The Calendar
Check out this studio calendar for all the important dates you need here at Stage Door!
Welcome to Stage Door School of Dance
Welcome to Long Island's PREMIER Dance Studio!
Is your child always dancing to the music at home? Would you love for your child to socialize in a safe, family-friendly, fun and creative environment? A place where they'll be encouraged to express themselves through the art of music and dance? You've found it.
We LOVE what we do here at SDSD. We're in our 38th year in the Patchogue community and we believe in our studio, staff, alumni, students, and teachings! We would be honored to make you a part of our incredible Stage Door Legacy. Scroll Down to Learn More!
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Welcome to Stage Door School of Dance
Welcome to Long Island's PREMIER Dance Studio!
Is your child always dancing to the music at home? Would you love for your child to socialize in a safe, family-friendly, fun and creative environment? A place where they'll be encouraged to express themselves through the art of music and dance? You've found it.
We LOVE what we do here at SDSD. We're in our 38th year in the Patchogue community and we believe in our studio, staff, alumni, students, and teachings! We would be honored to make you a part of our incredible Stage Door Legacy. Scroll Down to Learn More!
Welcome to the Studio!
Thank you very much for visiting our site!
We are NOW accepting NEW STUDENTS & SDSD Members for our exciting 2014 FIVE Week Summer Dance Program and our 2014-2015 Dance Season! Please register from the convenience of your home. Check out both the Summer & 2014-2015 Dance Schedules, information about registration, and access your account now! It's super easy! If you have any questions or would like to schedule a tour of our school please contact us immediately.
We look forward to meeting you and your dancer very soon. Keep scrolling for more information!
Click the icon to learn more!
Access your SDSD Account by clicking this icon!
About our Studio!
Check out our incredible facilities and our professional staff!
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About our Studio!
Check out our incredible facilities and our professional staff!
Welcome to the Stage Door School of Dance located in East Patchogue, New York. We are so happy you found us! Stop by and visit to see our beautiful state-of-the-art dance studios, in the Swan Commons Shopping Center.
We have THREE beautiful LARGE dance rooms, unlimited parking, and oversized waiting areas with THREE 40" flatscreen TV monitors for viewing ALL classes. The dance floors are specially-designed and sprung for protection from injury.
We have some of the most amazing dance teachers on Long Island. Check out their incredible credentials by scrolling down!
Our studio owner, Mary Giattino-Styles, has danced on Broadway, with the Radio City Rockettes, Choreographed at the Gateway Playhouse, in addition to many shows across the country.
IN STUDIO SUMMER REGISTRATION & STUDIO TOURS AVAILABLE NOW!!! Beginning Monday, July 14th the Summer Studio Hours for Summer & Fall Registration Are:
- Monday: 4-10pm
- Tuesday: 4-8pm
- Wednesday: 9:30am-1pm & 4-10pm
- Thursday: 3:30-8:00pm
The Calendar
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About our Classes (and What to Wear!)
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About our Classes (and What to Wear!)
Parent & Me (Daddy, Grandparent or Guardian) (18-29 months old)
This 45 minute class is structured to begin teaching the young dancers some of the basic dance steps as well as promoting socializing among young dancers and mommies alike. A great way to get your eager mover in the classroom and learning the basics of musicality, following direction, color recognition, coordination, imagination all while interacting with their beloved Mommy, Daddy, Grandparent, or Guardian. A great first step before beginning our Broadway Babies program, which begins at 30 months old and practices separation.
DRESS CODE for both parent and dancer- Comfortable clothing for both parents and dancers. Proper dance clothes is optional for young dancers.
Broadway Babies (2 1/2 +)
This is the perfect class for your 2 year old who is currently dancing to music at home! This program is an introduction to dance in a fun and encouraging environment. Broadway Babies is structured as a 45 minute class that promotes separation from parents, listening skills, musicality, following direction, counting, color recognition, coordination, social interaction, imagination and the basic introductory fundamentals of Ballet.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear pink ballet slippers, pink tights, and a black leotard. Hair should be in a bun and a dance skirt is optional. Boys are required to wear a white T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants and black ballet slippers.
