Mermaid Tails Dance and Marco Sharks MMA

Mermaid Tails Dance has undergone a number of major changes in the roughly 10 months since first opening its doors. 

For one, the name is now Mermaid Tails Dance and Marco Sharks MMA, a change that reflects the expansion of the studio’s offerings. Aside from a selection of dance and dance exercise classes, they’ve added aerial acrobatics, martial arts, and tumbling and gymnastics classes, primarily for youths. They’re joined by the creation of a competitive dance team, The Marco Island Dance Academy, to take part in contests locally and beyond. 

The studio also has a new home, having moved in June to a Marco Town Center storefront that is much larger than its previous home in the South Collier Boulevard plaza above Sunshine Booksellers. 

“We moved because we were kind of limited in our previous space,” said Mermaid Tails owner Kristin Croscenco. “We didn’t have enough room to do what we wanted to do, to expand, to add in some tumbling and gymnastics and the aerial arts classes. We started looking around and we found this space and it’s just amazing.”

The studio offers instruction for children ages three and above in ballet, jazz, hip hop, dance cheer, lyrical, contemporary, aerial arts and gymnastic 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. 

Enrollment has skyrocketed since the studio’s opening, when there were 91 girls, between the ages of two and 14. 

“That pushed us to expand the classes that we offer,” explained Croscenco. “It’s been great. We’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have so much support from our community. When I first started, I wasn’t sure it was really going to take off. But there definitely is a need for more sports activities on the island. There are a lot of kids and I think dance and martial arts are a good combination that can cater to all kids and their different skills. I’m just so fortunate to be here and to have the opportunity to have this here.”

Moving has also allowed Mermaid Tails to create a full-size dojo for the martial arts classes that are led by “Coach Dan,” Kristen’s husband, Danilo Croscenco. She said he has more than 25 years’ experience in a variety of martial arts, including Jiu Jitsu, Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Judo. The program is called Marco Sharks MMA. Character development in a fun filled environment is the curriculum’s focus

“He was really able to bring in all of his experience and create a super fun class for the kids,” Croscenco said of “Coach Dan.”

The Marco Island Dance Academy will hold tryouts on September 8th and will take part in six competitions this year. Most will take place in Fort Myers, but one will be held in Orlando. 

“I think it’s going to be really fun for them,” Croscenco said of the program “It will provide an opportunity for those who want to advance to more of a competition type level. That’s something we’re starting this year and I’m really excited.”

The Croscenco’s children: daughters Lexi, age one, and Kora, six, and sons Logan, four, and Kaden, age eight, all take part in classes at Mermaid Tails. “It’s definitely a family business,” quipped their mother. 

 Adult classes are also planned. There’ll be a ballet barre fitness and lyrical class, with ballet inspired moves with elements of Pilates, yoga and strength training. Martial arts classes for adults will also be added. 

Mermaid Tails Dance and Marco Sharks MMA is located at 1089 North Collier Boulevard, Unit 422. For more information, call 239-399-0551 or visit mermaidtailsdance.com. For Marco Sharks MMA, visit marcosharksmma.com.