Iowa Dance Collective (IDC) has grown enormously over the last few years. Created by owner and director Tyler Malone to support students’ full development as artists, movers, and well-rounded human beings, IDC relocated in 2025 to an expansive, state-of-the-art facility located a few blocks north of the Fairfield square. As one of the only classical dance schools in Iowa, IDC is dedicated to the study of dance through a conservatory model of training rooted in classical ballet and modern dance. The school offers first-rate classes across a number of genres, including ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, jazz, and performance skills, taught by gifted instructors trained at Juilliard and other prestigious organizations.
An Elegant New Space
To design IDC’s beautiful new home, Malone employed his extensive experience as a professional dancer and educator in remodeling a former office building near the railroad tracks on Court Street, working with Ian Montgomery’s Honest Builders to realize his vision.
The new space is beautifully organized to provide the best possible classroom experience in a welcoming environment. Built to code for educational facilities, everything at the new venue has been designed with intentionality, yet IDC still feels cozy, artistic, and fun. “I don’t want it to feel sterile,” says Malone. “I want it to feel like home.”
IDC now includes three professional studios with sprung floors and changing rooms, as well as a dedicated space for creating and storing costumes, a quiet study space, and an inviting front lounge. The largest studio also has a sleek spiral staircase to a balcony above that instructors and guests can use to view performances.
The front lounge features comfortable chairs and circular tables, while flatscreen TVs list class schedules and play a selection of dance choreography videos. Every studio has its own iPad station to use for class soundtracks, and separate playlists can be created for specific classes or all spaces can play the same music for an event.
IDC Board President Eli Lieb worked closely with Malone to meticulously curate the spaces. The walls display vintage posters featuring cultural icons such as Keith Haring and Mikhail Baryshnikov, along with artwork by Fairfield-based artist Jim Shrosbree and black-and-white photos of IDC dancers and performances. Malone says this strategic placement helps IDC students understand that they are part of the greater world of arts and culture. “There’s not a separation between dance history and what’s happening now,” he says. “When they recognize themselves amongst all of the vintage photographs and posters, they feel like they’re in the lineup of what’s going on.”
Winning Respect
Since its founding, IDC has become one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing centers for classical dance education, offering classes for students ranging from 18 months to 18 years. Classes have multiple levels ranging from beginner to advanced, so there is an appropriate class for any skill level.
Educational offerings have also expanded. In addition to a comprehensive slate of evening classes, IDC has worked with area schools to offer a daytime academic dance school for middle and high school students. Serious students now have the option to join the pre-professional Malone Dance Theater, and IDC offers summer intensives that draw dancers from all over the nation.
IDC’s commitment and professionalism have been garnering attention in the dance world. Chosen as an official educational partner for the Isadora 150, a nationwide celebration of dance giant Isadora Duncan’s 150th birthday, IDC is featured in its commemorative documentary.
To promote the school and recruit students, Malone travels to dance fairs and conferences throughout the year. At one of these recent events, IDC was placed right next to the renowned arts institution Interlochen. “We are being poised next to all of these very well-known schools, and they all know us now, too,” Lieb says.
Malone created the three-week Summer Intensive and the IDC dance school to provide more accessible versions of the high-caliber programs available in bigger cities. The newly launched IDC School is a rigorous conservatory dance program for grades 6 through 12, integrating high-level dance training with academics through partnerships with Maharishi School and the Fairfield Community School District. Out-of-town high school students can board at Maharishi School dormitories. “We do everything any ballet school does,” says Malone. “We just do it in Iowa.”
This year’s Summer Intensive brought in over 20 national and international boarding students. “They came here and loved it—not just IDC, they loved Fairfield.” Malone says that towards the end of summer session, one family enjoyed Fairfield so much that they decided to look at local real estate. “Everybody has commented on how community- and family-based IDC feels,” Lieb says. “That really stands out to them. They value coming here. And as somebody who grew up in Fairfield and has lived here for a long time, it’s nice seeing the eyes turn on Fairfield as a place where their kids thrive and grow.”
Malone and Lieb are proud to have created a space that nurtures artistic growth and gives people the opportunity to connect through a shared love of dance. IDC is providing a melting pot of sorts—everyone is welcome, and students come from a variety of backgrounds. “It’s nice to see everybody interacting and realizing that we are all similar,” says Leib. “That’s important.” Malone adds,“We welcome anybody and everybody. IDC is a non-judgmental space.”
Student Scholarships
In order to ensure that a lack of financial resources never gets in the way of kids taking classes, IDC started the nonprofit Iowa Dance Collective Foundation, which helps fund scholarships and supports school operating costs not covered by tuition. Over the past two years, IDC has given out over $45,000 worth of scholarships. “We all know how important the arts are in your development, ” Lieb says.
To further arts education for all ages, last year IDC officially launched the Community Time Program, funded by their nonprofit, which offers free classes for children ages 18 months to 4 years.
Another new program offered at no additional cost is the Malone Dance Theater (MDT), open to junior and senior division students by invitation. Created for students who think professional dancing might be in their future, it offers an age-appropriate taste of how a dance company is run. The MDT currently has about 20 students in both the trainee and company divisions. MDT members also compete at classical ballet competitions and audition for other prestigious dance school programs.
IDC Is For Everyone
Malone wants students to understand that their dance education is more than just the dance skills they learn in classes. He maintains that success as a dancer requires dedication, networking, and the ability to work with a group. “Life lessons are so important,” he says. “Anybody who’s had a career in the arts understands that talent just gets you in the door. Be a good person. Everybody gravitates towards good people—those are the ones that further their careers.”
While the school and MDT provide the skills and connections needed to pursue dancing professionally, Malone’s focus is always on the joy of dance, regardless of ability or professional trajectory. “IDC is not this elite dance school,” he says. “Truly anybody at any skill level at any age can come here and they will thrive. They will not feel behind. They will just grow. Sure, we are training very high-skilled classical ballet dancers. But that doesn’t mean that you have to be them. You can find your place.”
For more information, visit IDC.