Twinkle Tots (3+)
This class is an Introduction to Ballet for your 3 year old. Twinkle Tots is structured as a 1 hour class teaching you child the fundamentals of Ballet Basics; Ballet Barre Exercises, center work focusing on balance, grace, poise, coordination and musicality. This is a great way to socialize your child while teaching them the discipline of class etiquette and fun.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear pink ballet slippers, pink tights, and a black leotard. Hair should be in a bun and a dance skirt is optional. Boys are required to wear a white T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants and black ballet slippers.
Shining Stars (4+)
This class is an inspiring combination of Tap and Ballet for your 4 year old. Shining Stars is a 1 hour class that will prepare your child for the full hour single discipline class that they will take when they are 5 years old. In this class your child will spend 30 minutes on ballet technique and 30 minutes on Tap technique. In the ballet portion of the class your child will learn the 5 ballet positions, ballet barre exercises, center work focusing on balance and grace and across the floor work while gaining poise confidence and coordination. The tap portion of the class will focus on tap terminology, rhythm and musicality. This is a great class for children who want a taste of both classical and beneficial disciplines of dance!
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear pink ballet slippers, flat tan tap shoes, pink tights, and a black leotard. Hair should be in a bun and a dance skirt is optional. Boys are required to wear a white T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants, tan tap shoes and black ballet slippers.
Combo Jam (5+)
This is a great class for your 5 year old who has never taken dance before. This unique class offers new dancers the opportunity to try all three classic dance disciplines; ballet, tap and jazz. Combo Jam is structured dedicating 30 minutes for ballet, 30 minutes for jazz and 30 minutes for tap. Students will learn the basic fundamentals in all three disciplines, concentrating on technique, terminology, and classroom etiquette.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear pink ballet slippers, flat tan tap shoes, tan jazz shoes, pink tights, and a black leotard. Hair should be in a bun and a dance skirt is optional. Boys are required to wear a white T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants, tan tap shoes, tan jazz shoes and black ballet slippers.
Ballet
Ballet is a classical style of graceful and narrative dance. The study of ballet is essential for all students wishing to advance their dance ability as it’s technique is at the root of several different dance forms.
DRESS CODE - Girls enrolled in this class are required to wear pink ballet shoes, pink tights and a black leotard. Ballet skirts are optional. The hair must also be up off their necks at all times. Boys must wear a white shirt, tight fitting black bottoms and black ballet shoes.
Tap
Tap classes are designed to teach our students rhythm and coordination. Tap is a dance in which the rhythm is audible tapped out but the heel or toes of the dancer wearing the specialized shoes.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear flat tan tap shoes, tan tights, and a black body suit. Hair should be pulled away from the face. Boys are required to wear a black T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants and black tap shoes.
Jazz
Jazz classes are based on a combination of Broadway and Modern Jazz. The classes are structured to build strength and develop flexibility, coordination and rhythm. Dance combinations can consist of musical theatre, contemporary and progressive choreography. The serious jazz student should also enroll in a ballet class.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear tan jazz shoes, tan tights, and a black body suit. Black dance shorts or pants are optional. Hair should be pulled away from the face. Boys are required to wear a black T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants and black jazz shoes.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop or urban styles of music. The class includes a more cardio based warm up with strength training and progressing into a combination of Jazz-Funk and street style of dance. Dancer’s will focus on coordination, strength and rhythmic skills along with all the fun and energy associated with the up tempo music.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear a black body suit, tan tights, and hip hop shoes determined by the teacher. Black dance shorts or pants are optional. Hair should be pulled away from the face. Boys are required to wear a black T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants and hip hop shoes, determined by the teacher.
Lyrical
Lyrical is a fusion of Ballet and Jazz that focuses on performing to the lyrics of a chosen song. The class will emphasize ballet technique along with jazz rhythms and styles. The serious student should also enroll in a ballet class.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear a black body suit, tan tights, and lyrical shoes determined by the teacher. Black dance shorts or pants are optional. Hair should be pulled away from the face. Boys are required to wear a black T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants and lyrical shoes, determined by the teacher.
