ABOUT US

The En Croix Dance Academy is a Christ-centered and faith based academy that will not only develop a dancer’s skills and talents in an atmosphere that is glorifying to God, but will also encourage students to use the gifts that God has given them to bless others. It is our hope that through a team based atmosphere with studio style training, that any child who experiences our program will gain knowledge of proper dance techniques and styles along with self-esteem, confidence, and character. In addition, our students will only grow stronger in their faith through fellowship with their teammates and develop life-long friendships. 


​Owned and operated in Odessa, Texas by Kristin Carter and Kayla Kruse, the En Croix Dance Academy is opening their doors to the community with the vision of bringing kids closer to God through the gift of dance. Both owners have such a love and passion for teaching dance and feel called by God to share this gift with others for his glory. It is their vision to maintain the highest standard of excellence in dance; artistically, technically, spiritually and morally with every student they have the privilege of teaching. Above all, we exist to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, who created us for his glory and blesses us daily with our talents, movement, and self-expression.

What Makes Us Special

  • Every practice/class will begin or end with prayer to remind us all to keep our focus on dancing for God’s glory! We will also have a bible verse for each month that dancers will be encouraged to learn!


  • Dancers will be taught to “Shine God’s Light” every day through how they treat others and make them feel special. This will be practiced in all classes through positive feedback and compliments to one another.


  • Our classes/practices will be structured with a scheduled curriculum that all teachers will follow to ensure students are being taught to their highest level of potential. Classes will be fun and exciting but will also teach proper technique and style within the appropriate class.


  • It is our belief that students can reach higher levels of learning if encouraged properly and given the opportunity to challenge themselves through their classes. We will provide this high level of learning in all classes/practices so that students have the opportunity to grow above their potential.


  • Teachers will make every effort to have a firm, yet loving atmosphere in all classes. 


  • We strive to have high expectations for our dancers not only in developing abilities, working hard to achieve goals, and giving a full effort at all times, but also when it comes to character, following rules, and respecting teachers and teammates. 


  • Our lead teachers are highly qualified; They are either certified dance teachers in the state of Texas, hold a college dance degree, or has 10 or more years of dance training. 


  • We have three teams, a senior company, and numerous recreational classes where each child will be a priority and will be given the same opportunities to learn. Our hope is that students will encourage one another and grow their talents together as a team through positive reinforcement.


  • Through our program, dancers will be taught the importance of team. We feel as they progress through life, understanding a team atmosphere is key to being successful in their future. 


  • Christian music will be used as well as appropriate main-stream music during classes, for recital dances and competition dances. Also, movement will be age appropriate yet fun and entertaining. 


  • Age appropriate and moderate costumes will be chosen for our teams.


  • Communication is very important as we feel our role in our dancers’ lives is to partner with their parents to help them be successful in our classes and ensuring that growth is taking place.  We will openly communicate with parents in a loving way and encourage them to do the same. 


Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question? We’re here to help.

  • How do I pronounce "En Croix" and what does it mean?

    En Croix, pronounced "On Kwah" means in the shape of a cross or on the cross.

  • How much does the program cost?

    Please contact us for details as costs vary by team.

  • Who can be apart of the En Croix Dance Academy?

    ​Ages Kinder to 9th grade can be a member of our teams and ages 3 and and up can be in our recreational classes.  Our vision is to provide training to kids throughout the Odessa / Midland area.  

  • When will my child have class/practice?

    Please contact us for details on class scheduling.

  • Will my child ever have additional practices outside of her regular practice/class times?

    Yes!  Team members only will have additional practices for choreography to set routines and as we get closer to competition.  This will happen on the weekends so we will need dancers to be flexible with their schedule. We will be sure to give plenty of notice to these extra practices if they are necessary.

  • When will the year start and end?

    ​Teams will officially begin the year in August and our recreational classes will begin in September.  We will end the year after our recital in May.  

  • What styles of dance do you offer?

