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.
Rachel DelBene
Teacher
Rachel DelBene graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance with a Business Cognate. She spent 15 years of her training here at IRBD, 9 of which were on their competitive team. Rachel has also worked in a multitude of shows and companies, including Cleveland Tap Repertory (now known as RhythmiCLE Sound) and Rubber City Theatre. She is currently a part of Inlet Dance Theatre, a modern dance company in Cleveland that specializes in Hawkins and Non-traditional Partnering Techniques.
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!
Isabella Deikun
Teacher
Isabella currently attends The University of Akron where she is majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology. She has been a part of IRBD’s award-winning competition team for 10 out of the 12 years she's been dancing. She has participated in many dance conventions and master classes with IRBD. Highlights from her dancing career include winning 1st place in the big show at Nexstar Nationals in 2019, 2021, and 2023. She has worked as a student assistant for younger dancers here at IRBD all throughout high school and is excited to begin teaching here at IRBD!
Brooke Evans
Teacher
Brooke started taking dance classes at the age of 2, but didn’t start dancing with IRBD until the age of 5—it was at this dance studio where she found her love for dance. Growing up, she has had the opportunity to study select styles of dance that range from ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hiphop, and tap. She was a member of the award-winning competition team for 10 years, a member of the Woodridge High School dance team for all 4 years of high school, and a recipient of the prestigious $20,000 AMDA College scholarship. Currently Brooke is attending the University of Akron to receive her Bachelor's Degree in both Marketing and Sales, and she’s also a proud member of their football, basketball, and competitive Dance Team.
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 has a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Kent State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Akron. 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. During the day Abby works as a kindergarten intervention specialist with Springfield Local Schools.
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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 Cum Laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Family Life Education.
Brady Rowan
Guest Teacher & Choreographer
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.