Modern
Modern dance emerged in the early 20th century as a rebellion against classical ballet. Modern dance focuses more on the feeling and look of a movement unlike ballet which is created to be aesthetically pleasing. Our class focuses on balance, strength and flexibility through the modern movements as well as introducing some of the more mature aspects of the style like partnering and dancing without music.
DRESS CODE – Girls are required to wear a black body suit, tan tights, and lyrical shoes determined by the teacher. Black dance shorts or pants are optional. Hair should be pulled away from the face. Boys are required to wear a black T-Shirt, comfortable black shorts or pants and lyrical shoes, determined by the teacher.
Acro
Acro is a fun & challenging genre for dancers as it focuses on flexibility, upper body strength, cardio and core. Acro for dancers will be focusing on the basic fundamentals such as forward & backward rolls, cartwheels & round-off's, headstands & handstands, bridges & backbends, front & back walk over's, aerials and back handsprings and so much more! Your dancer will start with the basics and each dancer will be progressing on their own time. We are excited to begin incorporating their Acro Skills into their Dance Classes!
Our Teachers
Check out the bios for our amazing teachers!
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Our Teachers
Check out the bios for our amazing teachers!
Mary Giattino-Styles
STUDIO OWNER & TEACHER
Mary is a proud Stage Door Graduate! Mary's parents, James and Diane Giattino, opened SDSD 39 years ago and she is honored everyday to carry out the family tradition! Prior to owning SDSD, Mary has worked on the BROADWAY National Tour of Billy Elliot, as the Associate Choreographer, Resident Choreographer and Swing. She is known in NYC as a tap expert and was hired to work on Billy Elliot when it opened on BROADWAY as the tap teacher, to all of the "Billy's" and "Michael's". Mary has assisted Tony Award nominee choreographer Randy Skinner, on BROADWAY, in White Christmas, No No Nanette and Of Thee I Sing. She has also kicked her legs with the famous Radio City Rockettes and toured with the BROADWAY National Tour of 42nd Street. Mary has choreographed Irving Berlin's White Christmas, 42nd Street and Thoroughly Modern Millie, at the Gateway Playhouse, in addition to performing in over 20 productions there. Mary has performed for and had the pleasure to meet two Presidents, numerous Senators and many celebrities. Mary specializes in Musical Theater Tap and Jazz.
Stephanie Vertichio
DANCE TEACHER
Stephanie has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography and a Minor in Communication from SUNY College at Brockport. Stephanie has been a dance teacher at Stage Door School of Dance for the past 5 years. Stephanie is also the Choreographer at Bellport High School, where she has choreographed four Musicals and Variety Show Performances. Stephanie is also a Dancing Classrooms Teaching Artist at Frank P. Long Intermediate School and Our Lady of Lourdes School. All of these experiences have benefited her as an instructor as well as a performer.
Wendi McArdle
DANCE TEACHER
Wendi is a proud graduate of Stage Door and has taught in many locations for over 10 years. She has a special talent for bringing out the very best in a young student. Her choreography is recognized and rewarded in many competitions regionally and nationally. Miss Wendi is very sought out in the Long Island Dance Community.
Ashley Cole
DIRECTOR OF DANCEABILITY& DANCEABILITY HEADTEACHER
Ashley Cole is a certified special education and elementary school teacher. She has been expressing herself through dance and movement since a very young age. Her passions for dancing and leading others to finding their own unique paths to success are a perfect combination for the DanceAbility program. She looks forward to creating an environment for our students which fosters positive relationships, continuous opportunities for success, and the building of self esteem. She is happy to have recently taken ont he position of Director of the DanceAbility Program.
