About E.N.A.

“It is clear that you are so much more than a business, and that you truly love and care for these children.” - Krishna Dalal, Dance with E.N.A. Parent 2016-2024

MISSION STATEMENT
Dance with E.N.A. provides accessible, diverse dance education that unites communities across all backgrounds. Through movement, we foster self-empowerment, nurture holistic wellbeing, and ignite each dancer's recognition of their inherent beauty, strength, and potential.

Photo By Carrin McErlane

VISION STATEMENT
We envision a world where our dancers become community leaders who embody and spread the transformative power of movement. Through our work, we're creating communities where all backgrounds are celebrated, where artistic expression flourishes, and where individuals live boldly in their authentic joy.

VALUES
Community · We celebrate diversity, unite through shared movement, and actively contribute to the communities that nurture us. Dance becomes our common language, bridging cultures and creating connections that extend beyond the studio walls.
Holistic Wellbeing · We recognize dance as essential nourishment for both body and mind. Our approach integrates physical technique with emotional expression, fostering resilience, joy, and balance that radiates from individual dancers into their families and communities.
Empowerment · We create spaces where each person discovers their unique voice through movement. By encouraging authentic expression and creative risk-taking, we help dancers of all ages transform personal stories into powerful statements that inspire others.
Artistic Inclusivity · We believe everyone deserves access to quality dance education. By embracing dancers across all demographics, learning styles, and aspirations, we cultivate both future professional artists and community leaders who understand the transformative power of the arts.

HISTORY

E.N.A.’s Journey: From Vision to Movement - Our Founding Story
Elite Naach Academy (E.N.A.) was born in 2015 from a vision. Founder Enakshi Vyas, a South Asian dancer and educator, recognized a critical gap in Marin County's cultural landscape: the absence of dance education that truly reflected our community's rich multicultural fabric. Traditional programs lacked inclusive curricula, holistic approaches to movement, structured mentorship, and meaningful opportunities for underrepresented communities to experience the transformative power of dance.

What began as a dream for more equitable arts access has blossomed into a vibrant nonprofit serving over 150 dancers per session across all ages and backgrounds. We invite you to explore our growth journey:

OUR GROWTH JOURNEY

2015-2017: Planting Seeds
Our first classes brought together diverse dance forms for our youngest and oldest dancers. With determination and community support, we taught toddler and adult classes in Ballet, Bollywood, and Tap.

Our team borrowed and rented spaces throughout Marin County, building our foundation one class at a time.

Our first iteration of Bollywood Boot Camp, Novato

2018-2019: Putting Down Roots
We expanded our reach through vital partnerships with local schools and community centers, hosting workshops in a variety of styles to spread the word.

A significant milestone came in 2019 when we achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, opening new doors for sustainable growth and programming.

Hall Middle School Workshop, Larkspur

We’ve been with E.N.A. from the early days — my daughter started in Bollywood 1 and now she’s teaching there. It’s been such a joy watching the studio grow over the years…What started as a small dance studio has grown into a beautiful dance community. I’m so grateful my daughter has been part of the journey! - Deepa Ramchandran, Dance with E.N.A. Parent since 2017

Step with E.N.A. for Mental Health - a virtual workshop to raise funds for Buckelew Programs, Marin County

2020-2021: Pivoting and Evolving
When the world changed, so did we. We developed innovative virtual programming that unexpectedly expanded our reach beyond geographic boundaries. Our team offered relief in the form of financial donations, free workshops, and virtual collaborations.

During this time, we formalized our scholarship program to ensure socioeconomic barriers would never prevent access to quality dance education. We launched our Step Together community action initiative, were recognized as an Arts Equity Champion, and joined the Teaching Artist Guild.

2021 Fall Recital
Photo by Leo Moring

2021-2023: Creating Our Home
With joy and gratitude, we transitioned back to in-person instruction while maintaining digital accessibility options. A dream was realized when we established our permanent studio space at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae - creating a dedicated home for our growing community. Our bi-annual showcase programming expanded dramatically, growing from one show per session to three shows per session in just one year.

2024-Present:
Expanding Our Vision!
Today, we're reimagining treasured stories through themed productions that incorporate every genre of dance we offer, furthering our mission of inclusivity. Our community connections continue to deepen through programming in schools throughout the region, including Twin Cities Co-op Preschool, Neil Cummins Elementary, The Cove School, and Marin School of the Arts.

“Teaching at E.N.A. isn't just a job—it's being part of a movement that's changing how our community experiences dance. We are breaking down barriers between traditions and between people." - Enakshi Vyas, Artistic Director & Founder

OUR IMPACT
Throughout this journey, E.N.A. has maintained our foundational commitment to making dance education a tool for both personal and community transformation. Our performance ensemble has represented the diverse cultural heritage of the Bay Area on stages across North America, Europe, and India—showcasing the artistic excellence that emerges when diverse traditions and perspectives are valued equally. Today, E.N.A. stands as a testament to the power of culturally responsive arts education, having grown from a single-teacher initiative to a multi-faceted organization with a professional teaching staff representing various dance traditions and cultural backgrounds.

JOIN OUR MOVEMENT
Whether you're a beginner taking your first dance steps or an experienced dancer looking to expand your horizons, there's a place for you in our community. Through movement, we foster self-empowerment, nurture holistic wellbeing, and ignite each dancer's recognition of their inherent strength, beauty, and love.