Dancing Star Shows Kids Steps to Success

(CBS)  When Jacques d'Amboise gives an order, kids like Alex Shmizu listen.

"Even if he's yelling at you or encouraging you, it's all just to make you better," Shmizu said.

In 1976, d'Amboise created the National Dance Institute with $3,000 of his own money. His goal was simple: to make sure dancing would always be a part of a child's education, reports CBS News Correspondent Manuel Gallegus.

"You are taking control of how you move, and it's just a metaphor for taking control of your life," d'Amboise said.

To submit an idea for The American Spirit send us an e-mail: [e-mail]

The classical dancer knows firsthand the impact the performing arts can have on a young mind.

In 1941, to keep him off the streets, d'Amboise's mom sent him to dance class. With a gift for jumping high, he was mentored by legendary choreographer George Balanchine. At 15, d'Amboise joined the New York City Ballet. He held the lead for 27 years and was honored in 1995 for his place in American culture.

Now at 75, he is still sharing his success with children.

Starting with grade school for one hour one day a week, d'Amboise's free year-round dance classes give public school kids a break from the books.

"It helps them build their confidence," said teacher Euwon Ahn. "They're able to discover their hidden talents."

More than anything else, they have fun.

"I just like it because you're allowed to have so much passion and it's something totally new," said student Joshua Firzell.

In 33 years, this dance program has reached more than two million children, and it's now in 12 states.

Once a year, 200 of the talented kids are chosen to perform on a New York stage in front of thousands. It's a chance for some to imagine, others to shine and all of them to come together. For standouts like Shmizu, the performance provides an opportunity to see what life is like at center stage and boosts the students' confidence off the dance floor.

"Once you figure out, hey, I can do this and people believe me in me, it makes school easier, it makes everything easier," Shmizu said.

Money raised from the shows help fund the $3.5 million a year program. For d'Amboise, it's all priceless.

"I'm just doing what I was programmed to do," d'Amboise said.

With small steps, he's helping future generations take giant leaps in life.