Dance has always been a part of Michelle Vivona’s life.
She was born to two dancers, married a dancer and raised a dancer.
After spending more than 20 years dancing professionally in Broadway shows and as a Rockette, Vivona took her skills to teach a new generation of talent.
“I feel like it’s my way to pass on all that I’ve learned from all the dance teachers that I studied from,” Vivona said.
Her and her husband, Jerome, have been the directors of the American Theater Dance Workshop for six years and recently moved the workshop out of the Herricks Community Center a few blocks down to a studio located at 500 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola.
The Vivonas both have an extensive dance theater background.
Michelle danced in Broadway shows after moving to Manhattan from Pittsburgh, where her parents owned a dance studio, she said.
(Photo by Joel Harris)
She met Jerome, from Bayville, while the two were working on a European tour of “West Side Story,” she said.
Both have appeared on Broadway. Michelle’s career includes performances in “Gypsy,” “Anything Goes,” “Sweet Charity.”
Her husband’s career includes performances in “Seussical,” “Kiss Me, Kate,” and “Curtains.”
Michelle’s last show was “Thoroughly Modern Milly.” She decided to retire from dancing and the Vivonas moved to East Meadow to raise their two children.
The couple started teaching at the American Dance Theater Workshop.
When the previous owner wanted to retire, she thought the Vivonas were set to take over the reins due to their professional experience, Michelle said.
“She felt our background was also very much in line with the studio,” Michelle said.
The new studio gives the Vivonas more opportunities to grow the workshop, Michelle said.
They are now able to offer classes every day of the week.
There are classes for students ranging from 3-years-old to adults.
The studio also offers ballet classes, a field Jerome also has professional experience in, Michelle said.
With the new studio, Michelle said they plan to offer voice and acting classes, too.
There will also be a black box theater, so the studio can put on their own in-house performances, Michelle said.
“It’s just more opportunities for our students to perform and to study different aspects of the theater,” Michelle said.
(Photo by Joel Harris)
The Vivona’s 20-year-old daughter has followed in her parents’ footsteps. She is currently a student at Syracuse University pursuing a bachelor’s in fine arts in musical theater.
“Our daughter definitely, from a young age, has loved performing … it’s in her genes,” Michelle said.
Her daughter is rehearsing an original show that she’ll perform in an upcoming theater festival in New York City, Michelle said.
The Vivona’s son, who is entering his senior year of high school, has dabbled in musical theater but is more interested in soccer and art, Michelle said.
“But, you know, he’s still young so you never know,” Michelle said.
In her position as a teacher, Michelle said she hopes to encourage young dancers to follow their dreams.
“I think working in the arts is an amazing way to spend your time, and a great career choice,” Michelle said. “… My parents were very, very supportive in it because that was their love and their passion, as well and I think that it’s great to have a passion and to be able to pursue that.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly called the studio American Dance Theater Workshop, instead of American Theater Dance Workshop.
