National Dance Institute Annual Gala Honoring Daymond John
Company:
National Dance Institute
National Dance Institute (NDI), the non-profit arts education organization founded in 1976 by legendary New York City Ballet principal dancer, Jacques d’Amboise, will host its 43rd Annual Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The Annual Gala is National Dance Institute’s largest fundraising event and raises $1.5 million annually in support of NDI’s award-winning arts education programs for thousands of children in New York City public schools.
NDI will honor Daymond John, Founder and CEO of FUBU, and star of Emmy Award-winning Shark Tank. Daymond will be recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to supporting children's success through his powerful mentorship programs. He stands as a role model of excellence to the young children of NDI who hail from public schools throughout New York City. NDI will also honor founder and managing partner at Savanna, Christopher Schlank. Schlank was a member of Jacques d’Amboise’s very first class of students during NDI’s earliest days over 43 years ago. Dancing with the d’Amboise’s was a family affair for the Schlanks: Schlank’s mother, Joan, began taking weekly classes with Jacques’s wife, Carrie, who, like Jacques, was also a dancer with New York City Ballet.
“I believe that mentorship has the power to impact the trajectory of one’s life,” said Daymond John. “As a child, the lessons that I learned stuck with me and I’m thrilled to be honored by an organization like NDI, a program that is encouraging children to learn important life skills through the arts.”
“When I was 10 years old, I had the fortune of taking part in after-school dance classes taught by Jacques d’Amboise,” said Christopher Schlank, managing partner of Savanna. Schlank continued, “Jacques taught us about perseverance, striving for excellence, and how to reach our greatest potential. I am honored to be recognized by NDI and I celebrate with them all they have achieved since those early days 43 years ago, and all they do to infuse children’s lives with the beauty and power of the arts.”
The night will feature a live auction, as well as exuberant performances by the children on NDI, showcasing the mission, essence, and impact of the program. The theme for the evening, Voices of Change, shines a spotlight on individuals throughout history who have used their voices and their art to inspire and effect positive change in the world.
WHO:
Renowned ballet dancer and National Dance Institute founder Jacques d’Amboise; entrepreneur, author, and Shark Tank investor Daymond John, Savanna founder and managing partner, Christopher Schlank, among others.
In support of National Dance Institute, this year’s Star Committee includes: actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II; composer and conductor David Amram; Charlotte d’Amboise; Alec and Hilaria Baldwin; Mandy Patinkin; Whoopi Goldberg; Mikhail Baryshnikov; Glenn Close; Homer Bryant; Michael Cerveris; actress and writer Kathryn Grody; Terrence Mann; Lysiane Luong Grooms; Red Grooms; Bill Irwin; Kevin Kline; Rebecca Krohn; Norm Lewis; Ann Martin; Sara Mearns; Frank Ohman; Desmond Richardson; Chita Rivera; James Taylor; Edward Viellela; Wendy Whelan; and Tony Yazback American Ballet Theatre dancers Isabella Boylston and Calvin Royal III; and New York City Ballet dancers Tiler Peck, Daniel Ulbricht, Sterling Hyltin, Megan Fairchild, Robert Fairchild, Joaquin De Luz, Adrian Danchig-Waring, Ask la Cour, Teresa Reichlen, and Ashley Bouder.
WHERE:
Ziegfeld Ballroom | 141 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019
WHEN:
Monday, April 15, 2019
6pm cocktails | 7pm seated dinner, live auction and performances
**5:30PM Media Check In
