Dedicated to building a strong foundation in the arts, North Carolina Dance Institute is a non-recital, non-competition institute focused on EDUCATION and EXPOSURE to classical ballet and contemporary dance forms for children and adults. NCDI offers distinctive dance programs that motivate students of all ages through fun and energetic classes.

Education and Exposure
Developing disciplined students, concentrating on dance fundamentals, emphasizing vocabulary, exploring choreography, and positively motivating young and adult students to excel are the core values of NCDI. Classes include classical ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip-hop, lyrical, Broadway and rhythm tap, children's preDance and creative movement, and more. NCDI focuses on individual student growth. Students have the opportunity to participate in master classes, North Carolina School of the Arts concerts, and summer visits to New York City. Students who show potential for professional careers in dance are carefully prepared for high school conservatory and college acceptance. Several former NCDI students have been accepted into the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA) School of Dance High School and College Programs, and NCSA Summer Sessions in Dance. NCDI students have also been accepted into Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Summer programs, Broadway Theatre Project in Florida, The Rock School and ABT/NYC Summer Programs.

Performance Opportunities
Performance opportunities are available to NCDI students who are committed to classical and contemporary technical training, with emphasis on a solid foundation of classical ballet. Each summer, NCDI produces an original performance known as the Summer Showcase. Students build their dance skills during the year and audition for this exciting, original performance opportunity. Original choreography by our faculty and NCDI dancers have also been featured in performances throughout the community. Public performances by NCDI have included Carolina Arts Festival's Broadway Rocks, NC Children’s Dance Festivals, NC School of Math and Sciences Community Dance Concerts, NC Museum of Art, NC Educators Ball, Wake County’s Pieces of Gold, Raleigh Little Theatre, American Red Cross Galas, AT&T Winterfest, NC Arts in Action, and NBC-17 Tree of Lights TV Special. See our news page for photos from our Summer Showcases and other performances over the years.

Our Alumni
Many NCDI students have been accepted into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) School of Dance high school and college programs, and UNCSA summer sessions in dance. NCDI students have also been accepted into Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Summer programs, Broadway Theatre Project in Florida, The Rock School, Bates Dance Festival, The NYC Rockettes Experience, Orlando Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Hubbard Street, Cedar Lake 360 Installation Project, Joffrey Ballet (NYC/California), and ABT/NYC Summer Programs. Several former students are pursuing professional careers in dance, including Grady Bowman with “Billy Elliott” and “Wonderland” on Broadway; Robert Hartwell with “Memphis” and “Nice work if you can get it” on Broadway, and now appearing in “Motown” in Chicago; Lindsey Matheis with Northwest Professional Dance Project; Bree Branker with the National Tour of “Memphis” and “Big Fish” on Broadway; Sam Beary Burns with the NYC Radio City Rockettes; Fallon d'Eliseo and Maggie Mial performing on Celebrity Cruise Lines; Victoria Cyzewski with the National Tour of “Bring It On”; and Emily Nicolas, who apprenticed with Hubbard Street 2 Dance Company, now dancing with Danish Dance Theatre in Scandinavia. We are very proud of our NCDI alumni who often return to their NCDI home to inspire our students.

North Carolina Dance Institute was founded by Kirstie Spadie (formerly Kirstie Tice) and Jay Spadie in June 2001 with the help of many friends, students, and their parents.
- Thank you.