'U Gotta Dance': Studio Opens In Pandemic With Social Distancing

EAST MORICHES, NY — Dani-Marie Dicecco had found a dream location for her new dance studio in East Moriches and had just celebrated a joyful grand opening. And then a week later last March, her business, like so many others, was shuttered due to the pandemic.

But Dicecco, like her husband Jerry, who owns Jerry & the Mermaid, a restaurant in Riverhead, didn't let the coronavirus thwart her dreams.

Instead, Dicecco and her business partner Evelyn Zangrillo used the lockdown time to reimagine their business, U Gotta Dance, which opened in July with a full array of social distancing measures to ensure the children who come to dance can do so safely.

After opening the first location of U Gotta Dance in Woodbury, Dicecco said she knew she wanted another spot closer to her husband's business and the home they share with their three children, Giavanna, 7, Giavanna, Adrianna, 5, and their baby, Jerry.

The perfect spot opened up at 130 Montauk Highway, a space that had already been utilized by a dance studio run by Barbara Rocco, who retired, Dicecco said.

After working to update the studio, the plan was to have the business up and running by spring break. "And then the world shut down, and we all went on lockdown," Dicecco said. "I had a new business and rent to pay and no income coming in. It was unsettling."

Thankfully, she was blessed with a kind landlord, she said. "He did the right thing, and we are very grateful," she said. "He said, 'Listen, you're new. And we want this to work for you.'"

Then, the waiting began. In the meantime, Dicecco offered virtual classes for students at her Woodbury location.

When it became clear that she'd be able to open in July, Dicecco and her partner began to reshape and re-envision the studio, creating 6-foot boxes, or socially distanced squares, for the children to dance. Although there could technically be 18 in the room, to be safe, the limit was capped at 12, she said.

The studio also features hand-sanitizing stations. Each student has their own box, where they can put their water bottle and personal items so nothing touches the floor, Dicecco said. A new air filtration system was installed, too.

"This was all done so that people would feel comfortable coming in," she said.

There were challenges, in that the business was new and parents would be sending their children to a dance studio without knowing her, Dicecco said. "We had to establish that trust, let them know that we care about your kids and your health and safety. That we want to do the right thing. And that we want the kids to have something to look forward to — because they missed out on so much."

From the start, the community flocked to the new studio. During the summer, Dicecco said, Disney princess camps were offered for younger students, ages three to five. Children told their parents that they couldn't wait until the next time they could return.

With cheer and tumbling canceled at local school districts due to the pandemic, Dicecco, who has a background in cheer, also decided to offer both at the studio safely. "It's been a big hit," she said.

U Gotta Dance also became a place where musical theater students, unable to perform due to the pandemic in their local schools, can take theater classes.

As a mom and instructor, Dicecco finds joy in seeing the children so happy. "I'm so grateful to be able to offer the kids the chance to do something they love with their friends in a safe place," she said.

The pandemic actually helped the business to evolve into an even more multi-faceted model than she'd ever imagined, Dicecco said.

"Now we've become this complete performance arena," she said. "Not just ballet, tap and jazz, but a little bit of everything. It's so rewarding and I don't think I ever would have thought to expand in these ways if the pandemic hadn’t happened," she said.

Her own daughters are loving the experience, as are the children who are eager to have a safe place to learn and socialize, Dicecco said.

"That has been, for me, the biggest thing," she said. "I can't wait to go to work. My heart is overjoyed. Even though they're wearing masks, you can still see their little smiles and their eyes light up."

From the smallest babies in Mommy & Me classes to the toddlers, for many children who've lived through the pandemic unable to go to school, the studio is the site of many "firsts," Dicecco said. "For many of them, it's the first time ever being away from their mom. It's very cute to see these kids start to adjust, to be able to interact safely with other children."

While she's had to reshape procedures — for example, the kids can no longer enter holding hands, but instead, have to enter separately and find their "X" —the children have adapted, she said.

Both Dicecco and her husband believe in giving back. Jerry Dicecco has teamed up with Branches Long Island to create "The Mermaid Project," a fundraiser to help hospitality and restaurant workers hit hard by the pandemic.

U Gotta Dance will host a dance party Sunday to benefit The Mermaid Project. Those who make donations can sign up for 45-minute dance sessions.

Once pandemic restrictions are lifted, Dicecco also wants to become an East Moriches community partner, with students participating in parades and other fundraisers to help others through their love of dance.

The community has welcomed her business with open arms, Dicecco said. "I am so lucky and grateful. Each and every one of my students and parents really helped my business to grow this year throughout the pandemic. We are so happy to be part of the community. We can feel the love and we are so happy to be there."

The pandemic, she said, has helped her to see the world differently. "This time has taught me to take a moment, to appreciate the little things. And also to be able to handle change and be adaptable."

In the past, she said, she was very focused on schedules, which sometimes created stress. "For me, it was always planning a big show or a big performance. Sometimes you lose sight of what really matters — being there in that moment and enjoying that moment in the classroom with the students. And leaving on a positive note, with the kids feeling happy and good about themselves."

Dicecco said she wants to create a welcoming and safe oasis at U Gotta Dance. "We want people to feel they are part of a family."

And, Dicecco added: "We can still dance and have fun 6-feet apart!"