Teacher Training

This NDI New Mexico pedagogy program was established to codify and disseminate the NDI methodology and to ensure a consistently high standard in the quality of NDI New Mexico instructors. Teaching Excellence® Teacher Training includes a Two-week Intensive Introductory Workshop for aspiring NDI New Mexico instructors, and a year-long apprentice training program for dance teachers working to become certified NDI New Mexico instructors. To date, NDI New Mexico has trained 52 teachers, 17 of whom have stayed in New Mexico to work with NDI New Mexico in our programs.

The Teaching Excellence® Plan for Seeding New Communities is our comprehensive strategy for establishing NDI New Mexico-style programs in cities throughout the United States. This two-year program identifies and trains artistic and administrative staff, assists in securing non-profit status and funding, helps initiate a local program in the public schools, and provides ongoing support to the new community.

For more information, please contact Liz Salganek at (505) 983-7646 x 126 or liz@ndi-nm.org.

September 3 - 14, 2012
Two-Week Introductory Workshop

This introductory workshop, conducted in Santa Fe public elementary schools and at our facility, The Dance Barns, is an introduction to the award-winning and proven teaching techniques of the Institute. Originally developed by Jacques d'Amboise and evolved and adapted by NDI New Mexico, these techniques are delivered in a highly focused, hands-on training program through classroom observation and participation, and by assisting Master NDI-NM teachers. Dancers interested in teaching for NDI New Mexico are required to take this workshop.

Requirements
Trainees must have extensive dance training and a sincere desire to work with children. Trainees will be invited to participate based upon their applications, and preference will be given to those with a professional performance background (some applicants may be asked to provide a video of themselves dancing). Trainees will be expected to have read through the training manual prior to the first class, and be ready to work hard. This teaching technique is highly physical and requires a fit body. Dance attire should consist of sneakers and comfortable clothing.

Curriculum

• The history and philosophy of NDI New Mexico
• Observation of NDI New Mexico Master Teachers in Santa Fe public schools
• Participation in daily classes and choreography workshops
• Basic NDI New Mexico teaching techniques
• Basic NDI New Mexico dance steps
• Basic skills to encourage 100% student participation, classroom pacing and management
• How to create and maintain daily NDI New Mexico lesson plans
• How to structure and build choreography on novice dancers
• How to organize and run an NDI New Mexico Assembly

The program will follow a training manual written and developed by NDI-NM. The manual, a music CD, and a rough-cut teacher training DVD will be provided to participating trainees.

 
Cost & Payment
The cost of the two-week introductory program is $800. A down payment of $400 is necessary to secure a place in the workshop, and registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are available. The balance of tuition is due on the first day of class. Trainees will be expected to arrange for their own transportation to Santa Fe. NDI New Mexico will provide a list of affordable housing options, and if possible, arrange for donated housing. Donated housing is not guaranteed.

Teacher Training Staff

	Russell Baker, Executive Director Russell began dancing while pursuing his B.A. in English from Vassar College. He received his M.F.A. in Ballet Teaching and Choreography from the University of Utah. Russell danced professionally with the Kansas City Ballet for ten years performing a wide variety of principal, soloist, corps de ballet, and character roles. The Kansas City Ballet premiered his ballet The Cloud Chamber in the spring of 2002. In 1999, he founded the Kansas City Contemporary Dance Ensemble, a pick-up company that presented free outdoor performances in Kansas City. Russell has been teaching with NDI-NM since 2002.
	Emily Lowman - Santa Fe Outreach Director Emily, the daughter of a theatre professor, began her career in children’s theatre and continued at the University of New Mexico, studying ballet, flamenco and modern dance including the techniques of Katherine Dunham, Bill Evans, Doris Humphrey and Jose Limón. During college, she traveled overseas with SUNY New Paltz to study the techniques of Martha Graham and Lester Horton and worked with the Readymade Dance Theater and Blythe Eden Dance Company in Albuquerque. After graduating from UNM in 2001 with an honors BA in Theatre and Dance, she danced with Murray Spalding Movement Arts in Santa Fe and apprenticed with NDI-NM’s Santa Fe Summer Institute, later becoming Director of this program. Emily was an Instructor for in-school, after-school and Advanced Training programs in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico before becoming Associate Residency Director, then Residency Director in 2008.
	Jackie Oliver, Albuquerque Artistic Director Jackie has been dancing, performing, and choreographing throughout the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas for over 19 years. She began her training under Patricia Dickinson and Suzanne Johnston in Albuquerque. Jackie has served on the faculty for the Annual Bill Evans Rhythm Tap Dance Jams and has performed for the Centrum’s Bill Evans Dance Intensive this summer in Port Townsend, WA. She has performed and choreographed for the New Mexico Ballet Company, the Bill Evans Rhythm Tap Ensemble, and the University of New Mexico Dance Department. Jackie has been a member of NDI-NM’s artistic staff since 2000.
	Liz Salganek - Santa Fe Advanced Training Director Liz Salganek grew up in Santa Fe, where she trained and performed extensively in ballet, jazz, modern dance, and theater. She earned her B.A. in Dance from Barnard College of Columbia University, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. In New York she joined the faculty of the Barnard Dance Department, and worked as a modern dancer. Liz joined the NDI-NM staff in 2006, and has since taught in every branch of its programming. Her other work experience includes early childhood education, physical therapy, and Pilates.
	Leslie Stamper, North Artistic Director Leslie began dancing at an early age in her hometown of Columbia, Missouri, studying ballet, jazz and tap. She earned her degree in Theater Performance from the University of Missouri, while studying dance at nearby Stephens College. While in school, she was part of the "Golden Girls," a dance squad which won the ESPN National Dance Championship and performed throughout the country and in Japan. Upon graduation, Leslie performed professionally with the Missouri Professional Theater. Later, dancing took her aboard the Carnival Cruise Ship Jubilee, and then on to Los Angeles, where she danced in Annie Get Your Gun with Cathy Rigby at the La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts. After two years in L.A., Leslie returned to Santa Fe and has been with NDI-NM since 2000.
	Bert Dalton, Music Director Bert has been with NDI-NM since 1996 and has served as Music Director since 1998. Bert received his music education at Northern Illinois University and has performed throughout the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. His Latin jazz quartet Yoboso, won the 1995 B.E.T Jazz Discovery Competition and was twice awarded Best Recording of the Year by the New Mexico Music Industry Coalition. He was guest pianist and composer with the Allen Philharmonic Symphony in Allen, Texas, in December 2003, featuring an orchestral suite from "The Shamrock and The Feather," a sound track recording accompanying his wife Dori's novel of the same name.
	Brian Bennett, Associate Music Director Brian Bennett is a composer, pianist, bassist and teacher whose 30-year career in music has encompassed virtually the full gamut of musical experience. A native of Washington, D.C., his compositions have been performed and recorded in North America and Europe. Upon earning his doctorate in composition from UCLA following studies with William Kraft, Lukas Foss and Lawrence Moss, he worked in Lyon, France for five years. In his work as a pianist and bassist he has recorded extensively and performed in nearly every setting with many great musicians, including such world-class greats as John Taylor, Steve Swallow, John Scofield and Joe Diorio. Brian joined NDI-NM in 2003.