Who We Are

Jacques d’Amboise founded National dance Institute (NDI). With the belief that art transforms children’s lives.

Tracy Straus was hired by NDI as an apprentice and soon became a full time teaching artist.

250 Children/5 Schools

“He Makes Me Feel Like Dancing”

Aspen Santa Fe Hired Tracy Straus to create Celebrate the Beat, the Colorado associate of NDI. Jacques d’Amboise attended CTB’s inaugural show.

250 Children/2 Schools

“A Celebration of Poetry”

Tracy became Associate Artistic Director of NDI. CTB served every child at the Aspen Community School.

350 Children/4 Schools

“A Celebration of Literature”

CTB expanded to Gunnison County, serving 100+ children annually for over 20 years. Students from Slate River Community School crossed the mountain pass to perform with Aspen Community School peers.

350 Children/4 Schools

“The Harlem Renaissance Visit Aspen”

CTB continued residencies in Pitkin and Gunnison counties. NDI alumni traveled all the way from NYC to join our students in the mountains, sharing the stage for an unforgettable performance.

350 Children/4 Schools

“It’s All Relative”

CTB was established as an independent nonprofit, running programs in rural Colorado.

350 Children/ 4 Schools

“Rivers of the World”

Tracy journeyed to India to develop an original show and train teachers, leaving a lasting legacy as classes continue to thrive at Nrityagram.

370 Children/5 Schools

“24 Hours in India”

Heather Watts, renowned Prima Ballerina of the New York City Ballet, reached out to NDI in NYC and invited Tracy to lead a summer camp. Heather fondly dubbed it 'Camp in a Box' because Tracy arrived fully prepared—with boundless joy, the teaching method, live music, stage tape, and more. And so, 'Pop Hop' was born, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.

450 Children/7 Schools

“Heroes Through History”

Damian Woetzel and Heather Watts officially brought CTB on board to create 'Pop Hop,' a groundbreaking summer camp for the Vail Dance Festival. At the time, CTB was still largely unknown, so Damian and Heather personally went door to door, even offering financial incentives to families to join the program. That same year, CTB celebrated another milestone by hiring our first Executive Director and Teaching Artist, setting the stage for future growth and impact.

600 Children/10 Schools

“The Harlem Renaissance Vists Avon”

CTB expanded into Eagle County as part of the Vail Dance Festival's outreach, with Tony Kieraldo joining as Musical Director. The program continued its impact in rural Colorado, inspiring a philanthropist to fund a new initiative in Nayarit, Mexico.

800 Children/12 Schools

“Imagine”

CTB forged a strong partnership with the Vail Valley Foundation to expand into year-round programming, while continuing its impactful work in rural Colorado and residencies in Mexico.

2,000 Children/15 Schools

“Motown Magic”

Expanded rural programming, grew initiatives in Mexico, seeded a program in Delta County, and performed with Yo-Yo Ma in Vail!

2,500 Children/17 Schools

“Dancing Through New Orleans”

Expanded programming in Eagle, Gunnison, and Mexico, brought CTB to Idaho, and had the honor of performing at the White House!

3,000 Children/20 Schools

“Outer Space - A Journey to the Stars”

Continued programing in rural Colorado and Mexico, and expanded into Denver public schools.

3,300 Children/23 Schools

“The Lorax (Seeds of Change)”

Secured funding from the Colorado Health Foundation to expand into Commerce City, performed with Yo-Yo Ma at the Vail Ideas Festival, and welcomed Kris Walsh lead in Eagle.

4,000 Children/30 Schools

“Rivers of the World II”

Programming continued in Colorado and Mexico, with summer sessions in Aspen and Crested Butte. CTB was contracted by Commerce City to serve all schools in Adams 14. The legendary Misty Copeland collaborated with our children at the Boys and Girls Club.

4,100 Children/31 Schools

“Systems of the Body”

Continued programming in rural Colorado, Mexico, and Denver, and expanded into Westminster Schools. Partnered with Food Bank of the Rockies for the Summer Institute and launched the first 'Fresh Air' initiative, giving Commerce City children the chance to spend three nights camping.

4,000 Children/27 Schools

“A Celebration of Poetry II”

Continued programming in rural Colorado, Denver, and Mexico. Jacques visited a teacher training in Denver, and the 6-week Summer Institute in Denver continued, funded by the Colorado Health Foundation.

4,000 Children/27 Schools

“Leaping off the Canvas”

Jacques visited Denver, Vail, and Aspen, while 'Pop Hop' grew to serve 120 dancers annually at the Ford Amphitheater during the Vail Dance Festival. The program continued to thrive and expand.

4,000 children/22 Schools

“Viva Mexico”

Expanded into Denver and Westminster public schools, while continuing programming in Eagle, rural Colorado, and Mexico. Strengthened after-school programs to reach even more students.

4,000 children/22 Schools

“We Persist”

Continued programming in Denver, rural Colorado, Aurora, and Westminster. When the world changed, we became filmmakers and video editors, quickly adapting to teach through Zoom just one week into the pandemic.

8,000 Children/22 Schools and hundreds of homes!

“We Persist Too” and “Outer Space” Virtual

We rose to the challenge of the global pandemic by creating 200 videos and producing four episodes for Rocky Mountain PBS. During this time, we also mourned the loss of our beloved Jacques, and we proudly carry on his legacy.

4,000 Children/22 Schools

“Systems of the Body II”

Returned to in-school programming and celebrated Eagle County’s launch of an alumni program by hiring its first full-time alum. Built a partnership with Littleton Public Schools and visited Costa Rica to share CTB programming with Cepia Schools.

4,000 Children/23 Schools

“Seeds of Solution”

Wrote an original musical celebrating climate solutions, continued programming in Aurora, Littleton, DPS, and rural Colorado, and launched a new program in Costa Rica.

4,000 Children/25 Schools

“The Color of Light”

Continued programming in rural Colorado, Aurora, Littleton, DPS, and Costa Rica. Expanded to Summit County, a community where Kris has proudly lived for 10 years, while leading in Eagle.