    ​We offer the following:

    Ballet

    Tap

    Jazz

    Hip-Hop

    Lyrical/Contemporary

    Drill Prep

    Leaps & Turns

    Stretch/Acro

    Pointe Prep & Pointe

    ​Creative Dance

  • When will I see my child dance? Can I watch class?

    You will have the opportunity to see your child in action by coming to watch them take class.  This will happen at various times throughout the year of which you will be notified the specific date, otherwise classes/practices are closed to parents.  We will also have a winter showcase in which your dancers’ team will showcase what they have been learning in class.  At the end of the year, sometime in May, we will have an end of year recital.  Our recital will be in town and as stress free as possible for the parents so that you can relax and enjoy the show.  There may also be opportunities for local performances and appearances throughout the year.

  • Will there be a recital?

    Yes!  We will have a recital showcasing the teams and performance classes at the end of the year.  The recital will be in town sometime during the month of May.

  • Will we go to dance convention? What will I have to pay?

    Teams only will attend at least one convention this year, with the second one being optional.   


    Dancers will be responsible for paying entry fees to the convention and parents will be responsible for traveling their dancer to the convention, paying for lodging, food, etc. while there.  When we attend convention and compete, then costs will be higher to include competition fees and costuming.  For estimates of these costs, please contact us.

  • Will we go to competition? What will I have to pay?

    ​We are excited that our teams will be competing this year. 

       

    There will be expenses associated with competing.  It will be necessary for us to purchase costumes specific to the routines that we take and entry fees for the competition.  Parents will be responsible for traveling their dancer to the competition and lodging, food, etc. while there. These expenses are determinate of entry fees, costs of costumes, hotel choice, where you choose to eat, etc.   For estimates of these costs, please contact us. 

  • Will you offer fundraisers and do we have to participate?

    ​We will try to offer fundraisers that can help with costume, convention, and competition fees.  This will be completely optional and only offered if we will be attending conventions or competitions.

  • Do we have to purchase costumes?

    Teams and performance classes will purchase costumes for each class/dance they are in.  Costumes will run anywhere from $65 - $85 each.   

  • What individual things are offered to my child?

    ​Dancers in our program will have the opportunity to take private lessons with our staff for additional growth outside of class.  


    You as a parent can also help them be successful through practice at home.  Encourage your dancer to work on routines learned in class, stretching daily, and having fun dancing to music and making up their own choreography!

  • What will my child need to wear? What supplies does she need?

    Dancers will need to dress appropriately for the style of class.  Normal attire for most classes will be dance tights with bike shorts and a tight fitting top.  Bike shorts may be worn without tights if they are 3 ½ inch in-seam or longer.  No baggy t-shirts or tanks may be worn and for our older dancers, sports bras must be worn under tank tops.  For hip-hop, all dancers can wear baggy clothes such as jogger pants or leggings and baggy tops. No black sole shoes can be worn on our dance floors.


    Dancers will also need to have appropriate shoes for each class. You can purchase these at the time of registration.

  • What if I have a concern?

    ​It is very important to us that we have good communication with all parents.  If you have a question or concern, please speak with us so that together we can keep this a positive, enjoyable experience for everyone

  • What if we miss a practice or class?

    ​We highly encourage that dancers do not miss class as it can be easy to get behind.  Your child may feel discouraged that they did not learn what their team or class learned that day.  However, if it is absolutely necessary that they miss, a dancer can schedule a private lesson to catch back up on the material they missed at that practice/class. There are no make-ups or refunds for missed classes. 

  • Will being a part of this program help my child to make their high school dance team?

    We cannot assure that the training received from our program will guarantee a spot on a high school dance team.  However, we will work our hardest to provide our dancers will the knowledge and training to help them be more successful at any dance opportunity outside of the program.


    This program is not meant to only cater to students that will be attending Permian High.  Those dancers that choose to be a part of our program and wish to continue on with their high school dance team, must try-out at the high school that is associated with their personal home address.

  • Is En Croix Dance Academy a part of Permian High School?

    No. En Croix Dance Academy is not affiliated with Permian High School.

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