Blog / News

Why We Created IDA

Posted on by IDA

It started with a question.

How can we help dancers grow, feel proud, and stay motivated through performance and personal achievement?

For years, we taught at studios, mentored teachers, and judged exams. We saw how motivated students could be when they had a goal, a performance, an evaluation, a chance to shine. But we also saw something else: stress, burnout, tears over missed marks, and talented dancers quitting not because they lacked skill but because they didn’t love the pressure.

We believed there had to be a better way.

We didn’t want more trophies. We wanted more growth.

While traditional dance pathways can be exciting and motivating, they often leave students feeling judged, ranked, or behind. And these pathways aren’t ideal for every dancer or every studio.

We wanted a system where:

  • Every dancer leaves feeling proud
  • Every teacher feels supported
  • Every studio has structure with flexibility

That’s when we created International Dance Acclaim (IDA).

What Makes IDA Different?

Instead of comparative grading, we offer celebration. Instead of broad comparisons, we offer personalized feedback. Instead of rigid syllabi, we offer a flexible curriculum that supports your teaching, not replaces it.

IDA is a performance-based ballet and tap program designed to motivate, celebrate, and educate through a supportive framework.

Students perform tiered exercises and solos for a professional adjudicator in a supportive, showcase-style event. Then they receive a medal, a certificate, and most importantly, encouraging, growth-oriented feedback.

Why Teachers Love It

  • A tiered, progressive curriculum for ballet and tap
  • Over 300 instructional videos
  • Original music by acclaimed ballet pianist Steven Mitchell
  • Easy-to-follow lesson structure for every level
  • Monthly Technique Talks webinars for ongoing support

Whether you’ve been teaching for decades or just started last fall, IDA gives you tools that work without dictating your style or method.

Why Students (and Parents) Love It

Kids want to feel progress. Parents want to see it.

The IDA program creates structure, goal-setting, and celebration through individual accomplishment. Whether it’s a 5-year-old taking their first bow or a teen working on artistry, every dancer gets to perform and feel recognized.

And for parents, an IDA event shows them exactly what their child has accomplished without costumes, chaos, or the pressure of competition.

Achievement Through Performance

IDA exists because we believe:

  • Dancers grow through performance
  • Feedback should encourage, not discourage
  • Structure creates freedom in the studio
  • Every dancer deserves a moment to shine

If you’ve ever felt that your students needed something more to foster their growth and passion for dance, IDA might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Want to chat about how it could work for your studio? Book a 15-minute call with us here

Thanks for being part of a community that puts dancers first.

With gratitude,
Rebecca Tsivkin
Director, International Dance Acclaim

Summer Excitement & What’s Next with IDA!

Posted on by IDA

Hello, friends of dance!

What an invigorating lead up to summer it has been. At International Dance Acclaim, we’ve been filled with vibrant activity, connecting with the global dance community and fostering growth. Some recent spring IDA Awards were held in Texas, Grand Cayman, Chicago, Canada, Sweden, and Hong Kong!

Technique Talks: Our Engaging Webinar Series

We’re thrilled to continue our popular monthly webinar series, Technique Talks. Each session brings together dancers and teachers from diverse corners of the world, sharing insights and fostering lively discussions. We recently wrapped up a fantastic session about finishing the year strong and planning ahead. The energy and unique perspectives shared by participants, from across the U.S. to as far as Israel and Denmark, truly made it a memorable experience. It’s always inspiring to connect and learn from one another!

Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo 2025: IDA is Vegas-Bound!

This summer, we’re once again heading to Las Vegas for the highly anticipated Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo 2025! This event is a highlight for us, offering an incredible opportunity to connect with new teachers and studio owners at the IDA booth (stop by and say Hello at booth #311!). We cherish these moments to share how IDA empowers dancers through our performance-based curriculum. We’re also incredibly excited to reconnect with familiar faces and continue building our wonderful community. Of course, we’ll be sharing our passion for dance by leading four engaging classes – stay tuned for our full schedule! It’s always a whirlwind of inspiration, learning, and fun.

What’s on the Horizon?

We’re already looking forward to our next Technique Talk session. Keep an eye on your inbox and our social media channels for the official date and topic announcement. We’ll be exploring another valuable subject to support your dance journey.

