NDT legacy supporters share their story
What inspires someone to include NDT in their will? For many people, NDT is much more than a dance company. It represents artistic innovation, connection, inspiration, and the power to move and touch people. The stories below show just how deep that connection can be. Three dance enthusiasts who have included NDT in their wills share, in their own words, what NDT means to them and why they have chosen to pass on their love of dance to future generations.
To us, NDT is more than a dance company. At NDT, everyone is equal and everyone belongs.
Hans and Ineke are members of the NDT patrons circle, and legacy supporters
For 35 years, we’ve been enchanted by NDT. Its magical dance moves us deeper than words ever could. NDT shows us what equality and connection truly look like, enriching not just our lives, but also those of many others through its community projects.
Every performance makes us feel part of something greater and more beautiful. During a difficult period in our lives, NDT gave us strength and support. The company feels like a warm bath — a constant source of inspiration. That’s why we support NDT, even in our will, so that future generations can continue to experience this magic. We hope many others will feel the same enchantment and let NDT take them along for the journey.
Marise has been a NDT fan since she was little, and left the company in her will.
My first encounter with NDT was when the company was still in its infancy and I had just started taking ballet classes myself. Sitting in the theatre, I was immediately struck by the sheer physical expressiveness — as if I were being drawn onto the stage. With every performance, that same sense of fascination returned. Creativity, passion, extraordinary physical control and relentless dedication radiated from the dancers. I didn’t yet have the words for it back then, but the experience was intense. And it has never changed.The company’s constant pursuit of artistic freedom and growth has resulted in achievements of international acclaim. Even today, I am deeply moved by the dancers’ expressive power. It matters to me that NDT continues to touch and inspire people long after I’m gone, with its breathtaking performances. That’s why I’m proud to contribute to its future in my will.
Hans and Trudy see a universal language in dance
Trudy: “As a child, I was already fascinated by dance. I went to Scapino Ballet performances with my mother and took ballet lessons myself. My love only grew when NDT introduced me to modern American dance alongside classical ballet."
Hans: “I didn’t grow up with dance, but after seeing Strangers by Jennifer Muller in 1975, I was hooked. We now deeply love dance because it combines iron discipline with emotion — a fusion of movement, music, stage design, costumes, and direction in a universal, borderless language. We want to support NDT, especially in talent development and education, so that future generations can also experience this magic, even after we are no longer here."
”We want future generations to discover and be inspired by dance, even when we are no longer here."