The Business of Dance

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...

Interview Date: April 6th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Eseniia is an 8-year-old dance prodigy originally from Moscow, now performing and training in the U.S., who rose to international attention after viral clips and a standout run on America’s Got Talent. In this episode Eseniia  joins the Business of Dance with her parents—both dancers and teachers—to trace how a family training method, early multistyle exposure, and fearless play helped...

Interview Date: March 30th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Florida-based trademark and contract attorney Kayla Moran joins the Business of Dance to bridge two worlds: the discipline of competitive dance and the realities of creator-economy law. Raised in Miami in a Cuban-Ecuadorian family and trained for 15+ years across ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop, Kayla shares how a teacher’s challenge—“Don’t be a space filler”—became a life mant...

Interview Date: March 23rd, 2025

Episode Summary:

This episode spotlights Robert Garland, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH)—former principal dancer, DTH’s first resident choreographer, and a Juilliard BFA graduate. Beyond the concert stage, Garland’s work spans New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Oakland Ballet, and commercial projects from Sesame Street to Nike and the NAACP Image Awards.Garland traces DTH’s roo...

Interview date: March 9th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Melissa McGhee, Head Coach of The Ohio State University Dance Team and owner of Lineage Dance Company. With 13 national championships and nearly two decades of experience, Melissa is a leading figure in the collegiate dance world.

Melissa shares her journey from a young studio dancer in Toledo, Ohio, to becoming OSU’s head coach right after graduation, and later, a studio owner. She off...

Interview Date: February 16th, 2025

Episode Summary:

This episode features Khalid Freeman—body percussionist, choreographer, and field team director—known for merging musicianship and movement. A veteran of STOMP (nine years), Cirque du Soleil, and five Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Khalid translates drummer-level musicality onto the body, treating the performer as the instrument itself.

Khalid retraces his path from tap (inspired by Gr...

Interview Date: February 2nd, 2025

Episode Summary:

Jason Pickett, a dance educator, choreographer, and the creator of the No Starving Artists brand. Jason shares his unique journey, from starting his dance career at 14 by self-teaching and getting inspired by YouTube and movies, to now traveling the world teaching at conventions and judging competitions.

He emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships, networking, and ...

Interview Date: January 26th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Rebecca Lampiasi, a dance agent at CESD in New York City. Rebecca shares her journey from growing up in a family of artists in New Jersey to discovering her true passion for supporting artists during her time at NYU Tisch. Initially involved in theater and acting, Rebecca shifted her focus to agency work, starting at a commercial casting office before joining CESD. She discusses her...

Interview Date: January 5th, 2025

Episode Summary:

Larke Hasstedt, a talented dancer who transitioned from classical ballet to the commercial dance world. Larke, who was born into a dance family, began her training at a young age and eventually joined prestigious ballet companies like Pacific Northwest Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theater. However, her journey took a pivotal turn when she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in commer...

Interview Date: September 17th, 2023

Episode Summary:

Megan, a former rhythmic gymnast turned dancer, actress, and stunt performer. Megan’s journey from a national-level gymnast to a successful career in entertainment showcases the power of leveraging one’s skills in unexpected ways. Starting with rhythmic gymnastics at the age of nine, Megan became a national silver medalist before transitioning into dance while pursuing a business ...

Interview Date: October 1st, 2023

Episode Summary: Christie Lee Manning, a versatile dancer, choreographer, actress, and educator. Christie shares her journey from growing up on the West Coast of Canada to moving to London, where she established herself in both the commercial and theater dance scenes. With notable projects like Wicked, Dance Monsters, and her work with House of Jazz, she discusses the unique opportunities London...