Her dance videos get millions of Insta views. Here's why she opened a North Jersey studio

Christina D’Adamo started dancing when she was four and she hasn't stopped turning since.

"I adore the way it makes me feel," she says. "The movement allows so many people to express themselves in ways that words cannot."

After years of training and competition, D’Adamo started teaching dance at a studio in Mahwah in 2019. But when that studio closed abruptly in 2023, D’Adamo had a decision to make.

D’Adamo had just graduated college and had plans to go to law school. But the chance to own her own studio was too good to pass up. "I ran with the opportunity at full speed and I am thankful that I did."

"I was very close with the previous owner," she says. "I was a dance teacher, but I also helped with the business end of things."

Although she had discussions about taking over one day, the time crunch with the upcoming competition schedule forced her to make a quick decision.

"We were going to the World Dance Championship the last week of July," she says. "If I didn't open by July 5, the girls wouldn't have been able to compete since all dancers need to be registered with a dance studio."

In addition to running Christina Dadamo Dance Academy, you can catch D’Adamo showing off her moves on Instagram — where she recently passed 100,000 followers and her videos get millions of views — and modeling, including New York-based dance company Capezio.

You started dancing at a young age. Where did you train?

I trained at a studio in Rockland County. Although it gave me a strong technical foundation, it made it extremely difficult for me to have confidence in myself as a dancer. I was constantly being doubted and put down by many instructors, which made me quickly question my capabilities and purpose in a sport I thought I loved so much. When that studio closed, my mom pushed me to find a new studio and amidst the fear of being in my junior year of high school and starting fresh in a brand new place, I decided to join Robyn Dangelo School of Dance in Wyckoff. That change made me fall in love with dance and made me feel so valued. I was not only encouraged daily but given so many amazing opportunities that have turned into memories I will never forget. I would not be where I am as a dancer without that positive teaching environment. I competed there and placed first at many competitions and won Worlds with that team in 2019, my last competition as a senior.

What can you tell me about your time at Ramapo College?

After graduating high school in 2019, I went to Ramapo College where I studied pre-law and crime and justice studies. I fell in love with most of my classes and knew I had chosen the right major. This past May I graduated Summa Cum Laude and won the senior thesis award at the college. Almost immediately after graduating, however, I had an unexpected business opportunity to buy the dance studio where I was currently working.

It would be a lie to say I logically weighed my decision to become a business owner. I have always been an overthinker who enjoys weighing every option and carefully considering every choice I make. Therefore it was out of character for me to jump into owning my own company with no business experience with only three days' notice. My heart told me to do it without thinking. I ran full speed ahead and I have no regrets. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Tell me about Christina Dadamo Dance Academy.

I’ve always had hopes of owning a studio but never thought it would happen so quickly. The studio is already a big success, growing more and more every day. With students ages 2-18+ and classes for every style and level, I am so proud of how far we’ve come in just six months of being open.

My mom and dad are my biggest supporters. I could not have done it without them, not only being great parents but also pushing me to be the best version of myself and seeing more in me than I have in myself. It was also an honor to be nominated and make it to the finals of this year's (201) Best of Bergen Community Choice Awards for the category of Best Dance School!

You also model. What brands have you worked with?

Being a social media influencer, I have partnered with around 1,500 brands. However, it was my dream to be able to get an opportunity to model for Capezio, one of the largest dance manufacturing brands. I was able to make that dream come true last year.

How did you build your large social media following?

I started posting about two years ago. It started with some videos of myself turning or executing different dance moves, and before I knew it, my videos were getting millions of views and lots of public attention. My advice for anyone looking to start a social media account would be to post consistently, be true to yourself and your audience, and don’t take it too seriously. I believe social media is a gift and a curse at times, but is an amazing outlet to showcase talents and connect with the world.

What does a typical day in your week look like?

I typically wake up a little later in the day, considering this is my first time not having to go to school. Our classes usually start around 3 p.m. when the kids get out of school. I will always try to get some office work done in the morning, such as planning for the business, ordering costumes, choreographing pieces and answering emails. Then I will switch over to working on some social media content. Whether that is filming, answering brand deals, or working on my partnerships. After that, it’s time for classes to start. I typically teach from 3 p.m. to around 9 p.m. By the time that is done, I’ll eat dinner, work on some more things for the business and repeat.

What’s next?

Right now I’m super focused on my new business and am excited to build it up more and more over time. I can't wait to see where this new journey takes me.

Get to know Christina D’Adamo

• Age: 22

• Online: @Christina_dadamo_; @christina_dadamo_dance_academy; christinadadamodanceacademy.com

• Born and raised in Suffern, N.Y.

• Education: Ramapo College of New Jersey, class of '23

• Recognition & Awards: Graduated summa cum laude, won the World Dance Championship in 2019 with Wyckoff's Robyn Dangelo School of Dance; 1st place soloist at multiple regional and national dance competitions

• Future Aspirations: To grow as a person and grow my business. I can’t wait to attend local competitions with my team this coming season and hopefully make it to Worlds.

Joram is the art director for the magazines of North Jersey Media Group — including (201), Montclair and Wayne. He currently writes three monthly columns for (201) and his work appears regularly on NorthJersey.com and in The Record. He also manages the social media accounts for all three magazines.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Christina Dadamo Dance Academy: Here's how she almost didn't open