International Dance Arts Collective

International Dance Arts Collective was founded by Alexandra Shadle in 2021 with the hope of spreading peace through dance and giving youth the unique opportunity to learn about the world through cultural and historical dance and music. Across many countries and cultures, the arts act as a unifying force to connect us as individuals, families, communities and even nations.  Through her experiences as a dancer, Alexandra knew that engaging with and learning about different people, cultures, and their art forms from around the world fosters feelings of appreciation and respect, leading to greater love, peace, and intercultural understanding. Participation in  {cultural} dance also has many well studied social, emotional, and physical benefits. 

IDAC serves our community through several programs. 

Cultural Dance Workshops for Schools

Since 2021, IDAC educators have taught over 1000 students from Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay and Sacramento in our school outreach program. IDAC educators work with VAPA and classroom teachers to offer integrated cultural arts programs at school. Students have the opportunity to learn how to observe, describe, and evaluate various dance forms. They also learn movement and dances from multiple cultures and have the opportunity to perform in a multicultural school wide performance for peers and parents.  IDAC has also given workshops in the homeschool community in the Greater Sacramento Area as well. 

Cultural Dance Presentations for Schools

IDAC educators and performers have presented Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month assemblies each years since to local public schools where students have the opportunity to learn about different Spanish speaking countries and cultures through music and dance.  IDAC educators and performers have also done interactive assemblies highlighting holidays and cultures around the world in November and December. 

Studio Based Dance Training in Cultural Dance

IDAC offers cultural dance and music training to children ages 5-18 in cultural dance by university trained cultural dance educators.  Each semester, students have the opportunity to learn dances, songs, and traditions from a different culture. Dancers and families are encouraged to learn about and share their own cultural traditions as well. Dancers have many opportunities to perform in the community. 

Service Through Performances  

IDAC Performers use their talents to serve by performing at 55+ communities as well as local multicultural festivals, celebrations, and community events. IDAC also hosts an annual multicultural performance open to the public called Festivals of Light where IDAC Performers and special guest musicians and dancers perform musical and dance from around the world.  IDAC also hosts an annual Family Dance where families can come and make memories learning and dancing cultural dances from around the world. 

Training for Teachers

IDAC Educators present professional development workshops to help teachers use music, movement, and dance in the classroom. 

Guest Educators and Cultural Consultants 

IDAC brings renowned guest artists and cultural consultants to share their native language, music, dance, and culture with our students. In the past few years, IDAC has hosted guests artists teaching Hawaiian, Ecudarian, Peruvian, French Canandian, Ukrainian,  and Romanian cultural dances. 

Cultural Exchange Tours

IDAC is proud to announce that IDAC performers have been invited to go to Romania to perform at the International Children's and Youth Folkloric Festival in Vatra Dornei. IDAC students will represent the USA as performing ambassadors performing each night and doing community outreach in the village during the day. IDAC students will learn dances from and associate with youth dancers from around the globe with the goal of practicing intercultural understanding and peace. 

IDAC students had the opportunity to serve, perform, and learn during a cultural exchange tour to Guatemala in 2023 and to NYC in 2024.  

IDAC hopes to be able to offer this type of cultural exchange experience to many more generations of youth!

Scholarships 

IDAC offers scholarships to young dancers/musicians so that children may be enriched by learning cultural music and dance regardless of ability to pay.  Currently, we have 10 students on scholarships of different levels and we depend on community support to fund those students' tuition. 

We are excited to see IDAC grow and watch the positive impact it has on our youth and how it will strengthen and unite members of our local communities!