Since inception, NDI New Mexico has reached more than 133,000 children with programs that support their academic success, improve their health, enhance their quality of life and build their self-confidence. For many children, our unique methodology of using the arts to teach life skills has been a key to unlocking a path to learning and achievement. For the past 26 years, these outcomes have been important and in 2021 they are more essential than ever.
NDI teaches children The Core Four: work hard, do your best, never give up and be healthy. Applied with energy, these skills help young people experience excellence on stage, in the classroom, and throughout life.
NDI New Mexico is committed to enhancing and sustaining our impact on the lives of children and the communities in which they live. We will do this by pursuing excellence in innovative programming, operational management, and financial growth. Your continued collaboration and support will make this incredible vision a reality.
Thank you for being a part of our children’s well-being, success, and future.
Yours in teaching children excellence,
Russell Baker Executive Director
Our Mission
NDI New Mexico is founded with the knowledge that the arts have a unique power to engage and motivate children. The purpose of our 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.
NDI New Mexico Children Served
690
Afterschool/Advanced Classes & Companies Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Northern New Mexico, & Residencies
WHO
we serve
NDI New Mexico believes that every child has the capacity to learn how to be excellent by working hard, doing their best, never giving up, and being healthy. We are guided by our belief in children as well as our commitment to social responsibility.
2,856 In-School Residencies
5,316
In-School Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, & Northern New Mexico
Demographics of
Our Outreach Programs focus directly on schools and children in the greatest need: 88% qualify for Federal Free or Reduced Cost Meal Program; 71% are Hispanic, 14% Anglo, 11% Native American/Alaskan Native, 1% Multiracial, Asian/Pacific Islander, African American. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
New Mexico Outreach Students
NDI New Mexico Students Qualifying for the Federal Free or Reduced Cost Meal Program
88% Do Qualify
12% Don’t Qualify
CHAMA/TIERRA AMARILLA 200 Children
Grade
Grade
CUBA 213 Children
Grade
GALLUP 120 Children
& 5th Grade
OHKAY OWINGEH 19 Children
& 4th Grade
ALCALDE 63 Children RIO RANCHO 99 Children
POJOAQUE 423 Children K-8th Grade
3rd, & 4th Grade
DULCE 289 Children PECOS 40 Children
Grade
116 Children K-5th Grade
SILVER CITY/ SANTA CLARA 211 Children
SOCORRO/ SAN ANTONIO 188 Children
4th, & 5th Grade
1,091 Children
315 Children RATON 251 Children
Grade
CHIMAYO 119 Children
ESPAÑOLA 559 Children K-8th Grade WAGON MOUND 41 Children
30 Children K-2nd, 4th & 5th Grade SANTA FE 1007 Children K-9th Grade
This year we will reach 250 public school teachers in 80 schools and serve 25 communities. In addition, we will deliver 102,000 hours of instruction through live online classes and video packets.
OUR programs
NDI New Mexico’s fundamental belief is that every child has the capacity to learn to work hard, never give up, do their best, and ultimately experience success.
Students participate at no cost in our Public School Programs. Schools pay less than 10% of the overall costs for these programs and government, foundations, corporate, and individual support fills the gap.
“Thank you for the wonderful programming you provide! NDI classes have been a consistent source of joy for our children in these challenging times, and we are so grateful for the positive energy that flows through their computer screens and into our home on a daily basis.”
- NDI New Mexico Parent
NDI New Mexico is a statewide organization serving 8,900 children ages 3-18 annually. We have served over 133,000 children since 1994.
In-School Program
In the 2020-21 school year, NDI New Mexico In-School classes are offered in two formats: live online classes scheduled weekly with participating public elementary schools, or weekly video packets which can be flexibly incorporated into the school day. NDI New Mexico instructors and musicians provide joyful, energetic lessons, serving an entire grade level (3rd, 4th, or 5th) with an approach that is fully inclusive of all children in a class, including those with special needs. Children in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Pecos, Pojoaque, and the Española Valley receive 15-30 weekly classes or video packets throughout the school year, and those involved in online classes will finish their program with virtual assemblies for their school community, family, and friends. All NDI New Mexico In-School classes are free of charge to the children and their families.
Advanced Teams
Many students who are exposed to NDI New Mexico in their public schools demonstrate extraordinary motivation and enthusiasm for the effort and energy the program requires. This year, these highly engaged students were invited to join our Advanced Teams. Students from eight communities throughout the state have joined us virtually, outside of school time, taking part in classes and rehearsals at no cost to their families. In the 2020-2021 year, NDI New Mexico has three SWAT teams for 4th-6th graders and the Celebration Team for middle school dancers who have been with the program since elementary school.
Work Hard Do Your Best Never Give Up Be Healthy!
