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 fellow 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 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 performances. 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 children 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! read more

American Theater Dance Workshop - Cast of Alice in Wonderland 2023 - Dance Studios Near Me - Mineola, New York

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My daughter has attended American Theater Dance since she was 3 and I have been beyond impressed with the instruction and her growth as a performer. Michelle and Jerome have created a wonderful environment for young dancers and I couldn't be happier to have my daughter at the studio. They also do top notch productions for kids! Additionally, my 3 year old also just completed a year in the tiny dancers program and the teacher was AMAZING at helping us to get her to feel comfortable dancing on her own. Highly recommended! read more

There is SO much I could say about ATDW. First of all, it is an AMAZING place. Michelle and Jerome, the owners, foster a wonderful dance family. I am in the Jr Theater Dance Company at ATDW and it is the best thing that could've happened to me this year. I am getting amazing corrections, like I always have in regular classes but plus more. They also have a Big Sister program where they pair a Sr Company member with a Jr Company member as a mentor and my Big is SO nice and I am so excited to be a member of the Jr Company! I am overall so grateful for Michelle and Jerome for giving me the most amazing experience at ATDW during the 6 hours I am there a week. I am also so grateful for Allie and Ashley, for being my teachers for the Jr Company and my many friends who are all in the Jr Company as well. Overall, if you are looking for a dance studio where you will get the proper technique and helpful corrections, as well as many new friends and fun in class, look no farther. ATDW is here for you! read more

The best theater dance/theater studio on Long Island. Excellent and highly knowledgeable teachers in all areas of dance and acting, and is owned by the most loving and caring studio owners, Michelle and Jerome. I cannot recommend this studio enough to all musical theatre performers! read more

American Theater Dance Workshop is like no other studio. The studio owners Michelle and Jerome Vivona are so compassionate to all their dancers. The camaraderie throughout the studio and all of the students is incredible. The Vivonas make sure to keep all of their dancers accepting and supportive of their fellow dancers. I will never need to look for another studio as I have found a studio that is more of a second home. read more

I have called this dance studio at least 5 times over the past week. I have left voicemails as well as emailed them. I never received any type of response. They do not know anything about me or my child except for one thing which is evident from my name (email and caller id), that I am a person of color. It absolutely disgusts me that people like this still exist and businesses are allowed to operate like this. I called Garden City Dance Studio and not only did they pick up on the first call, but they welcomed us with open arms. If you are a person of color or descendants of immigrant families please do not give this place your hard earned money. read more

I was with my twins a the Mineola Street fair. We went over to their booth asking more about the place and the price. No one stood up, and greeted us. The guy said my wife and himself were on Broadway, who ran the place. The gentleman said, It doesn't matter about the price, it about the teaching and teachers." Turned me right off. read more

I am an adult beginner dancer, and I am impressed with how welcoming and kind both the owners and the teachers are. Even though I have no experience as a dancer, the teachers adjust and care about each dancer in the class. I can see for myself how attentive they are and I look forward to bringing my children here to learn to dance. read more

I studied here from the time I was 7 until I was 18 and there's a reason I stuck around for so long. The Directors and Instructors truly care about their dancers and wish to see them grow and thrive. I was so pleased to hear of the change in ownership as I had studied under the current Artistic Directors myself and they are the absolute best that there is. The accomplishments of current and former ATDW students are a testament to the quality of the instruction at the studio, and the quality of the program has never been better. read more

Unfortunately, I would have to agree with W.M. and Ms. Christina D. I feel as though the owners are consistently involved with insignificant matters (namely, begging people to reevaluate their non-five star rating on various sites). Additionally, I find it quite disheartening that American Theater's concern is being placed more on how much the parents are willing to pay rather than what they are providing to the dancers. It wasn't always like this, though. Back when a family member of mine started at American Theater (we have obviously moved onto a better, more embracing company since then), the theater company was very kind. They offered their help as much as possible and ran their company with the utmost respect. Then, they switched owners. That's when the downfall of American Theater Dance Workshop began. I also would like to address this "state of the art studio" that was referred to in another review. It seemed quite questionable why this change was made. I always thought that ATDW was a place for the community, hence its location in the Herricks Community Center. Adversely, when you relocated to your new studio on Jericho, I felt as though that community-based nostalgia was lost. What a shame it is that a once-notable company would be in such shambles. I think pricing would be acceptable if the teachers were truly that personable. Meanwhile, this is simple not the case for ATDW's staff. It's fairly obvious that the dance instructors are notified of which dancer's parents paid the most, and are treated accordingly. If you aren't willing to pay easily over a few thousand dollars, you could forget moving onto the next level and being treated with respect by the teachers. I have reached out to the center numerous times to no avail. It's quite saddening that my only option has been to move on. I've had many friends who have done the same-if only I had made the choice sooner. This, too, is my first review. The fact that I made an account to share my regret in being involved with this dance company is a testament to how strongly I disagree with their practices. read more

This is my very first review but feel the need to share my thoughts with fellow dancers. This place is no longer a prestigious dance studio it once was years ago, it is now a place to host "princess parties." Dancers are no longer judged based on merit but rather how much tuition they are paying. More classes = more money they make. My daughter has been attending for MANY years now and to my dismay, the owners do not even know her name. It's no wonder her classmates over the last two years have moved on to other studios, namely in the Herricks community center and Syosset. The owner is aloof and easily annoyed if you have a question. If there is a problem with a teacher, good luck, she will refer you right back to her. They BEG everyone to vote them as #1 in Long Island but they are far from it. I should have follow suit and left years ago. If you have a young dancer, I suggest you try elsewhere. The secretary is no better, a fellow dance mom, she refuses to follow up and often makes mistakes. You can call 5x and she refuses to return your call. I hope this review helps someone in making their decision. I have wasted too much time and money on this place, find a place that values each and every dancer. *****Please now note that the reviews following were written after I provided my honest review and the first one is given by the secretary and friends of the owner*** you can be the judge read more

My daughter has danced here for five years, also coming from a competition studio, which she no longer had time for. She has been embraced, nurtured and encouraged every step of the way. The owners exude professionalism and care more about all children learning true technique and skills then just being a factory. Having been professional dancers themselves they know what they are doing. From the littlest to the oldest they show care and concern. From the second you walk in to their brand new state of the art studio you know you are in the right place! My daughters confidence has grown tenfold since she walked into their establishment and she will carry this with her into her next journey of college. read more

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! read more

I studied here throughout high school and was amazed by the dedication of the staff. They genuinely care about ALL students while offering arguably the best dance education on Long Island read more