National Dance Institute & Jacques d’Amboise
by Margaret Cuomo
On the first day that
we met Jacques d’Amboise,
he was sitting on the wood paneled floor of a dance studio
in Soho—in the National Dance Institute’s (NDI)
headquarters in New York City, surrounded by twelve children,
ages five to seven.
“Brroomph—bippity bop!—that’s
magic talk for “pay attention!” Jacques has the
sparkling eyes, tousled hair, lithe body, and imagination of
a person less than half his age. Children understand that Jacques,
kind and friendly, is serious when it comes to dance. Discipline
and respect are gently, but firmly, emphasized. Marianna Cuomo
Maier, one of eleven granddaughters in the Cuomo family, is
fortunate to have attended the after-school program, called
Arts Encounter, taught by Jacques and one of NDI’s most
dynamic teachers, Emily Margolis. Marianna has been inspired
by Jacques, Emily, and the NDI dance program.
Jacques d’Amboise, the brilliant dancer,
spent much of his childhood and adolescence on West 163rd Street
in Manhattan, the tough Washington Heights neighborhood. Jacques’ mother,
Georgette, recognized the value of arts education, and introduced
Jacques to ballet lessons at age 7. Young Jacques demonstrated
a talent for dancing at this young age, and was admitted to
the school of American Ballet, run by George Balanchine. At
age 15, Jacques joined the New York City Ballet, and was made
the lead male dancer by Balanchine. A star was born, and his
joyful presence can be felt in his performances. In addition
to becoming a principal dancer of the New York City ballet,
Jacques was also outstanding in the film versions of in “Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers” (1954), and “Carousel,” (1956).
In 1976, at the age
of 42, Jacques decided to “give
back” by founding the National Dance Institute (NDI)
that is a not-for-profit organization which targets students
at the 4th, 5th and 6th grade levels. Over 75,000 elementary
school students across the country have participated in the
NDI, and it has provided an opportunity for students to learn
dance principles, and performance skills. The NDI operates
with “…the belief that the arts have a unique
power to engage children and motivate them towards excellence.” NDI
in-school program is a highly effective method for teaching
dance skills, as well as enhancing a student’s self-esteem.
Jacques is a role model and mentor to each NDI student and
teacher. The NDI program encourages the development of higher
order thinking skills, associated with cognitive, affective,
and kinesthetic areas of learning. The students are better
able to stay focused during their academic classes, and their
self-confidence is improved.
The end of the year
performances are a glorious culmination of a year’s
worth of effort on the part of the students, their parents,
and the NDI teachers. A strong sense of community has developed
as a result of the NDI programs in public schools in New
York, and throughout the country.
Jacques d’Amboise raises the bar high for
his students, and will accept nothing less than their best.
At a rehearsal for NDI’s annual fundraising gala, this
year held at Roseland, over 50 young dancers, ages 9--15, in
NDI’s “Celebration Team,” or scholarship
program for children demonstrating talent in dance and performance,
gathered at LaGuardia High School on a sunny, 80 degree day,
to practice for this special event. Jacques was the creative
master—offering direction on choreography, musical arrangement,
costume design, and staging.
Significantly, Jacques
is the heart and soul of NDI, and his passion and commitment
are palpable. His blue work shirt was saturated with perspiration,
as he demonstrated a high kick, or a turn and stomp across
the dance floor. The young dancers are disciplined and well
trained. They respectfully accept Jacques’ corrections, and seem to understand that
Jacques’ precision is a sign of his confidence in them.
The students repeat the dance routines many times, until Jacques
offers his boyish, beaming grin that says, “Yes, now
you have it!” The dancers strive for excellence, a goal
that they have learned from Jacques and his dedicated staff
of teachers, that includes the talented Artistic Director,
Ellen Weinstein, Artistic Associate Director, Tracy Straus,
and the many fine teachers, including Emily Margolis and Mary
Kennedy. Each of the dance teachers, and the music directors
(including Jerome Korman, David Marck, and Peter Yarin) associated
with NDI, is a highly creative professional with a special
gift for communicating with young people. NDI offers a teacher
training program for interested dance teachers.
The dancers were outfitted in stylish clothing
donated by Burberry, as Rose Marie Bravo, CEO of Burberry,
is the 2004 NDI honoree. Dr. Deepak Chopra is the recipient
of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Chita Rivera, the Artistic
Honoree.
This year’s gala includes a “Singin’ in
the Rain,” “Somebody Loves Me,” and a world
premiere of “My Place,” composed exclusively for
Jacques d’Amboise by Martin Charnin, composer of “Annie,” with
an original dance choreographed by Mary Kennedy of NDI. These
dances are energetic, challenging, and passionate.
Jacques’ philosophy of life and of dance
is one. He says, “I hate the word ‘fun,’ and
I hate the word ‘education.’ I prefer ‘joy’ to
replace ‘fun,’ and ‘learning’ to replace ‘education.’ Then,
you would never hear the question asked, “When did you
finish your education?”
For Jacques d’Amboise,
dancer, teacher, and mentor, the process of discovery and
learning is a journey that lasts a lifetime. He offers his
students and teachers an opportunity to enter a world that
requires a commitment to excellence. As this vibrant Peter
Pan knows, fulfillment and joy are the rewards for dedication
and perseverance.#
Margaret Cuomo Maier, M.D. is active in the
medical community as well as the arts.
