By Carol Belt, Secretary, Board of Trustees, TEDI
Trenton, NJ —-
Two of Trenton’s longest-standing and most vibrant non-profit organizations, Trenton Education Dance Institute (TEDI) and The Children’ Home Society of NJ. (CHS) are joining forces to help students develop learning skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.
Established in 1894, The Children’s Home Society of NJ, is a Trenton-based statewide social service agency that has combined its strength and community programs to insure that TEDI’s programs are available to Trenton’s public school students.
TEDI, founded in 1989, uses the varied disciplines of dance to develop standards of personal excellence, discipline, learning skills and respect for others which Trenton’s students can carry into all aspects of their lives. It is based on award winning programs developed by legendary Ballet dancer/choreographer Jacques d’Amboise in the belief that “the arts have a unique power to engage and motivate children to achieve their personal best.” TEDI uses professional artist/teachers, demanding pedagogy and a unique combination of classes, performance and educational challenges to foster pride in achievement, curiosity and a broad appreciation of the arts. Reaching across social, ethnic and economic boundaries, it includes children facing physical and emotional challenges.
This year TEDI found the perfect partner in The Children’s Home Society. Combining shared purposes with budget efficiency TEDI is currently providing in-school dance classes to all 6th grade students at Dunn Middle School and challenging after-school programs for selected 6th graders and graduates of past TEDI programs. In partnership with CHS plans are developing with the goal of bringing TEDI programs to 5th Grade students in the Trenton Public School system.
TEDI’s Artistic Director Dufftin Garcia and musical accompanist Glenn McClelland teach Trenton students two days a week. The TEDI team is administratively supported by CHS of NJ’s KIKS Program Administrator Louise Shabazz. Students look forward to these fun classes which challenge their physical and cognitive capabilities, while igniting and empowering self-esteem. Periodically students have been able to show off their achievements to family and fellow students at Demonstration Assemblies and the recent Family Fun Night. The end of the school-year will be celebrated with the annual presentation of an original musical “The Voice of Verse…A Lyrical Lesson.” Details for this 22nd TEDI Event of the Year will become available soon.
TEDI Board President and former publisher of The Times, Richard Billotti adds, “Every TEDI session engages children and provides a wonderful opportunity for each of them to excel beyond their own expectations by setting goals and achieving them thru hard work and discipline. The smiles as they test their abilities to jump, spin and dance are truly extraordinary. It empowers them. Their joy is infectious and priceless.”
Donna C. Pressma, President and CEO of The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, worked for over a year with the TEDI Board to help bring TEDI and CHS together. The Society already manages Trenton’s 22 year-old middle school-based KIKS (Kids Intervention with Kids in School) Program and more than 40 other programs serving children and families. “By working with the TEDI program, CHS of NJ keeps hope alive for hundreds of Trenton’s youth who might not have this incredible educational opportunity. With a shared mission of saving children’s lives and building healthy families, we are thrilled to continue offering, together, the amazing educational dance programs of TEDI which have served the children of Trenton for more than two decades.”
In June, upon completion of this pilot year at Dunn Middle School, TEDI will become a full-fledged program of CHS of NJ. For more information about TEDI, including funding opportunities, contact Carol Belt at [email protected].

