American Theater Dance Workshop: Premier Dance Training in Mineola, NY

American Theater Dance Workshop Introduce

Hello, New Yorkers! Are you or your aspiring performer searching for a dance studio that goes beyond the typical, offering world-class training rooted in kindness, encouragement, and a genuine passion for the performing arts? Look no further than the **American Theater Dance Workshop (ATDW)** in Mineola, NY. This exceptional studio, owned and operated by Broadway veterans Michelle and Jerome Vivona, stands out as a unique and transformative environment for dancers of all ages, from aspiring young professionals to adults looking to hone their skills. ATDW is celebrated for its commitment to developing well-rounded artists, emphasizing not just technical mastery but also confidence, character, and a true love for the stage. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of what makes ATDW a premier destination for dance education in the New York metropolitan area, highlighting its distinct features, diverse programs, and why it's a perfect fit for our local community.

The **American Theater Dance Workshop** is not your average Long Island dance school. As glowing testimonials repeatedly emphasize, ATDW, under the visionary leadership of Michelle and Jerome, offers an experience that is "could not be more different from the typical LI dance school." Unlike many studios that prioritize competition trophies or end-of-year recitals above all else, ATDW places a strong emphasis on comprehensive artistic and technical development, grooming students "like professionals" in an environment where "kindness over competition" is a core value. This philosophy creates a remarkably supportive atmosphere where students are surrounded by "positive & supportive influence" and make "great friends" – a true community feel that extends to parents as well. The studio provides "real experts" as teachers, many of whom are Broadway veterans or current industry professionals, ensuring that students receive authentic, high-caliber training that prepares them for legitimate careers in ballet, Broadway, and beyond. This dedication to holistic development, combined with a rich history (founded in 1982, the former home of the Original Lee Theodore's American Dance Machine), makes ATDW a truly extraordinary artistic home.

Location and Accessibility

The **American Theater Dance Workshop (ATDW)** is conveniently located at **500 Jericho Tpke #1, Mineola, NY 11501, USA**. This strategic location on Jericho Turnpike makes it highly accessible for families across Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and even for those traveling from Queens and other parts of New York City. Mineola is a central and well-connected town in Nassau County.

For those commuting by car, Jericho Turnpike is a major arterial road, providing straightforward access from various directions. ATDW's proximity to major parkways such as the Meadowbrook State Parkway, Northern State Parkway, and the Long Island Expressway (I-495) ensures a relatively smooth and efficient drive from diverse parts of the tri-state area. Ample parking is often available in the vicinity, which is a significant convenience for parents dropping off and picking up students, especially given the multiple classes some students attend.

Public transportation also offers robust options for reaching ATDW. The Mineola Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station is within a reasonable distance, providing a direct link for students and families coming from Manhattan, Queens, and other LIRR stops across Long Island. Additionally, several Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus routes operate along Jericho Turnpike, offering broad local coverage and connections to other bus lines and transit hubs. This excellent network of both road and public transit ensures that ATDW is highly accessible to a wide demographic of aspiring dancers and performers, making it a viable and attractive option for many New York families seeking top-tier performing arts education.

Services Offered

Comprehensive Dance Training: Offering instruction in classical ballet (the backbone of the studio), Broadway Theater Dance, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, preparing students for diverse performance genres.
Musical Theater Programs: Integrated classes in acting, vocal training, and musical theater, aimed at developing "triple threat" performers who can sing, dance, and act.
Professional Grooming and Guidance: Providing training and mentorship from Broadway veterans and current industry professionals to prepare students for professional careers in dance and theater.
Classes for All Ages and Levels: Programs designed for young dancers (ages 2 to 18+), as well as dedicated adult ballet and tap classes, catering to beginners through advanced levels.
Performance Opportunities: Students participate in various productions, including full-scale theater productions (like "Alice in Wonderland" or summer musicals), showcases, and in-studio performances.
Summer Camps and Intensives: Specialized summer programs such as Summer Musical (Kids & Jr.), Summer Dance Intensive, Princess Dance Camp, and Broadway's Rising Talents, offering intensive training and performance experiences.
Audition-Based Productions: Opportunities to audition for and participate in larger-scale theatrical productions (e.g., "Seussical, the Musical"), fostering professionalism.
Support for College and Career Paths: Guidance and preparation for students looking to pursue dance or theater in college or as a professional career.

