The Business of Dance

Episode Summary:

Juliana Spicoluk, a former dancer turned global wellness influencer. Juliana's journey from rhythmic gymnastics in Ukraine to the entertainment world and eventually to creating the Boho Beautiful brand is a testament to resilience, passion, and reinvention.

Juliana shares her personal story, from her beginnings in gymnastics and dance to her breakthrough with Boho Beautiful, which now boasts millions of subscribers a...

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Lauren Ritchie, a mental skills educator and dance teacher, to explore the importance of mental skills for dancers. Lauren shares her personal journey of transitioning from competitive dance to the professional world, where she faced challenges like identity struggles and an eating disorder. She discusses how her experience led her to develop expertise in mental performance and psychological well-being for dancers.

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Sherry Lin, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and professional dancer. Sherry discusses how dancers and athletes can fuel their bodies effectively to perform at their highest level without resorting to restrictive diets. She highlights the importance of developing a personalized fueling strategy, rather than following rigid meal plans, to ensure long-term energy, recovery, and optimal performance.

Sherry shares i...

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Galit Friedlander, a multi-talented professional dancer, choreographer, coach, and personal trainer. Galit shares her inspiring journey from growing up in New York City to becoming a successful industry professional. She discusses the challenges of pursuing a dance career, the importance of mental and physical fitness, and how to balance auditioning with training. Galit also talks about the value of cross-training f...

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Menina Fortunato talks with Jessa, a dancer, choreographer, and movement coach, about her journey from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Jessa reflects on how she transitioned from musical theater to dance, highlighting her persistence despite early struggles with technique. She discusses the challenges of moving to LA and obtaining a work visa, underscoring the importance of perseverance and networking in building a succes...

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Host Menina Fortunato reports live from the 10th Annual Gala of the Stars at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, a fundraiser supporting Dancers Against Cancer. The event brings together iconic figures from the dance community, including Paula Abdul, Brian Friedman, JoJo Siwa, and many others, all coming together to celebrate the power of dance and raise funds for a worthy cause.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) - Introduction to...

Episode Summary:

Caitlin Wheeler, a multifaceted dance professional with an impressive resume spanning creative direction, choreography, and event production. Originally from Australia, Caitlin has worked globally with top artists such as Drake, Adele, and T-Pain, and brands like Nike and Reebok. She shares insights into her journey from a dancer to a choreographer and creative director, emphasizing the importance of connections, st...

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Bree Hafen, the CEO and founder of the popular dancewear brand, Tiger Friday. Bree shares her journey in the dance world, from childhood dance classes to professional performances with Odyssey Dance Theater, and how her passion for fashion and dance led her to create Tiger Friday. Aiming to provide dancers with stylish, comfortable, and high-quality dancewear, Bree discusses the challenges she faced and how personal...

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B Girl Bonita, a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, and studio owner from Phoenix, Arizona. Bonita shares her unique journey from a traditional dance studio kid to a prominent figure in the hip-hop dance world. Her career highlights include dancing with major artists like Jason Derulo, P. Diddy, and the Black Eyed Peas, as well as performing on popular shows such as Dancing with the Stars and American Idol...

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Justin Corbo, a professional dancer, choreographer, content creator, and videographer. With over 3 million followers and 1 billion views across his social media platforms, Justin shares his journey from competitive figure skating in Montreal to becoming one of the most sought-after influencers and creatives in the dance industry.

Justin reveals how he transitioned into dance and, later, videography, learning everythi...

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Frank Gatson, a legendary choreographer with a career spanning decades. Frank shares his incredible journey in the dance world, beginning with his humble beginnings in Milwaukee, where he first discovered his love for dance. He reminisces about his early experiences, including dancing in "Smooth Criminal" with Michael Jackson, working with Beyoncé throughout her solo career, and choreographing iconic perfo...

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Chantal Robson, a choreographer, creative director, and producer with an impressive career working with pop icons like NSYNC, Britney Spears, Madonna, and Demi Lovato. Chantal shares her remarkable journey from Australia to the heart of the entertainment industry, offering invaluable insights into her evolution from a professional dancer to a leading figure in creative direction and production.

Chantal discusses her ...

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Chuck Maldonado, a highly sought-after choreographer and creative director. Chuck shares his inspiring journey from a late start in dance at the age of 29 to becoming a key figure in the industry. He reflects on his early experiences with street dance and formal training, which eventually led to his involvement in the Centennial Olympic Games, where he worked with legendary choreographer Kenny Ortega. Chuck also dis...

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Host Menina Fortunato takes listeners on the red carpet at the Industry Dance Awards. Featuring exclusive interviews with top dance industry professionals, award recipients, and performers, the episode highlights inspiring stories, career advice, and upcoming projects from some of the biggest names in dance. From honoring dance veterans to young rising stars, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring dancers and in...

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Megan, a Senior Talent Agent at McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA), to explore the world of dance representation. Megan shares her unique journey from being a dancer to becoming an agent and provides invaluable insights into what makes a successful client in the dance industry. She discusses the qualities MSA looks for in dancers, such as professionalism, strong communication, and the ability to respond quickly to ...

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Rachel Markarian, a versatile entertainment professional with an illustrious career as a dancer, choreographer, actor, and educator. Rachel takes us through her inspiring journey from her early struggles with ballet to becoming a seasoned artist working with industry legends like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and more. 

Rachel discusses her pivotal moments, from moving to New York at 15 to pursuing her career in Lo...

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Aliya Janell, a dancer, choreographer, and influencer who has made a major impact in the dance world. Known for her viral choreography videos, Aliya has worked with top artists like Beyoncé, Chris Brown, and Nicki Minaj. She takes us through her journey from a young hip hop dancer in L.A. to becoming an online sensation with millions of views on platforms like YouTube. 

Aliya discusses her early days training at Mi...

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Lucille DiCampli, a distinguished talent agent with over three decades of experience in the dance industry. Lucille’s career journey began as a recreational dancer, encouraged by her father to pursue ballet. Her passion led her to Los Angeles, where she transitioned into agenting after realizing her natural ability to advocate for dancers and choreographers. Lucille shares how she helped shape the landscape for dan...

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Menina Fortunato interviews Jonathan George, CEO of Unleash Your Rockstar, a personal branding expert. Jonathan shares his journey from the music industry to becoming a branding specialist, helping clients gain over 150 million online followers. He emphasizes that talent alone isn’t enough; branding that talent is key to success.

Jonathan provides valuable advice for dancers on using social media to build a persona...