The Business of Dance

Interview Date: October 12th, 2025

Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode, international choreographer, performer, and TV judge MELCHARLOT shares her powerful journey from Montreal to the global stage. Known for her work with Lizzo, Beyoncé, Cardi B, and her Broadway debut in Holler If You Hear Me, MEL opens up about the challenges, sacrifices, and growth that shaped her as both an artist and mother.She reveals her evolution from...

Interview Date: October 5th, 2025

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and nostalgic episode, Emmy-nominated choreographer and MTV Award winner Tina Landon takes us behind the scenes of her legendary career shaping the choreography that defined an era of pop culture. From her early days as a Laker Girl under Paula Abdul to becoming the creative force behind Janet Jackson’s “If”, “The Velvet Rope Tour,” and Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida...

Interview Date: September 28th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Strength & conditioning coach and dance athleticism specialist Karl Flores joins the Business of Dance for a science-meets-studio deep dive. Karl traces his path from competitive dancer to Equinox trainer to founder of Movement Society in Los Angeles, explaining how structured training, recovery, and style-specific programming extend dancers’ careers. He unpacks the “artist-at...

Interview Date: September 14th, 2025

Episode Summary:In this inspiring conversation, Carol Borjas Cantrell shares her remarkable evolution from a Venezuelan rhythmic gymnast to touring the world as a professional dancer and raising the next generation of talent, including her daughter Kylie Cantrell (Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red).Carol walks listeners through her early ballet training, her scholarship to Tremaine in Los Ang...

Interview Date: August 24th, 2025

Episode Summary:

In this captivating conversation, Juliet Prowse, author of Born to Dance, joins The Business of Dance Podcast to share the untold story of her legendary aunt, the late Juliet Prowse — a trailblazing British-South African dancer and actress who conquered Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Broadway.

From performing alongside Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley in Can-Can and G.I. Blues to headlining...

Interview Date: August 10th, 2025 

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and uplifting episode, we sit down with Aubrey Fisher — dancer, recording artist, and creative powerhouse — who went from teaching himself choreography in his living room to sharing stages with Jason Derulo, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, DaBaby, and Tyga.

Aubrey opens up about his unique path into the entertainment industry, revealing how he went from a college basketb...

Interview Date: August 3rd, 2025

Episode Summary:

Choreographer/director Lindsey Blaufarb (half of LNC Collective) maps the leap from touring dancer to Emmy-nominated creative. A military kid who moved often, she found community through arts, earned an Urban Jam scholarship, then moved to L.A. at 17 to attend Hollywood High and the EDGE program—surviving on bar-mitzvah gigs and big dreams.

Lindsey unpacks early heartbreaks and lucky ...

Interview Date: July 14th, 2025

Episode Summary:
Eden Shabtai shares how a kid from a tiny Israeli kibbutz—obsessed with MTV and training in ballet and modern—willed her way into New York’s scene and eventually L.A.’s major stages. She opens up about the unglamorous decade of artist development, underpaid gigs, and nonstop outreach that built the foundation for her “overnight” break assisting on Chris Brown’s Loyal, leading to major ...

Interview Date: June 22nd, 2025

Episode Summary:

Dytto (aka Courtney Kelly) — the fembot icon of the dance community whose viral “Barbie Girl” freestyle on World of Dance launched a global following of ~10M across platforms. A professional mover, personality, and director, she’s appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, starred in national campaigns (Android Wear, Target), and most recently served as Assistant Choreographer for Shakira.

I...

Interview Date: July 6th, 2025

Episode Summary:

MSA New York’s Talent Director Bre Traver breaks down exactly how dancers get on an agent’s radar and build sustainable careers. From her path from dancer to agent, to what MSA looks for in reels, headshots, and Instagrams, Bre shares practical, no-fluff guidance on submissions, onboarding, and being an ideal client. She contrasts the NYC vs. LA markets (live stage, Broadway, tours,...

Interview Date: June 1st, 2025

Episode Summary:

Menina sits down with Tara-Jean Popowich—winner of So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 2—for an inspiring look at resilience, self-belief, and adventure. From moving out at 15 to chase training, to struggling with $5/hour jobs in L.A., to the heartbreak of being cut from SYTYCD Season 1 and the comeback that won her the crown, Tara-Jean shares how grit, heart, and community shaped ...

Interview Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Summary:

In this landmark 100th episode, the spotlight turns onto the visionary behind it all — Menina Fortunato, creator of The Business of Dance as a dance mentor and podcast host.

Interviewed by longtime friend and fellow performer Linda Ayentes, Menina reflects on her extraordinary career over the decades spanning live entertainment, television, touring, entrepreneurship, and motherhood.

Me...

Interview Date: May 25th,2025

Episode Summary:

Corynne Barron shares how a late start in dance, a ringette goalie’s grit, and a chance UK scholarship reshaped her technique and career trajectory. She walks us through So You Think You Can Dance Canada, cruise ships, and ultimately headlining as the Black Widow in Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère. Corynne opens up about saying “no” until the right “yes,” rehabbing a hip surgery, balancing mo...

Interview Date: December 14th, 2024

Episode Summary:

Vanessa Fuller, a dancer, choreographer, and the artistic director of Xcape Dance Company. Vanessa shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Eugene, Oregon, to becoming a multifaceted professional in the dance industry. She discusses her extensive career, including working with artists like E-40 and Twista, and her recent appearance on HBO Max’s Second Chance Stage. The show,...

Interview Date: May 11th, 2025

Houston Ballet soloist Jacquelyn Long traces her path from living-room pliés with her mom (a former pro) to summer intensives, HBII, and the main company. She shares how relationships and coachability shaped her trajectory, why modern/contemporary versatility now matters as much as classical technique, and how social media helps—but shouldn’t replace—the messy, vital process. We dig into audition m...

Interview Date: May 4th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Australian dancer–choreographer–TV judge Joshua Horner traces his wildly diverse path: asthma kid → Australian Ballet soloist → West End lead in Movin’ Out → Broadway’s Billy Elliot → Disney creative in Los Angeles → Dancing With The Stars judge → reality-TV creator → and finally, a show-stopping pivot into real estate where he sells homes with full theatrical flair. Along the way he unp...

Interview Date: September 21st, 2025

Episode Summary:In this inspiring conversation, Menina Fortunato sits down with Julie McDonald, the trailblazing co-founder of MSA Agency and the first dance agent in history. Julie shares her incredible journey from professional dancer to industry visionary—representing some of the biggest names in choreography and performance.She reflects on the evolution of the commercial dance world, the impo...

Interview Date: June 29th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Menina welcomes actor–dancer Rachele Brooke Smith for a candid ride from fearful gymnast to leading roles in Center Stage: Turn It Up, Bring It On, Iron Man 2, and a new superhero film. Rachele unpacks visualization, journaling, and “do the brave thing” as career fuel; navigating post-win lows; rehabbing injuries with PT, anti-inflammatory nutrition, rest, and affirmations; and how ver...

Interview Date: April 13th, 2025

Episode Summary:

International choreographer, aerialist, and performer Johanna Sapakie (Cirque du Soleil, Super Bowl LIV with Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers, Dita Las Vegas) drops a masterclass in longevity and reinvention. From creating her own “scholarship program” after a studio closed, to bold networking that led to her first agent within months, Johanna shows how resourcefulness plus relentless trainin...