Features / Highlights

**Broadway Veteran Owners & Teachers**: Michelle and Jerome Vivona, along with their expert faculty (Miss Wendy, Miss Olivia, Miss Allie), bring decades of real-world Broadway experience, offering unparalleled instruction and mentorship.
**"Kindness Over Competition" Philosophy**: A core value that fosters a genuinely positive, supportive, and encouraging environment, where individual growth and artistic passion are prioritized over aggressive competition.
**Holistic Student Development**: Beyond dance technique, the studio focuses on developing confidence, self-motivation, responsibility, respect, and a healthy understanding of one's body, transforming students' lives.
**Professional Grooming & Training**: Students are "groomed like professionals," receiving "artistically and technically challenging instruction" that prepares them for legitimate performing careers, not just recitals.
**Strong Community and Friendships**: The studio cultivates a vibrant "community of dancers and parents" where students make deep connections across age groups, fostering supportive peer relationships.
**Diverse Class Offerings**: A comprehensive curriculum in Ballet, Broadway Theater Dance, Acting, and Voice ensures students can become well-rounded "triple threat" performers.
**State-of-the-Art Facilities**: 6600 square feet of spacious studios equipped with anti-microbial barre surfaces, sprung Marley dance surfaces, pianos, and professional sound systems.
**Rich History**: Founded in 1982, it was the former home to the Original Lee Theodore's American Dance Machine, offering a unique heritage that informs its current "extraordinary culture of support and growth."

Contact Information

Address: 500 Jericho Tpke #1, Mineola, NY 11501, USA

Phone: (516) 248-6420

Mobile Phone: +1 516-248-6420

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For New Yorkers, especially those on Long Island and in surrounding boroughs, the **American Theater Dance Workshop (ATDW)** in Mineola is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination for dance and performing arts education. What truly makes ATDW ideal for our local community is its unique philosophy, which directly addresses common concerns parents have about typical dance schools. Here, the focus is unequivocally on "kindness over competition," ensuring that children learn from "real experts" (Broadway veterans and industry professionals) in an incredibly supportive and nurturing environment. This approach fosters genuine passion, builds profound self-confidence, and encourages positive friendships, extending benefits far beyond dance technique.

The comprehensive curriculum, encompassing classical ballet, Broadway theater dance, acting, and voice, means that students are developed into versatile "triple threat" performers, ready for any stage. Unlike studios solely focused on competitive wins, ATDW prioritizes preparing students for legitimate careers or advanced studies, providing them with invaluable tools and mentorship. The accessibility of its Mineola location, combined with state-of-the-art facilities and a rich history, makes it a convenient and inspiring place for growth. For New York families seeking a dance studio where their child's artistic aspirations are taken seriously, where their well-being is prioritized, and where they can truly "feel like a community," ATDW offers an unparalleled and transformative experience. It's truly a place where artistry thrives and futures are shaped, right here on Long Island.

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American Theater Dance Workshop Location