Until then, keep dancing with passion, keep learning, and keep spreading the joy of movement!

See you soon,

The IDA Team

Bring Structure & Simplicity to Your Dance Classes

Posted on by IDA

Running a successful studio is no small feat. Between managing schedules, training staff, and ensuring that classes are consistent across all levels, it can often feel like you’re juggling a million tasks at once. The good news? You don’t have to do it all alone. Implementing a structured curriculum can bring much-needed organization and simplicity to your dance classes, benefiting both your teachers and your students — not to mention your studio’s bottom line!

The Benefits of a Structured Curriculum

  1. Time Efficiency Without Sacrificing Quality

As a studio owner, your time is precious. A structured curriculum can free up valuable hours that you can redirect toward other essential aspects of your business. Instead of spending countless hours rebuilding your curriculum each season, you can rely on a proven program that has been designed by experienced and respected dance educators. This allows you to maintain high-quality instruction while also giving you the freedom to focus on marketing, student engagement, and other critical areas of your studio’s overall success.

  1. Consistent Student Progression

A well-defined curriculum ensures that students progress smoothly from one level to the next. By following a structured program, you can guarantee that each student is receiving the necessary skills and knowledge to advance. This consistency not only enhances the learning experience but also builds a sense of community within your studio. Students will feel more connected as they share similar experiences and milestones, fostering a supportive environment that encourages growth.

  1. Support for Newer Teachers

What if your new teachers felt confident from day one?

Imagine this: a brand-new instructor (or a sub) walks into class and already knows exactly what to teach, how to teach it, and how to keep students engaged — all without spending hours building lesson plans from scratch.

That’s what happens when you give your team access to a robust structured curriculum.

At International Dance Acclaim, we offer more than just a syllabus:

Over 300 instructional videos divided into levels, original music, comprehensive teaching notes, monthly “Technique Talks” webinars, and personalized support are all designed to help teachers deliver consistent, high-quality instruction with confidence from the very start. With the IDA curriculum, even your newest teachers will walk in prepared, energized, and ready to lead.

Practical Tips for Implementing a Structured Curriculum

  • Assess Your Current Program: Take a close look at your existing curriculum. Identify areas that may need improvement or consistency. This will help you determine what aspects of a structured program will be most beneficial for your studio.
  • Involve Your Teachers: Engage your teaching staff in the process. Gather their input on what they need to feel supported and successful. This collaboration can lead to a more cohesive teaching approach and a stronger sense of ownership among your instructors.
  • Utilize Available Resources: Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the resources available to you. At International Dance Acclaim, we offer a wealth of instructional videos and personal guidance from industry experts. These resources can be invaluable as you implement a new curriculum.
  • Monitor Progress: Regularly assess student progress and gather feedback from your teachers. This will help you make necessary adjustments to your curriculum and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of your students and staff.

Conclusion

Bringing structure and simplicity to your dance classes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By implementing a structured curriculum, you can support your teachers, ensure consistent student progression, and free up your time to focus on growing your studio. At International Dance Acclaim, we’re here to help you every step of the way. With our robust curriculum in ballet and tap, you can feel confident in your ability to provide high-quality dance education.

Want to explore streamlining your programs and get a glimpse of how other studios are benefiting from our resources?
Reach out and connect with us — we’d love to learn about your studio and see how IDA can help you make this dance season your best one yet!

Warmly,
Rebecca
International Dance Acclaim

Alumni Spotlight – Joseph Lihos

Posted on by Rebecca

Meet our third IDA alumni feature, Joseph Lihos! Joseph Trained at Staunton Academy of Ballet with Pamela McCray and Shanda Hansen for 7 years. He entered IDA every year, the last level he did was Tier L. He was offered a scholarship to train full time at Ballet West in Utah, Salt Lake City. Joseph loved the opportunity to dance the male variations in the IDA program, particularly a Swan Lake variation. When learning a different version of the Swan Lake male variation at a summer program, he felt confident as he had already learned and performed this variation with IDA.

