Dance Academy

Welcome to the WT Dance Academy Family!

Come Dance With Us!  The WT Dance Academy is committed to dance education, values our community, and invites students of all skill levels to our studio to learn dance.  The Academy is a recreational dance studio that provides a safe and nurturing environment for children and teens ages 3-16 to train in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop! 

Under the guidance of current Dance Majors in the WT Dance Program, our academy students experience their artistic potential while achieving an appreciation for dance and individuality through class instruction, choreography and stage performance. 

Registration begins in person August 5th, 2023 (9am-12pm Mary Moody Hall 154).  Classes begin August 21, 2023!

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DANCE CLASS SCHEDULE AND CLASS DESCRIPTIONS 2023-2024

WT Dance Academy Important Dates

WT Dance Academy Fees and Discounts

WT Dance Academy Talent Photo Release

WT Dance Academy WAIVER-INDEMN-MEDICAL AUTHorization Form

WT Dance Academy Registration form

WT Dance Academy Family Handbook 

Classes are held at West Texas A&M University Mary Moody Northen Hall Dance Studio 154

Campus map

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtamudanceacademy

Instagram: instagram.com/wtamu_danceacademy/

For more information contact Kaleigh De La Cruz, Children's Dance Academy Director or Lorelai Stager, Children's Dance Academy Coordinator.

Email: danceacademy@wtamu.edu
Office: 806-651-2820

Crystal D. Bertrand, WTAMU Dance Program Coordinator/Advisor

Email: cbertrand@wtamu.edu
Office: 806-651-2789

    

Vision Statement of WTAMU Dance Academy

The WTAMU Dance Academy is committed to dance development through a creative, imaginative, and artistic experience while offering classes that enhance and engage in a safe and cultivating learning environment.

Staff Bios

Kaleigh De La Cruz is currently a junior in the West Texas A&M University Dance Program. This is Kaleigh’s second year teaching at Dance Academy and her first year being Children's Dance Academy Director. She was raised in Chicago, IL where she started dancing at the age of three, under Krissie Odegard Geye and Carrie Patterson. Kaleigh trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theater at Dance and Music Academy. At age 6 she started competing at dance competitions such as CRU Dance, Showstopper, World Class Talent Experience, and BellaMoxi Dance Convention. In 2017 she was accepted into The Chicago High School for the Arts where she began training under Ted Seymour, Maan Almodovar, Teanna Zarro, Megan Wright, Tracey Franklin, Brandon Dicriscio, and Zineb Chraibi. From 2018 through 2021 she was an intern with the Trifecta Dance Collective. She wants to go on to professionally dance in a contemporary based company, and eventually open her own studio. Kaleigh is excited to help kids find their love for dance!

Lorelai Stager is a Junior in the West Texas A&M University Dance Program. She grew up in Seguin, Texas and started dancing at the age of 2 at Kathy Marfin’s Dance School. She studied ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre and modern. When she was 9 she started competing with The Leading Edge Dance Company in dance competitions such as Celebrity, Rainbow, Thunderstruck, Talent on Parade and many other competitions while continuing her training at North East School of the Arts High School. Lorelai is thrilled to be back with the academy as Children's Dance Academy Coordinator and can’t wait to work with all the kids another year!!

Amon Fredinand is currently a junior in the West Texas A&M University Dance Program. He was born in Tanzania. He moved in the US in 2008 and has lived in Amarillo Texas ever since. He started dancing his freshman year of high school at Palo Duro High School with Kaylee Morrison. He appeared in WT’s productions, Falling Into Dance, Portraits of Dance, and The SpongeBob Musical. He has worked professionally with TEXAS Outdoor Musical as a swing dancer. This is Amon’s first year with Dance Academy and he is excited to teach and share the love of dance with the kids.

Alexandra McPhillips is currently a Senior in the West Texas A&M Dance Program. I’m addition, she hopes to continue her education by starting her Dance Education degree this fall. Alexandra is from Conroe, TX and started dancing at the age of 14. She trained in drill, jazz, hip hop and pom. Alexandra was also a member of the West Texas Dance Team for two years and the Captain of the WT Spirit Squad for two years. She has taught dance to a variety of ages from 2-18 and loves to choreograph. Alexandra is so excited to get this year started and cannot wait to meet you!