance at the end of the Residency. In addition to these programs, NHDI provides dance instruction via two summer camps, one which leads to a performance at Keene State College and the other at the Colonial Theater in Keene, NH.

One of the cornerstones of NHDI's mission is to integrate their program into the traditional curriculum of an existing school. Not only does dance align with school and state physical education requirements, NHDI has focused its dance programs around other educational disciplines. Some of these include Science (Roy G. Biv is a Real Live Person) to History (A 30 Year Journey) among others. While any students may participate in the program (based on grade level coordinated with various schools), the organization also showcases talent in what are known as the Special Teams. These include Minions (typically children too young for the regular program); SWAT (Spirited, Willing, And Talented) for students already in the year-long program, and the (CEL)ebration team (for students who have aged out of the traditional year-long program).

Currently, NHDI serves over 2,000 children in New Hampshire at a total of 21 schools. It has been recognized for its excellence as an organization with a Ewing Award. In addition, NHDI's Artistic Director Kristen Leach and Residency Director Lisa Cook have been acknowledged by New Hampshire Magazine as "Remarkable Women" in 2015. An adherence to exposing children to live music during performance is coordinated through an affiliation with Peter Mansfield, who teaches at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

External Links

www.nhdi.org (Official Website)