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Elisabeth Ihde Cavallaro
Owner and Director
Elisabeth received her training from the Akron Dance Institute. She was a scholarship recipient with the Joffrey Ballet, The Rock School, and the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Throughout high school, she performed many leading roles with the Akron University’s Repertory Dance Company. Elisabeth has danced professionally with the Ohio Dance Theater, performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet, and interned with the Ohio Ballet. She has been teaching dance throughout Northeast Ohio for over 20 years and loves working with children of all ages and abilities. She is a nationally recognized choreographer and her routines have received numerous accolades and high score placements from competitions and conventions at both the regional and national level. Her goal as a teacher is to instill in her students a genuine passion and enthusiasm for the performing arts.
Coming
Soon!
April Clark
Office Receptionist
April Clark is a Junior at Union Institute and University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in social work with a concentration in counseling. She danced at several different studios and conventions throughout her childhood, studying from a number of different teachers. She has studied tap, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, as well as dancing competitively for tap. She also enjoyed gymnastics and baton. April loves working with children and is excited to join the IRBD family as our new receptionist!
Rachel Brownlee
Teacher
Rachel Brownlee is a Junior at the University of Akron pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in dance with a Business Cognate. She has spent 15 years of her training here at IRBD, 9 of which were on their competitive team. Throughout high school and college Rachel has performed with Cleveland Tap Repertory, a local tap dance company. With this group, she has had the opportunity to perform in professional shows such as “Motor City Soles", and this year’s “Motown on Tap” in Detroit, MI, as well as perform in their first music video “Human.” Outside of these two companies, her training and performances include: Motor City Tap Fest, Wing It Tap Intensive, a 4-day Commercial Dance course with Maud Arnold, and a Residency with Gregg Russell in Detroit, MI. (2016-present) Fuzion Dance Camp in Chicago, IL. (2017) and Ballet Magnificat! Summer Intensive in Jackson, MS. (July, 2021)
Brianna Habel
Teacher
Brianna began her training at Nan Klinger’s Excellence in Dance Studio. She was a member of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, now known as Ballet Excel Ohio. She has danced with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Nevada Ballet Theatre. She also trained with the American Ballet Theatre's summer intensive. Brianna earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, where she was invited to be a member of the Cincinnati Ballet. She has also taught academy classes with Cincinnati Ballet. Brianna is currently dancing professionally in Ohio.
Abigail Rea
Teacher
Abby graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Akron with a Bachelor's degree in English. She has studied dance recreationally and competitively in several different styles since a young age (primarily at IRBD!) and has continued her tap education through college and after graduation. Abby has taken class from a wide range of tappers including Savion Glover, Avi Miller & Ofer Ben, Gregg Russell, Bril Barrett, Jared Grimes, and Sarah Savelli. Most recently Abby performed in Megan McBride Moore's repertory piece in the 2017 Motor City Soles. Abby is currently pursuing a dual Master's Degree & Licensure in Special Education (K-5) at Kent State University.
Brady Rowan
Teacher
Brady grew up as a competitive dancer for many years, five of which were at IRBD. As a part of the award-winning IRBD Competition team, he has participated in many conventions where he has won scholarship money, apprenticeship opportunities, as well as the prestigious $20,000 AMDA College scholarship. Brady was named the 2019 Nexstar Advanced Senior Solo National Champion out of 115 soloists. He has toured as an assistant with the dance convention Titans of Dance. Brady currently trains with LA-based contemporary dance company MusEffect. Most recently he performed with MusEffect in two PSA dance videos entitled "Where Is The Love?" and "I'm Tired". He currently travels and choreographs at various dance studios in the area.
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Lexa Saia
Teacher / Billing Manager
Lexa danced at IRBD for 13 years, from the age of 5 to 18. She was a part of the award-winning Competition Team for 6 years. She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop. She was a member of the Woodridge High School Varsity Dance Team for 4 years. In addition to IRBD, Lexa has been the Head Coach of the Woodridge High School Dance Team since 2017. She graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Family Life Education.