The Helen Stambler Neuberger Artist-in-Residence Program is a one-year residency designed to support the creative process of a movement-based artist of color. The position offers emerging or established artists an opportunity to develop their craft while working with elementary and middle school-age students.
The Residency grew out of National Dance Institute’s commitment to cultivating racially diverse artistry throughout NDI programming. It is designed to bring creative exploration in dance and music to young dancers across all of NDI’s programs, to broaden the artistry of NDI Teaching Artists and to introduce the work of diverse choreographers to the NDI community. Children enrolled in NDI Advanced Teams work directly with and learn from these professional artists who are luminaries in the field of dance and music. The impact of the residency is felt by all children participating in New York City partner schools, as all of our teaching artists interact with the Artist-in-Residence throughout the year.
The Artist-in-Residence collaborates with NDI’s Advanced Team dancers to choreograph an original work that may be presented throughout the year at various events and venues, including NDI’s curated Art Nest series and Event of the Year. During the Residency, the Artist receives rehearsal space at the NDI Center, performance opportunities, professional development workshops and peer dialogue. NDI provides a fully supportive environment to be able to create and exchange ideas with other artists.
Meet NDI’s Artist-in-Residence 2021-2022: Earl Mosley
National Dance Institute has named Earl Mosley as its Helen Stambler Neuberger Artist-in-Residence 2021-2022. Fredrick Earl Mosley is Founder and Artistic Director of Diversity of Dance, which is the springboard for programs such as Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts (EMIA, a residential summer institute) held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island, Hearts of Men (HoM) a program which is designed to use dance to empower and cultivate a safe space where men of all ages can bond in a community of brotherly love, and Dancing Beyond, a benefit for Dance Against Cancer.
A part of Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance’s mission is to build a community of dance that enables each student to connect both technically and spiritually with their own art and individuality; one where they can feel safe and courageous to learn and grow in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead for them in the world of dance and life. Mr. Mosley’s choreographic credits include the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theater Studio Company, and Dallas Black Theatre. Mosley has also choreographed on schools such as Montclair State Dance Department, The Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program, The Ailey School, Hofstra University, Marymount Manhattan College, and numerous other universities and institutions both nationally and internationally.
Mr. Mosley first worked with the children of NDI choreographing a dance to “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman for the finale performance in the Dance Against Cancer benefit at Lincoln Center in 2021 where the children danced alongside Kevin Boseman, Erica Lall, Clifton Brown, Jacquelin Harris and many others.
Mr. Mosley will be working with NDI children and Teaching Artists throughout the year, setting choreography on NDI Advanced Teams dancers, leading NDI Collaborative workshops, and connecting with the NDI families, audiences and staff through performance and community events.
NDI’s Artist-in-Residence 2020-2021: Camille A. Brown & Dancers
Photo Credit: Camille A. Brown & Dancers in “ink”; Photo by Christopher Duggan
Camille A. Brown & Dancers was named National Dance Institute’s Helen Stambler Neuberger Artist-in-Residence 2020-2021. Founded in 2006, the company is led by Camille A. Brown, an award-winning Black female choreographer whose work reclaims the cultural narratives of African American identity. Dancers from the company joined NDI throughout the year to lead NDI’s Celebration Team dancers in classes and created original dance works for students. NDI’s teaching artists have taken part in a professional development workshop based on Camille A. Brown & Dancers’ “Every Body Move” initiative, rooted in the belief that “social dance works as a powerful tool for social change.”
NDI’s Artist-in-Residence 2019-2020: Leonardo Sandoval
Brazilian tap dancer and choreographer Leonardo Sandoval was named as National Dance Institute’s Helen Stambler Neuberger Artist-in-Residence 2019-2020. NDI’s first Artist-In-Residence, Leo is renowned for blending America’s tap tradition with Brazil’s rich musical and rhythmic heritage. Performing across the world at venues including Lincoln Center, the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Joyce Theater, the Guggenheim Museum, NY City Center, and other venues, Leo is a passionate advocate of arts education, leading workshops, classes, and lecture-demonstrations, centered on tap, body percussion, Afro-Brazilian rhythms and more. He worked with NDI’s young dancers as part of their artistic practice and was often seen rehearsing for his own performances at the NDI Center. Leo Sandoval always works with live music, which is an integral component to every NDI program and performance. He performed in NDI’s Jacques’ Art Nest Series program at the NDI Center.