The Business of Dance

Episode Summary: 

Renée Marino provides an engaging and insightful discussion about her journey in the entertainment industry, touching on themes of communication, perseverance, and entrepreneurship. Renee began dancing at the age of 3 and continued to nurture her passion for the arts through college, eventually landing her first professional role as a lead singer and dancer in a casino show. Despite facing thousands of rejections,...

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Susan Salgado, a seasoned casting director and producer, offers a wealth of knowledge on navigating the dance industry from her initial steps in the Philippines to her influential role in Los Angeles. Susan's journey, marked by a transition from dancer to industry insider, highlights her 10-year career in casting for reality TV shows and her efforts to bridge opportunities for local dancers through intensives ...

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Jayme Rae Dailey provides a captivating look into her life and career trajectory from Montreal to Los Angeles, where she established herself as a top commercial dancer. Having worked with A-list celebrities like Chris Brown, Demi Lovato, and Jennifer Lopez, Jayme shares her transformative experiences in the dance world, including her audition for "You Think You Can Dance Canada," which opened doors and se...

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Meisha Goetz, a seasoned professional and current director of the dance department at Clear Talent Group, shares her comprehensive journey and insights into the dance industry. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Meisha started dancing at the age of three and eventually transitioned from a performer to a significant player on the business side of dance.

Throughout the episode, Meisha discusses the evolution of her car...

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Lucas McFarlane, a seasoned dance professional, shares his journey from Calgary to becoming a prominent figure in London's dance scene. Lucas discusses his early training in Calgary, his move to London at 18 without connections, and his rapid ascent, including winning a “Got to Dance” - a TV show that propelled him to fame in the UK.

The conversation highlights the unique opportunities and challenges within th...

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Heather Laura Gray recounts her evolution in dance, tracing back to her family's influence and the decisive moments that shaped her path. Heather shares tales of overcoming adversity and self-doubt during her rigorous ballet training and the subsequent transition to a broader performing arts career in Toronto. 

Emphasizing the power of versatility, Heather discusses expanding her repertoire beyond dance to sing...

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We explore the journey of JJ Villar, a dancer turned motivational speaker and life coach. JJ recounts how dance served as a sanctuary and later became his driving force, and how he now applies his understanding of the human psyche to help others achieve greatness.

JJ imparts crucial advice about self-worth and integrity in one's career, highlighting the value of investing in mentorship and self-improvement. He ...

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Jessica's story begins with her humble & late start in New York City at 19, where she discovered her passion for dance and forged meaningful connections within the dance community. Despite initially navigating the industry without an agent, Jessica's talent and perseverance led her to work with esteemed choreographers like Tina Landon and Hi Hat, paving the way for her growth as a dancer.

As Jessica ref...

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Anastasia Miller Burns offers a captivating narrative of her journey through the dance industry trenches. From her humble beginnings in studio competitions to her tenure as a talent agent and publisher, she shares invaluable insights into the multifaceted world of dance careers.

The episode kicks off with Anastasia delving into the nuances of dance industry career development, providing a roadmap for aspiring danc...

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In this episode, Angela Elgani shares her insights into the dance industry, emphasizing the significance of networking. Starting as an eager newcomer to the dance scene, Angela recounts her journey of attending events and classes to forge key connections. She reflects on the thrilling yet demanding nature of her first tour and provides practical tips for dancers to stand out in auditions, highlighting the necessity...

Olivia Alboher and Avery Gay offer an intimate look into their dance journeys, navigating through the challenges and triumphs of the industry. Olivia's early start in Broadway at 10 and her journey to creating dance content on TikTok gaining popularity and becoming a star. Avery started dancing in mommy class, then trained at the most prestigious ballet schools and competed on NBC’s World of Dance and So You Think You Can Dance...

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Clifford McGhee shares his remarkable journey from a dancer with no formal training to performing with icons like Usher, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, Genuwine and Will Smith. Despite facing challenges such as lack of family support and financial resources, McGhee's determination propelled him forward.

He recounts his own struggles in pursuing a dance career, including a 36-hour one wa...

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In this episode of the Business of Dance podcast, host James Coons, a senior agent at Bloc Talent Agency, delves into his personal journey and insights into the dance industry. Coons reflects on his transition from a sports-oriented upbringing in Kentucky to discovering his passion for musical theater in high school, leading him to extensive travel with Disney and eventually to a fulfilling career as a dance agent.

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Professional dancer and choreographer Anthony Carr shares insights from his career journey. Anthony's dance path began at age four, guided by his mother's influence as a dancer. He transitioned from ballet to hip hop, finding solace and freedom in the latter despite initial setbacks. 

He reflects on his experiences in various dance schools and becoming an associate choreographer of The Wiz in NYC, emph...

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In this Business of Dance podcast episode, Mic Thompson, shares his extensive career journey. Starting with ballroom dancing, Thompson progressed to TV shows, Las Vegas performances, and a memorable impromptu gig in South Africa. 

He recounts his path from working with Debbie Allen on the tv show “Fame” to becoming a main choreographer after starting as a Disney performer. A key episode highlight is Thompson&#...

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On "Business of Dance," Amy Allen details her journey from Britney Spears's audition hopeful to celebrated choreographer for A-listers like Usher. Starting as a Laker girl at 17, she swiftly broke into the LA dance scene. Her fusion of ballet with commercial dance catapulted her to tour with Beyoncé and later to choreograph for major acts.

Allen opens up about the hurdles of injury and the import...

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In this engaging podcast, Menina Fortunato interviews Brandon Sierra about the nuances of professional dancing. Brandon, with his extensive background, discusses the crucial role authenticity plays in a dancer's career, particularly when finding representation. He addresses the difficulties for families who can't afford the costs of auditions and the importance of following instructions for self-tape submis...

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In this enlightening podcast episode, Vincent Paterson narrates his illustrious career, detailing his collaborations with Michael Jackson and Madonna. He reminisces about being cast as the gang leader in Jackson's "Beat It" video and their subsequent partnership. Vincent highlights the creative liberties Jackson afforded him, which culminated in the iconic "Smooth Criminal" lean and revolu...

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In this enriching podcast episode, we explore the dance world with Tammy To, a seasoned performer with a family legacy in dance. Tammy shares her personal dance journey, from formative family influences to the hurdles she's overcome in her extensive career.

Tammy highlights the critical role of mentorship, describing the significant impact her mentors had on her development and how she now mentors upcoming tale...