Nuala DeGeorge
DANCE TEACHER
Nuala DeGeorge-Potts' dance career of 20+ years encompasses a wide variety of techniques including Modern, Tap and Hip-Hop as well as competitive Latin Ballroom. In addition to performing, Nuala has established herself as a teacher, director, judge and choreographer. Her choreography has been recognized by The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, NOW (National Organization for Woman) and amFar (AIDS Research) as well as regional and national Dance Competitions. Nuala holds a B.A. in Theater-Dance from C.U.N.Y. Queens College. This proximity to New York City during college allowed her to regularly perform and work with artists from major companies such as Martha Graham Dance Company, American Tap Dance Foundation, Limon Dance Company, Dance Theatre Etcetera, Manhattan Tap and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Nuala currently teaches at universities, private schools and dance conventions throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Kelly Alcantara
DANCE TEACHER
Kelly has been teaching dance for over 20 years and in that time has developed numerous award winning competition routines. She has been choreographing high school and middle school musicals for over 15 years in both the William Floyd and Plainview Old-Bethpage School Districts including great dancing shows such as “42nd Street”, “Chorusline”, and “Cats”. She had created and coached the first middle school kickline in the Plainview Old-Bethpage School District. Kelly also traveled the country performing multiple dance disciplines with a dj dance company. During that time she pursued a Masters of Science in school counseling and enjoyed a career as a guidance counselor in the Plainview Old-Bethpage School District for 6 years before deciding to take some time off to raise her children who are now 8 and 4. She is also Zumba Certified.
Stephanie Pitocco
DANCE TEACHER
Stephanie Pitocco has been trained in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, and hip hop since the age of 2 and is widelyknown for her creative and innovative choreography, which have won her much recognition nationwide. She has previously coached the Sachem East Varsity Arrowettes to a grand national title, along with many other awards, such as an innovative choreography award, from 2004-2008. In 2008, Stephanie had the opportunity to train and perform with the national hip hop company Hip Hop Connxion Chicago, focusing on empowering youth through dance and movement. Ms. Stephanie has had the chance to dance with many major hip hop artists in the Midwest area from her opportunity with Hip Hop Connxion Chicago. Currently, Ms. Stephanie teaches locally at several dance studies and often choreographs national hip hop routines for high schools on Long Island.
Jessica Colosa
DANCE TEACHER & COMPANY MANAGER
Another proud alumnus and scholarship recipient from Stage Door! During high school, Jessica was invited to study ballet under Maggie Black and performed in Paris, France. Following her dreams, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance with a K-12 teaching certification at the acclaimed Towson University. There, she was selected for the Towson University Dance Company and was chosen to perform in the American College Dance Festival. She also studied and performed repertoire from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dana Tai Soon Burgess, Amy Marshall Dance Company, and Ballet Theatre of Maryland. Jessica has worked for Universal Dance Association as a dance instructor and competition judge throughout the US. Jessica specializes in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and early childhood classes. She regularly attends classes at Broadway Dance Center and is currently working under the direction of Nancy Duncan for the restaging of a Bebe Miller modern piece entitled "Guardian Angels".
Oya Bangura
DANCE TEACHER
Oya is originally from West Africa, Sierra Leone. Early dance training at The United Nations International School followed by scholarship student with Jacques d’Amboise and his National Dance Institute. Appeared at Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center’s Outdoor Festivals, American Ballet Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Rodotto and Fenice (Venice, Italy). Training in dance and choreography College at Boston University. Principal choreographer/dancer/actor in Off Broadway production written, directed and produced by Jahidah Diaab. She is currently a Theatre Major at SCCC where she performed and is in her fourth year teaching with the Stage Door family.
Felicia Cruz
DANCE TEACHER
Felicia Cruz has been dancing for 19 years with different studios. Graduated St. John the Baptist DHS with honors and was on the Danceworks Company in high school. She has her Bachleors in Business Management and a Minor in Dance from Stony Brook University. Felicia has choreographed "The Table Where We Met" for Ironworks Company and a student piece in "Over the Edge". This is her first year teaching with Stage Door Dance and is super excited. Felicia is ready to bring her craziness and her love for dance to the SDSD family.