PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

National Dance Institute

National Dance Institute: Investigating the Impact of Dance Learning on Youth Development

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Team:  Dennie Palmer Wolf, Annick Odom, Shoug Alsayegh

WolfBrown is partnering with the National Dance Institute (NDI) on a multi-site research study exploring how dance learning supports the social-emotional and artistic development of third and fourth grade students in New York City public schools. The study involves classroom observations and student surveys across five schools during the 2025–26 academic year, focusing on how participation in NDI’s dance programs shapes students’ engagement, growth mindsets, and learner identities.

This work will inform NDI’s future program design and contribute to broader conversations about the role of arts education in child development.