history

Since June 1, 2000, the Academy of International Dance has provided thousands of children ranging from ages 3 to 17  an enriching afterschool dance program that teaches culture diversity. Our founder and Executive Director, Sonia Velazquez-Miskulin, had a vision of building a bridge that would connect the world to inner city children through the performing arts.

Since its inception, the academy has expanded its program in order to provide its students the best multicultural dance education and experience.  It is the only dance school of its kind in Orange County that provides education of the world through dance.

Unlike other similar dance programs, the Academy of International Dance is known for its superb international multilingual dance teachers, unique curriculums, fantastic performances, and educational health and nutrition seminars.  Together we offer our students an outstanding dance education that will develop their socialization skills, self-esteem and discipline, as well as, their health.

MISSION

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Enriching children, youth and teens about cultural diversity through dance, how stay fit and healthy, and improving self esteem.

GOALS

1.  Encouraging students to embrace the similarities and differences between members of the local and global community.

2.  Motivating our community to live healthy lifestyles.

3.  Raising self esteem through performance opportunities.

The outcome of our goals will enable a child to develop their hidden talents, self-esteem, creativity, communication and collaboration skills.

 

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PROGRAM

The Academy of International Dance Program provides children with a multicultural education and experience through the performing arts. This enriching program motivates students to become academic achievers, improves their social behavior skills, and increases their knowledge about health and nutrition. Children are given the opportunity to receive a unique educational experience for future success.

Our program is grassroots in nature, in that it serves families of all social and economic backgrounds.  Our international dance teachers complement the dance component with new terms and phrases in foreign languages correlating to their dance course to further enhance their knowledge and understanding of the art form.  The dedication of our board members, staff, volunteers and collaborators have made it possible for the academy to continue providing its valuable service to the community.

COMPONENTS OF PROGRAM 

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE (Health & Nutrition)

The academy provides free educational health and nutrition seminars, and free Capoeira classes for children and their parents. Families learn the importance of living a healthy life style.  Good health and nutrition helps children learn better and live happier.

Dance ExaminationS (bALLET & CAPOEIRA)

Ballet and capoeira students complete their dance curriculum in order to be placed through the yearly examination and certification program. Once a student passes their exam, the institutes, Cecchetti USA and Capoeira Batuque confers the students with a certificate attesting to the level achieved in ballet and a belt of level through Capoeira Batuque.  Children are taught discipline, team work, self-esteem and focusing skills which in turn gives them confidence and social skills. 

 COVID-19 PROTOCOL

The Academy of International Dance is now open at 100% capacity and at the moment not implementing Covid-19 protocol. Recommends wearing mask if you feel more comfortable and staying home if ill. The following is the protocol that will be implemented:

  • Only 20 students maximum per class.

  • Class Schedule has been modified to accommodate for cleaning after each class.  There will be 15 minutes between each class to allow cleaning of floors, barres, stereo, door-knobs, and light switches.

  • Teachers will be at the entrance to escort students into studio room. Instructor will request that if a student feels ill that she/he be taken home to rest.

  • The wearing of masks is optional for the staff and students.

  • Before entering into the dance room students will be required to spray their shoes with Lysol, sanitize their hands and go to their allocated spot in the studio. Student will then remove their street shoes and place them inside a plastic bag. After they will remove their dance shoes from their other plastic bag and put them on. Lastly, street shoes must be placed inside a plastic bag and in their small dance bag. Student will be asked to sanitize their hands again and proceed to stand on their designated spot.

  • Bathrooms are cleaned throughout operation hours (it is recommended that everyone go to the bathroom at home before arrival).

  • Parents are asked to kindly wait either in their vehicle or at a location near the academy. We will place camera inside dance room for all parents to view from their phone. Instructors will bring students at the entrance of the room once class is finished. Students will be allowed to leave one by one in order not to have a crowd at the entrance. Parents please keep 6 feet from the room when children are exiting.

    Thank you all for your support and understanding.