I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a founder, a performer, producer, creative director, writer… and most importantly, I am a proud member of the National Dance Institute’s family. Founded by Jacques D’amboise – one of the most dazzling male ballet dancers in history – this program is one of the most amazing dance and performing arts program in the world. Jacques and my father-in-law have been friends for years. My husband and Jacques’ kids have been friends since childhood. But when I along with 4 other mom’s founded The Speyer Legacy School, none of that came into play when deciding on who our partner should be for our dance curriculum. It was all about this incredible dance program run by the fierce Ellen Weinstein, that was inclusive and emphatically designed to teach children technique through the love of dancing, and so different from other programs where a stern discipline is instilled in order to develop excellence.
READ MORE FROM MALENA BELAFONTE HERE IN THE SEPTEMBER 2019 ISSUE