Residency Program
Our Residency team brings virtual NDI New Mexico experiences of music and dance to underserved children in 15 rural and urban communities in all corners of the state. The Residency team reaches communities in a variety of online formats, including virtual residencies between one and six weeks and video packets that can be woven into schools’ remote learning curriculum. Students’ online residency experiences culminate in fun virtual assemblies for their friends and families.
Afterschool
THE DANCE BARNS & THE HILAND
Children and teens ages 3-18 join Hiland and Dance Barns instructors online to participate in high-quality dance and performance training in creative movement, ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and theater, ranging from beginner to
pre-professional levels. Special class offerings this year include weekly Master Classes with world renowned teachers, the Complete Dancer series focusing on dance history and appreciation, and AirMail Dances, a unique hybrid class that combines online classes with packages students
“My name is Adam and I'm nine years old. I'm in the 4th grade. NDI has taught me the Core Four and the Two Es (Energy and Excellence). Runs and Jumps make me happy. Thank you for supporting NDI!“
- NDI New Mexico Student
receive each week at home. Tuition for these programs is offered on a Pay What You Can basis, ensuring that every dancer has the opportunity for an enriching experience. Whether children explore their first experience in dance, take classes for creative expression and exercise, or have their sights set on a career in the performing arts, our Online Afterschool Programs build a sense of achievement in a nurturing and noncompetitive atmosphere.
Teaching Excellence®
NDI New Mexico is committed to developing highly trained instructors to deliver our unique methodology to children across the state. Instructors are the backbone of our programs, and their expertise is vital to a child’s engagement and success. Our Teaching Excellence® workshop is a critical building block for training our instructors to develop the skills needed to conduct fast-paced, dynamic, and engaging classes. This year our twoweek intensive was adapted for an online format, and apprentice teachers have continued their training online, working alongside our own master teachers as we adapted NDI New Mexico’s highly engaging, fun and athletic teaching methodology to the remote learning environment.
Hip to Be Fit®
BE HEALTHY is one of our Core Four messages for how to be excellent in everything you do. We are committed to helping our students get fit. NDI New Mexico’s HIP to Be Fit ® curriculum is embedded in all our programs and teaches the importance of exercising, making healthy lifestyle choices, and eating well to improve stamina, performance, and endurance. Our goal is to make a positive impact on New Mexico’s children and their families by helping them take care of their bodies, minds, and spirits.
measurable RESULTS
More than thirteen years of independent, scientific evaluations show how participation in NDI New Mexico programs works to improve students’ academic performance. NDI New Mexico curriculum also supports executive function skills that children need to perform independently, including improved focus, perseverance, self-control, goal setting, problem solving, organization, and decision-making.
Students in NDI New Mexico’s Advanced Training program are less likely to have disciplinary infractions at school compared to students who did not participate.
Additionally, students involved in the Advanced Training program were less likely to be chronically absent from school compared to students who did not participate
Evaluations are conducted by UNM's School of Medicine Prevention Research Center.
Students
in the Advanced Training
program were more likely to be proficient in math, science, and reading standardized testing than their peers.
OUR funding
NDI New Mexico provides access to excellence for thousands of underserved children and creates opportunities for youth in our state to build better futures. To ensure program sustainability, we depend and are grateful to our diverse funders.
"NDI does beautiful things for our state’s children and I think it’s truly amazing to see these kids blossom the way they do with the program."
- Curtis Clough Associate Superintendent of Silver Consolidated Schools
ways to GIVE
A gift to NDI New Mexico can be made in a number of different ways — as a bequest, as a memorial or tribute to another person, as an online donation, or as a contribution to the NDI New Mexico endowment. All charitable donations help children achieve success and are tax-deductible.
DONATE ONLINE
www.ndi-nm.org/donate
JOIN A GIVING CIRCLE
Circle of Friends: $1-$999
Founders' Circle: $1,000-$9,999
Circle of Excellence: $10,000-$99,999
Pillars of Excellence: $100,000+
GIFTS OF SECURITIES
Common stocks and mutual funds
PLANNED GIVING
Bequests, Charitable Gift Annuities and Trusts, or IRA Rollovers
NDI NEW MEXICO ENDOWMENT
Support NDI New Mexico’s financial security and initiatives for today and tomorrow
HONOR & MEMORIAL GIFTS
Make a tribute gift in honor of a joyous occasion or in memory of a loved one
FOUNDATION & CORPORATE PARTNERS
Grants and sponsorship opportunities support programs and events
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS AND UNITED WAY
Recommend or designate a gift to support NDI New Mexico programs
MATCHING GIFTS
Many employers will match gifts or volunteer hours donated
MONTHLY GIVING
Sustain NDI New Mexico programs with year-round impact
For more information or to make a donation, please contact Mary Gulledge, Director of Advancement, at 505.557.6044.
