Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Crosier.
Hi Denise, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
About Southwest Dance Company
Southwest Dance Theatre was founded in 1982 by Candy Lish Fowler in St. George, Utah. Her vision created a place where children could experience the joy, discipline, and artistry of dance in a nurturing environment. “Our dancers know … that they are loved … that they are important … that they have their own statement, their own music, their own dance waiting to be created. Southwest Dance Theatre is a lab for young, inventive minds. We are the keepers of innocence, the makers of dreams.” Candy Fowler, founder
My family’s story with the studio began many years later. My two oldest daughters enrolled in 2000, and my younger daughters followed in 2006 and 2009. For 13 years I was a dance parent, sitting in the audience, volunteering backstage, and watching firsthand the confidence and growth this studio gave my children.
In 2013, I learned the second owner was planning to move and hoped to sell the studio. After talking with my husband, we made the life-changing decision to purchase it. My oldest daughter had just graduated, and I still had three dancing. With a lifetime of business experience and a deep love for what the studio meant to families like mine, I knew I could lead it with precision, care, and respect for its history.
Although I am not a dancer myself, I am passionate about providing children with the very best dance education and experience. When we took ownership, we renamed the studio Southwest Dance Company while continuing the tradition of excellence that began in 1982.
Our Artistic Director is Katie Fowler Smith, Candy’s daughter. She is joined by a gifted faculty of ten teachers—most of them Southwest Dance alumni—including two of my daughters, carrying the studio’s legacy forward into the next generation. I set a goal to reach full enrollment with a waiting list within five years, and we proudly accomplished it.
What truly makes Southwest Dance Company unique is our commitment to being a children’s creative dance studio. We teach dancers ages 3–18. We do not focus on competitions or constant performances. Instead, we believe children should learn how to dance—building strong technique, artistry, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.
Each spring, we present a fully produced dance concert, crafted as a narrated dance play. Whether inspired by a children’s book, poetry, a fairy tale, or an original story, every class dance is woven into the storyline, helping each child understand that they are part of something meaningful. Our senior dancers are featured in the spotlight, with the story built around them as the stars of the show. We perform three nights in a row, and every dancer has the opportunity to perform each evening. With our artistic director, Katie Smith, guiding every detail, each dance concert is a magical experience—and truly the best in our community.
Families also value our commitment to modest costumes, age-appropriate movement, and beautiful music. Parents never need to worry about what their children will wear, what they will hear, or whether choreography is suitable for their age.
The greatest measure of our success is the loyalty of our families. Year after year, a high percentage of our dancers return, and many new students come from referrals. We are grateful for the trust parents place in us and for the opportunity to teach their children.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has truly been a smooth road. The studio was well established before I purchased it, and I’m very organized by nature, so we often say we’re a well-oiled machine. When challenges do arise, I’m fortunate to have an incredible faculty who collaborate on ideas and help us stay flexible and keep moving forward. Even with things running well, I’m always learning and making small adjustments to make the studio even better.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have worked in bookkeeping and financial organization for small businesses. Over the years I’ve kept the books for several companies, and some of my most influential experience came from my time as the office manager at Valor Hall in St. George. In that role I was involved in everything from the daily operational details and payroll that keep an organization moving forward.
I have specialized in helping business owners truly understand their numbers. Clean, accurate books are important, but what I love most is providing clarity and peace of mind so owners can make confident decisions and focus on growing their businesses.
Entrepreneurship has always been part of my life. My father was an entrepreneur, and my husband runs his own company, so I’ve had a front-row seat to both the opportunities and the pressures that come with owning a business. I think that perspective helps me serve my clients with empathy and practicality.
What I’m most proud of is being someone my clientele can trust. They know I genuinely care about their success, that I’ll be thorough, and that I treat them the way I would want my own family treated. What sets me apart isn’t just my experience, but my understanding of the families who are part of our dance studio community.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be to keep your business simple and goal-focused. Avoid growing so quickly that it becomes difficult to manage. Stay organized, communicate regularly, and nurture strong relationships with your clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southwestdancecompany.com/
- Instagram: swdancecompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swdancecompany