American Theater Dance Workshop

New York Nassau County Mineola Jericho Turnpike

500 Jericho Tpke #1, Mineola, NY 11501, USA

American Theater Dance Workshop Reviews

My 8 year old daughter attends ATDW and I cannot say enough good things about the studio, the teachers or the owners. ATDW and the owners Michelle and Jerome could not be more different from the typical LI dance school. If you’re looking for a studio where your child can learn from real experts (not just graduated former students), be groomed like professionals, be surrounded with positive & supportive influence and make great friends (both kids and parents!) - this is the place.For a brief background, my daughter started ballet classes at 3 years old at another school. We liked the school but the variation of classes beyond ballet was limited and we felt the most attention was given to competition dancers. If you weren’t on the competition team or being groomed for it, you were not a priority. I’ve since heard from many friends that this is the case across many Long Island dance schools where the focus is on competition or the end of year recital. This is NOT the case at ATDW. This past fall my daughter attended an open house where she quickly fell in love with the studio, enrolled in 4 classes and has never looked back!To say my daughter's experience moving to ATDW has been transformational would be an understatement. Before moving to ATDW, she liked to dance but felt very insecure about her body, being very tall for her age and a bigger build. She was also struggling with some bullies in school and we were dealing with the typical elementary-school afternoon battles over homework, snacks, screens, etc. The changes we’ve seen in my daughter since moving to ATDW go well beyond her dance capabilities.The kindness and encouragement she has experienced from Michelle, Jerome, Miss Wendy, Miss Olivia and Miss Allie have given her a true passion for all things dance and performance. Her passion and love for attending ATDW have given her a shocking level of motivation for an 8 year old. Knowing she needs to leave for ATDW, she is motivated to do her homework right after school and she has a positive, active understanding of how to be healthy and take care of her body so she can feel better dancing. Her sense of self confidence has exploded in ways that have extended well beyond after-school dance – in her reading, her grades, her friendships and in-school activities.Perhaps most importantly, my daughter has met and made friends with kind and wonderful fellow performers/dancers whose parents clearly share the same values we do: kindness over competition, the value and joy of performance, respect, responsibility and confidence. The dancers and families that are part of ATDW feel like a community, particularly for students who take more than one class. Passing each other in the hallways before/after, they make friends with older/younger kids they aren’t even in class with. The older dancers are positive and supportive role models for the younger dancers. The amount of joy they all have seeing each other is so sweet and at points comical… they hug each other like they haven’t seen each other in weeks.ATDW is truly my daughter’s favorite place now. She ended the 22-23 season enrolled in 5 classes and participating in the production of Alice in Wonderland. Looking forward to next season, she’s now asking to add more. She can’t get enough. We are so thankful for this studio and for the community of dancers and parents that Michelle and Jerome have created. Thank you, ATDW!
Jun 23, 2023 · Lindsey Rinaudo
My daughter has had a fantastic experience at ATDW. She is passionate about theater and dance and they offer so many opportunities for her to learn and grow- and meet other students that share her dream of Broadway. Her dance has improved and it’s so refreshing to find a studio that cares about its students and the art- not just dance competition trophies. She has also found that the people here have been nothing but welcoming and supportive. If you are looking for a studio that isn’t just focused on winning, this is the place to go.
Mar 23, 2024 · Karen Flayhart
Deciding to send my girls to American Theatre Dance Workshop is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only are Jerome and Michelle true professionals and masters of their craft, but they are genuinely great people who care about each and every child training at their studio. In the past year, my daughters have learned more technique than they have in the prior 6 years with another studio, and they are having a blast while doing it. There aren’t enough good words I can say. ATDW is a class operation all around.
May 21, 2024 · Alison Ferranti
My daughter has been dancing at ATDW for several years, and loves every minute of the multiple hours she spends there every week. The teachers are extraordinary, with caliber way beyond what I've experienced at other schools in the area, but also are encouraging and supportive. Michelle and Jerome, the owners, foster a wonderful environment that is reinforced by the the older students, who have been so kind and act as role models for my daughter. Summer camp is also amazing and a great way for students to have fun and hone their skills. Adult classes are a great workout for inexperienced and experienced dancers alike. We look forward to being a part of the ATDW community for years to come!
Mar 22, 2022 · Christine Randazzo
We have been a part of the ATDW family for over 15 years and I cannot say strongly enough how grateful we feel to have found this school. The level of professionalism and care exhibited by the owners is extremely high. They are always available, responsive, flexible and eager to do their best for every student. Their reputations and backgrounds on Broadway and in world-renowned ballet companies enable them to bring in the best instructors who approach dance with a seriousness of purpose along with a true love of dance and for their students. They take great care to place students appropriately for their skill level to avoid injury and ensure progress. Our daughters have taken classes up to 10 hours a week and, while learning to perform with grace and skill, have loved every minute. Not only have they developed self-confidence and poise, but they have made close friendships that extend outside of the dance school. The state-of-the-art studio is beautiful, and has been a real haven during Covid because of the owners' extraordinary efforts to keep everyone safe. I give this school my highest recommendation for dancers of all ages and levels. You will be warmly welcomed and thrilled with the talents the remarkable teachers bring out in your children!
Jul 04, 2021 · Barbara Juhel