Photo Credit, Danielle McMillion

Alumni Spotlight – Noam Tsivkin, State Street Ballet

Posted on by IDA
Noam Tsivkin, from New York City, received his dance training from Merle Sepel and his mother, Rebecca Tsivkin at The Academy of Dance in California.

He continued his training at the School of American Ballet where he performed with New York City Ballet in productions of The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet. He received further training from the Alvin Ailey School, French Academie of Ballet, and State Street Ballet’s Professional Track program before joining State Street Ballet in 2016.

 

You can see Noam performing in Kismet in Santa Barbara. A fully staged musical and artistic collaboration, directed by Broadway’s Lonny Price, featuring the Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, and a cast of performers from across the globe. 

Tickets at https://ticketing.granadasb.org/15635/15647

 

You can see Noam demonstrating in IDA’s Intermediate Tier Videos.

Alumni Spotlight – Andrea Yorita, Ballet X

Posted on by Noam Tsivkin
Photo by Gabriel Bienczycki. Courtesy BalletX.

Andrea Yorita is from Irvine, California, where she received her classical ballet training at Academy of Dance under the direction of Merle Sepel, Rebecca Tsivkin, and Mignon Furman.

In 2012, she graduated as a Gillespie Scholar with a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of California, Irvine, where she studied under Jodie Gates, Molly Lynch, and Donald McKayle. Originally trained under the RAD syllabus, Andrea has completed all Vocational RAD exams with Distinction, as well as received the Solo Seal Award. In 2008, Andrea competed as a finalist in the Genée International Ballet Competition in Toronto, Canada. She has participated in the National Choreographers Initiative as an apprentice, and the Traverse City Dance Project. Andrea was a 2016 Dance Finalist for the Clive Barnes Award. She joined BalletX in 2012.

You can see Andie demonstrating in IDA’s Advanced Tier videos. Here’s what she says about the program:

“Working on IDA brought me back to my training with Merle Sepel and Rebecca Tsivkin. It reminded me how important it is as a professional to always remember your roots. As a young dancer, dissecting a set of exercises always allowed me to dive deeper into the movement and pushed me to try and achieve the unattainable perfection of every step. I feel very fortunate to have been trained by Merle Sepel and Rebecca Tsivkin. They not only taught me the incredible athleticism it takes to dance, but also turned me into an artist. I believe that training with this program would make me a physically stronger dancer as well as expand my artistic quality.”

Andie is currently touring the country with BalletX. You can find tour dates here: https://www.balletx.org/on-tour/

The NEW Tier A1 is Ready

Posted on by Rebecca

We have added a new option for our youngest dancers.

If you have already purchased the Prejunior/Junior Tiers, The new Tier A1 (videos, music and notes) will now appear in your downloads. This is a complementary upgrade to the curriculum! Go to your account and redownload the Tier A videos, the prejunior/junior notes, and the prejunior/junior music, and you will see that we have added:

Tier A1 Port de Bras

Tier A1 Dance Steps

Tier A1 Teddy Bear Dance

If you have not yet purchased the program Tier A1 will be included in your purchase.

How is your Attitude?

Posted on by Rebecca
By Marlena Juniman –Prima Soft Pointe Shoe Designer – www.prima-soft.com

 

Attitude ([aah-tee-TEWD) A French ballet term introduced by French ballet choreographer Carlo Blasis ,(1797-1876) inspired by the Statue of Mercury by Giovanni da Bologna.

The .Attitude is executed by standing on one leg with the other lifted in back, the knee bent at an angle of 90 degrees with the leg well turned out so that the knee is higher than the foot. The supporting foot may be flat on the floor, demi pointe or sur la pointe. The arm on the side of the raised leg is curved over the head while the other arm is extended to the side. There are a number of attitudes positions according to how the step is choreographed.

Attitude (at-ti-tude) A state of mind or a feeling either negative or positive, conscious or unconscious. The important point here is that we do have choice. The way a dancer views her life, herself and how she chooses to behave towards it will determine the outcome.

To go through the day with consciousness and ‘chose’ to have a good attitude can contribute much toward a good day, class or audition. To chose or to succumb to unconscious living and give in to negativity may contribute to a negative outcome.

So, like ‘Ahh-tee-tewd’ of ballet, there are a number of attitudes for you to choose according to how you want to choreograph your life.