International Academy of Dance Santa Cruz - Home of Santa Cruz City Ballet

09/19/2026

09/19/2026

What an incredible way to kick off Nutcracker season! We had so much fun watching our dancers bring their energy, artistry, and holiday spirit to this year’s auditions. 💕❄️

And then the real fun begins… Nutcracker 2026, here we come! 🎄🩰✨

09/19/2026

🎄✨ Nutcracker Auditions 2026! ✨🩰

What an incredible way to kick off Nutcracker season! We had so much fun watching our dancers bring their energy, artistry, and holiday spirit to this year’s auditions. 💕❄️

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who auditioned—we’re so excited for the magic we’re going to create together this season!

🎭 Casting will be announced tomorrow, September 19!

And then the real fun begins… Nutcracker 2026, here we come! 🎄🩰✨

09/03/2026

IAD will be closed Saturday, September 5th through Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day Weekend.

There will be no regularly scheduled classes during this time, with the following exception:

Sunday, September 6th
Adult Intermediate Ballet — 10:30 AM–12:00 PM

Our regular class schedule will resume on Tuesday, September 8th.

We hope you have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, and we'll see you back in the studio on Tuesday!

08/26/2026

We had so much fun at our Nutcracker Auditions! 🩰✨🎄❄️

The studio was filled with beautiful dancing, big smiles, and lots of holiday magic. We loved seeing everyone bring their energy and personality to the audition floor, and we’re already so excited to see this year’s Nutcracker come to life!

Learn more about the Santa Cruz Nutcracker Here: https://nutcrackersantacruz.com/

A huge thank you to all of our dancers who auditioned—we can’t wait to get started preparing for the magic on Cabrillo's Crocker Theater on December 19th & 20th!

08/12/2026

✨ Calling All Dancers! ✨
Join us for Nutcracker Auditions on Saturday, August 22nd at the International Academy of Dance!
If you've been having Nutcracker Dreams of exploring the Land of Sweets, this is your chance to bring the holiday magic to life. 🌟

📅 Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
📍 Location: International Academy of Dance (320 Encinal Street)
💃 Open to dancers ages 4+

More information + sign-up here: https://nutcrackersantacruz.com/auditions

Come share your passion, sparkle, and joy of dance with us! Experience the Magic of the Nutcracker!

08/07/2026

Big sister brings her little sister to pre-ballet with Miss Shayla for her first class 💕

These precious moments are the start of a lifetime of dance!

It's not too late to sign up for the fall: https://iadance.com/child-teen-dance/

Dance for JOY! Train for LIFE.

08/04/2026

Is your young dancer interested in trying new dance styles? ✨🕺

This tap and jazz combination class offers the perfect introduction to the rhythms and weight transfers of tap along with the technical precision of jazz.

📅 Wednesdays, 3:15-4:00 PM
📅 Saturdays, 10:00-10:50 AM
🎯 Sign Up Here: https://iadance.com/child-teen-dance/ -mini

Each class will be split into about 20 minutes of tap and 20 minutes of jazz and lots of fun!!! This is the perfect foundation before moving onto level 1 tap or jazz. Bring your 4-7 year old dancer out to try this class either Wednesday at 3:15pm or Saturday at 10am.

07/29/2026

We couldn't be more proud of these dancers for all their hard work at their 5-week program at BalletMet this summer! Amazing job, ladies! 💕✨

07/24/2026

TODAY ONLY: POP-UP COSTUME EXTRAVAGANZA

📅 Friday, July 24 | 12:30–3:30 p.m.
✨ International Academy of Dance
📍 320 Encinal Street, Santa Cruz

We opened our costume storage—and discovered a treasure trove too wonderful to keep hidden!

For three hours only, shop costumes, leotards, tights, dance shoes, accessories, and unexpected theatrical treasures, with proceeds benefiting the IAD Scholarship Fund.

You’ll find:
• Costumes and dancewear in a variety of styles and sizes
• Brand-new tights, leotards, and shoes in limited sizes
• Great finds for the upcoming dance year
• Easy, imaginative Halloween looks
• Dress-up treasures and creative pieces for anything your heart can imagine

Find what you need for the upcoming dance year, create a one-of-a-kind Halloween look without the last-minute stress, refresh the dress-up collection, or discover something wonderfully imaginative.

Many items are one of a kind, and once they are gone, they are gone—so come early for the best selection!

Shop early. Find something magical. Help make dance possible for another student.
Shop, donate, discover something wonderful—and support the IAD Scholarship Fund!