Marina Croft is a dedicated dancer, educator, and the founder of the Dance Academy of Mexico (DAOM) in Milwaukee, WI. Since establishing the academy in 2010, she has been committed to fostering a love for dance. As the Administrator, Marina oversees all aspects of the business: organizing competitions, coordinating travel for staff and students, managing office operations, and leading community outreach initiatives. DAOM serves over 100 students annually, offering a variety of dance styles and empowering students through performance opportunities and cultural enrichment programs. A passionate advocate for arts education, Marina established a cultural outreach program that integrates dance with academic learning, helping children gain global perspectives. She has led students on international trips, including festivals in Japan (2017), Canada (2018), and the Czech Republic (2024), as well as annual visits to Disney World and Universal Studios since 2012. Through her work, Marina aims to nurture not only the technical skills of dancers but also their personal growth, cultural awareness, and community engagement. Marina Croft is also the driving force behind the Dance Academy of Mexico, which she founded in 2010 to teach and preserve traditional Aztec and Mexican folklórico dances in the Midwest. After moving from Mexico to Wisconsin in 1999, she noticed a lack of opportunities to continue dancing folklórico. Despite skepticism from others when she shared her goal of starting a dance academy, she persevered, and the academy has since flourished. Marina began dancing at the age of five, and folklórico has been integral to her identity ever since. She teaches dances from various Mexican regions, including Jalisco (Son de la Negra), Veracruz (Spanish-influenced port styles), Northern Mexico (blending Polka-influenced norteña styles), and Aztec pre-Hispanic dances, often opening performances to honor indigenous heritage. In addition to her artistic role, Marina is also a practicing attorney, skillfully managing both her legal and artistic responsibilities. She takes pride in watching her students grow from age five into accomplished performers in college, finding their personal development “priceless,” and noting how dance can transform lives. Under her leadership, DAOM is part of CIOFF (UNESCO's International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts), facilitating international cultural exchange. The academy has performed at a wide range of events, including local mainstays like Mexican Fiesta, national gatherings such as Indian Summer and the International Holiday Folk Fair, theme park stages at Disney World and Universal Studios, and international festivals in Japan, Canada, and the Czech Republic (2024). Marina incorporates geography, history, and cultural context into her dance instruction, blending steps with storytelling. She welcomes students from all backgrounds, believing that dance fosters identity, pride, and deeper cultural understanding.