North Carolina Dance Institute

North Carolina Dance Institute is a non-recital, non-competition institute founded in June 2001 by Kirstie Spadie and Jay Spadie. The studio's core mission is education and exposure to classical ballet and contemporary dance forms for children and adults. NCDI deliberately avoids the recital and competition model, allowing students to focus on technique, fundamentals, and artistic growth without the costs and distractions of costume charges, competition fees, or endless drilling of the same routines.

Classes run year-round on a 40-week schedule (August to June) plus a 6-week summer session (June to August). Day and evening classes serve ages 3 to adult across multiple styles: ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, lyrical, Broadway, rhythm tap, contemporary, children's preDance, and creative movement. The studio emphasizes individual student growth, giving blanket corrections to the whole class alongside personalized feedback to each dancer. Teachers focus on both flawless technique and artistry—dancers learn to move with intention and emotion, not just execute choreography.

NCDI has a strong track record of preparing students for higher education and professional careers. Former students have been accepted into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) high school and college programs, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Summer programs, Broadway Theatre Project in Florida, The Rock School, Bates Dance Festival, Joffrey Ballet, and ABT/NYC Summer Programs. Several alumni are working professionally on Broadway and in dance companies: Grady Bowman performed in Billy Elliott and Wonderland; Robert Hartwell appeared in Memphis and Nice Work If You Can Get It, now in Motown in Chicago; Lindsey Matheis with Northwest Professional Dance Project; Bree Branker with the National Tour of Memphis and Big Fish on Broadway; Sam Beary Burns with the NYC Radio City Rockettes; Victoria Cyzewski with the National Tour of Bring It On; and Emily Nicolas apprenticed with Hubbard Street 2 Dance Company and now dances with Danish Dance Theatre in Scandinavia.

Performance opportunities exist for committed students. Each summer, NCDI produces an original Summer Showcase. In 2025, the Steps to Stage Performance Program presented "Silver Spotlight: A 25-Year Celebration of Dance" at Wakefield High School. Auditions for the 2026-2027 Steps to Stage program are held in June and July. NCDI students have also performed at Carolina Arts Festival's Broadway Rocks, NC Children's Dance Festivals, NC School of Math and Sciences Community Dance Concerts, NC Museum of Art, Wake County's Pieces of Gold, Raleigh Little Theatre, and other community venues. Optional observation weeks allow families to view classes through the glass.

Summer offerings include the standard 6-week class session plus week-long dance camps and intensives. 2026 summer camps include Ballet Basics Boot Camp (Aug 3–7, ages 9–13), Contemporary Basics Boot Camp (Aug 3–7, ages 9–13), Commercial Dance Experience (July 27–31, ages 11–18), Musical Theater Dance Intensive (July 28–Aug 1, ages 9–13), and Kids Dance Camp—90's Pop Stars (July 28–Aug 1, ages 6–10). The studio draws students from across the Triangle area including Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Clayton, Clinton, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Wendell, Youngsville, and Zebulon.

NCDI is welcoming to beginners and returners alike. Classes are high-energy and challenging, with teachers giving individual corrections alongside whole-class instruction. The studio emphasizes proper technique, vocabulary, and artistic expression. Adults returning to dance after years away report feeling comfortable and inspired rather than intimidated. The atmosphere is described by students as positive and supportive, with a focus on your own progress rather than competition with others.

Kirstie Spadie is the director and founder (co-founded with Jay Spadie in June 2001). Faculty include Kim Fox, Victoria, and Melody. Reviews consistently praise instructors for their professionalism, knowledge of technique, ability to answer detailed questions about form, and personable, encouraging teaching style. Teachers deliver individual corrections to each student and are described as fantastically skilled at creating challenging and engaging choreography.

Yes. The studio welcomes absolute beginners of all ages, from preschoolers through adults, and classes are organized by age and level with beginner-friendly progressions.