Dance Academy Hopes for Continued Success

A summer of promise is underway for the Marco Island Dance Academy. 

MIDA recently marked the close of its 2023-2024 season with its Third Annual Spring Dance Recital. Entitled “Dancing in Candyland,” the free community event saw 111 dancers display their talents on the Veterans Community Park stage. 

The audience was entertained by a variety of dance types, including lyrical, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap and “acro,” which blends classical dance technique with acrobatic elements. Each performance featured songs in which candy is a key element.

The recital’s second half featured the academy’s 28 competition team members who represent MIDA in dance tournaments in the boys, minis (ages five to six), petites (ages eight and under) and the juniors (ages nine to 11) categories. 

2024 has proven to be a banner year for the academy in just its second year of competing in large tournaments against other dance schools. In mid-January, the petite and junior teams were named Star Dance Alliance Regional Champions at the Starpower International Battle on the Seas Dance competition. MIDA closed out the month at the Shake the Ground dance tourney, where its petite team placed tenth.

The competition teams performed their award-winning routines at the recital. The youths will continue competing this summer at the World Dance Championships where they’ll represent TEAM USA. That event will be held July 23- July 25 in Secaucus, New Jersey.

As further evidence of MIDA’s competitive growth, Kristin Croscenco, the academy’s studio director, noted that during the spring 2023 season, its competition team only received one of the golden tickets required to advance to the World Championship. But this year the team received five golden tickets for the boys, juniors and petite squads. 

“It has been a joy and privilege to witness the growth and transformation of each and every dancer this year,” she said. “From the tentative steps of beginners, to the confident leaps of seasoned performers, I have seen dedication and passion ignite the stage. Every practice session, every rehearsal, and every performance has been a testament to the unwavering commitment of these dancers.

“I would also like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for my dance teachers, Ms. Sarah Feiertag and Ms. Maggie Piretra. They are not just dance teachers; they are true assets to our studio. Their creative skills and ways of inspiring and empowering dancers to reach for the stars is truly special.”

Formed in late 2021, MIDA offers instruction for children ages one and above in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, cheer dance, lyrical, contemporary, aerial arts, and “acro” (acrobatic) tumbling. There are also Mommy-and-Me classes for children six-months-to-three-years old, which feature activities designed to develop motor, cognitive and social skills, and spatial concepts.

Sweet treats at the recital were provided by two Marco businesses, The Bean Coffee, which donated a percentage of sales to the Tommy Barfield PTO, and Sweet Annies Ice Cream, which donated half of its sales to MIDA’s Competition Team Fundraiser for Summer National Dance Competitions. The academy also made a donation to Tommy Barfield PTO to show support for the elementary school.

Marco Island Dance Academy will hold four weeks of summer camps this year; June 3 through June 14, and July 29 through August 9. During June, the academy will continue drop-in classes for Acro and Technique at 4:00 PM, Tuesday through Thursday. Drop-in classes can be purchased marcoislanddanceacademy.com in the “Schedule for Each Day” section. Registration for fall classes is currently open. Classes start August 26 for the 2024-2025 dance season.

Marco Island Dance Academy is located at 1089 N. Collier Boulevard, #422. For more information, please visit MarcoIslandDanceAcademy.com or call 399-0551.