THE BUSINESS
OF DANCE
THE BUSINESS
OF DANCE
Are You a Dancer or a Dance Parent with Big Dreams of a Dance Career?
Have you ever wondered how to turn your passion for dance into a successful, sustainable career?
Do you feel unsure of the next steps to take? If so, you’re in the right place.
VIDEO TESTIMONIALS
TESTIMONIALS
“Menina introduced me to my American agents: Go 2 Talent Agency.
It is with her experience and reputation that I was able to meet and be connected to many leading choreographers and dancers in the industry. This all helped jump start my dance career in America. She has the knowledge and knows first hand what it takes to progress to the next level of your career. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor..
Credits: De scendants 2-3, Step Up, AMAs w/ Taylor Swift, BET Awards, J Lo
Teya Wild
"I think that what you're doing, Menina, is incredible. And likewise, in what I'm doing in my programming, I feel like it really comes from the heart space of really wanting to help because we've been there and it's possible. Really knowing that whatever you put your mind to, you truly can do. There will be obstacles, and you will get through them, and you can do hard things."
Stacey Tookey
Emmy nominated Choreographer from So You Think You Can Dance
“Well, for starters, without Menina, I would have never even realized that I wanted to have a professional dance career. The networking connections Menina has made available to me have opened the door to my dance career in the U.S. and abroad. I would not be where I am today without Menina’s mentorship!”
Credits: Universal Dance Awards, VOX NFT with Kida The Great
Music Videos at Universal Studios & Paramount Studios
Olivia Kula
“My very first website was designed by Menina! I remember her taking the time to sit with me, listen to me and make sure to create something that truly represented who I was. This was an important step for me as I was first starting out my career in the U.S. as a professional dancer.
Credits: The Masked Singer, SYTYCD, Lizzo, World of Dance, BET Awards
Mel Charlot
“Menina was an instrumental resource during my transition from Canada to working professionally in LA. Her guidance and knowledge on the U.S. working visa process was invaluable to me as I navigated this new path for the first time! Thank you Menina!
❤️
You are the best! Thanks for all that you have helped me with in my career ❤️
Credits: Tate McCrae, Selena Gomez, The American Music Awards, The Voice, XFactor, MTV VMA’s, The Academy Awards, The BET Awards, MTV Video Awards, Dancing With The Stars, The Billboard Awardsds
Michelle Dawley
“Menina helped me build my very first website when I decided to start my professional career.
Menina has an endless amount of experience in the industry and knows the ins and outs of what it takes to succeed at a professional international level.
Credits: The BillBoard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Latin Grammys, SOUL TRAIN Awards, Latin AMA's, BET Awards, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, Chris Brown, Ricky Martin, Pharell, Meghan Trainor, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Prince, Keyshia Cole, Gwen Stefani
Jenny Dailey
“I have known Menina for many years and she has helped me immensely with getting my first O-1 visa.
Menina also taught me so much about working in the industry and applying for a visa! This career choice is lot of work but with dedication and a little help from a friendly face, you will learn everything you need to know!
Credits: Jennifer Lopez, Super Bowl Half Time Show, TLC, Pussycat Dolls
Alisha Tallarico
Menina Fortunato and I over the years have developed a strong working relationship. Without her assistance in writing immigration letters and connecting me with an immigration lawyer I wouldn’t have have been able to dance on the world stages I did.
Credits: Cirque du Soleil, Descendants 3, Shania Twain, Meghan Trainor
Chippendales Series on Disney
Kevin Mylrea
Menina designed my first website and set me up with a headshot photoshoot where I got stunning headshots for dancing and acting auditions. Thanks to her, I signed with McDonald Selznick & Associates (MSA), one of the biggest dance agencies in Los Angeles!
Menina's help with branding continued to help me reach a larger audience when I booked a large series regular role on a popular kids' network show. Thus, without receiving her top-notch guidance in networking and social media marketing, I don't think I would've had the resources I needed to get my name and talent out there!
Credits: Incredible Crew with Nick Cannon, American Horror Story
Sauna Case
“Menina introduced me to the professional dance industry that taught me so much more than dance. She taught me that we are our own business, and that this industry goes so much further than talent.
Menina helped me create a successful relationship with my first agency, da Costa talent. Through helpful advice and a professional reference, she assisted in getting me signed.”
Credits: Descendants 2, Royal Caribbean Cruises,
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Lauren Denysek
"You've had such a huge influence on me. I just love how you always thought about dance as more than just what everyone else was doing. You really blazed a trail. I really don't think I would be doing what I'm doing if I didn't have examples like you."
Credits: House of Jazz UK, The Voice, Lenny Kravitz, Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado, Netflix's Dance Monsters
Christie Lee Manning
Hosted by
MENINA FORTUNATO
Boasts a remarkable three-decade tenure in the dance industry and now the founder of The Business of Dance online mentorship program and podcast host.
Menina's magnetic presence has captivated audiences worldwide through her appearances on prominent television shows and films, including America's Got Talent, Latin American Music Awards, Star Trek: Enterprise, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Guys Choice Awards, Alias, MAD TV, Blue Collar TV, Poseidon, Spectacular, Kickin It Old Skool, and Celebrity Fit Club.
She has collaborated with a myriad of esteemed recording artists including...Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Paula Abdul, Maluma, Carmen Electra, P!nk, Fergie, Luke Bryan, Earth Wind & Fire, MC Hammer, Victoria Justice, William Hung, Rain, and Luis Miguel, to name but a few.
Her creative prowess shone as she assumed roles such as associate choreographer for The X Factor, associate consulting producer on America's Got Talent, and executive producer for various music videos filmed at Universal Studios and Paramount Studios.
Her exceptional industry insight earned her a coveted spot as a guest judge on the acclaimed TV show DANCE MOMS, where she adjudicated Maddie Ziegler, Kalani Hilliker, Kendall Vertes, Mackenzie Ziegler, and JoJo Siwa, among others.