NYC Dance Institute Hosts Inclusive DREAM Project

National Dance Institute's special camp brings together dancers with and without disabilities.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The National Dance Institute in Harlem, New York hosts a special dance camp twice a year called the DREAM Project, which brings together dancers with and without disabilities. The week-long program is tailored to each participant's unique abilities, allowing everyone to take center stage regardless of their physical or cognitive challenges.

Why it matters

Inclusive extracurricular activities can be difficult to find for families with children who have disabilities. The DREAM Project aims to change perceptions about who can dance and provide an opportunity for all abilities to participate and learn from each other.

The details

The DREAM Project features choreography that starts with what all the dancers can do, then allows them to differentiate based on their individual skills. Dancers may use wheelchairs, be blind, or have autism, but the instructors work to create unique routines that showcase each person's abilities. The program is part of the National Dance Institute's mission to change the audience's understanding of what dance can and should look like.

  • The DREAM Project takes place twice a year, in February and August.

The players

National Dance Institute

A Harlem-based organization that hosts the inclusive DREAM Project dance camp.

Kay Gayner

The artistic director of the National Dance Institute.

INCLUDEnyc

An organization that attempts to help parents of children with disabilities find affordable and inclusive activities in the community.

Kpana Kpoto

An employee of INCLUDEnyc whose son has autism.

Tim Turnham

The grandfather of a DREAM Project camper named Juniper.

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What they’re saying

“One of our goals and missions is to change an audience's understanding of what dance can, should look like. Who can dance?”

— Kay Gayner, Artistic Director, National Dance Institute

“They have a right to participate in activities in the community the same way as their non-disabled peers. Learning comes both ways because children without disabilities can also learn from children with disabilities.”

— Kpana Kpoto, Employee, INCLUDEnyc

“Having a special needs child takes up a lot of time and a lot of energy. So, then having the bandwidth to find the extra things that really help them flourish as people. Sometimes it's very difficult to do that.”

— Tim Turnham, Grandfather of DREAM Project Camper

What’s next

The National Dance Institute plans to continue hosting the DREAM Project twice a year, providing an inclusive space for dancers of all abilities to showcase their talents.

The takeaway

The DREAM Project demonstrates how inclusive extracurricular activities can benefit everyone, challenging perceptions about who can dance and allowing children with disabilities to participate alongside their peers in a supportive and empowering environment.