Photo Coverage: National Dance Institute Event of The Year: A Celebration of John Lennon

The National Dance Institute Event of The Year: A Celebration of John Lennon at LaGuardia High School in New York City took place on June 22, 2009. The LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts is located at 100 Amsterdam Ave (between 64th and 65th Sts).

Star of screen and stage Cloris Leachman and her son George Englund, Jr. took part in the festive day of dance and song! BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to cheer the talented young dancers on!

The Golden Globe and nine-time Emmy winning actress and entertainer is more popular than ever. Leachman was recently the Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade and a feisty show stopper on "Dancing with the Stars". Leachman, originated the role of Frau Blucher in Mel Brooks' classic film Young Frankenstein. The actress won the Oscar for 1971's The Last Picture Show, has won eight Emmy Awards, with one for "Malcolm in the Middle" being her latest. She famously played Phyllis on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and her many Broadway credits include A Touch of the Poet, King of Hearts and As You Like It.

The National Dance Institute's advanced team of artists leaped to the stage in a spirited performance honoring the late Beatle's work. Leachman joined the youngsters moving and grooving to "Imagine" among other Lennon numbers. The choreography was inspired both by the song's lyrics and by American Sign Language.

National Dance Institute (NDI) transforms the lives of over 35,000 New York City public school children and their families each year. Under the artistic direction of Ellen Weinstein and a staff of professional dancer/choreographers and musician/composers, NDI strives to reach every child, transcending barriers of language, culture, and physical challenges. NDI fosters a love of the arts and a curiosity about the world in all of the children it serves. Children learn to work together, to develop personal standards of excellence, and a belief in themselves that carries over into all aspects of their lives...for the rest of their lives. Since it was founded in 1976 by New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d'Amboise, NDI and its affiliates have impacted the lives of over 2 million children.

Photos by RD / Dziekan / Retna Digital

The National Dance Institute Event of The Year: A Celebration of John Lennon at LaGuardia High School in New York City