The Business of Dance

Interview Date: March 1st, 2026
Episode Summary:
Ayesha Orange joins the Business of Dance to share her incredible journey from a late-starting dancer to one of the most versatile performers in the commercial dance world.
Starting as a cheerleader in California, Ayesha discovered dance at 17 and trained under legendary choreographer Marguerite Derricks at Tremaine Studios. Despite feeling behind technically, she pushed through self-doubt and quickly found herself working professionally, landing early credits including the film Austin Powers and touring internationally in the musical Fame.
Her career exploded as she toured the world with Earth, Wind & Fire and performed alongside major artists including Mariah Carey, Usher, Pink, and Jennifer Hudson. Ayesha shares behind-the-scenes stories from award shows, music videos, and television appearances, revealing the realities of working with artists and choreographers at the highest level of the industry.
Now working frequently as an associate choreographer and movement director, Ayesha discusses the transition from performer to creative collaborator. She opens up about confidence struggles, the importance of intuition, the realities of career highs and lows, and the power of simply showing up.
Her advice for the next generation of dancers highlights resilience, relationships, and the mindset needed to build a sustainable career in the dance industry.
Show notes:
0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Ayesha Orange
4:05 – Ayesha’s career highlights and early credits
7:14 – Touring with Earth, Wind & Fire memories
9:20 – Starting dance at 17 through cheerleading
11:35 – Training under Marguerite Derricks at Tremaine
15:52 – Deciding dance would become her career
19:03 – Alex Magno and key early mentorships
21:54 – First major job touring Fame in Germany
22:54 – Joining Earth, Wind & Fire world tour
28:20 – Favorite choreographers and creative process
32:55 – Working with Pink and artist professionalism
39:10 – Confidence struggles early in career
50:31 – Memorable AMA performance story
1:11:38 – Navigating career highs and dry spells
1:39:10 – Business advice: relationships and intuition
Biography:
AYESHA ORANGE is a prolific Dancer, Choreographer, and Movement Director with a career spanning nearly 30 years across the commercial and theatrical landscapes. Known as a versatile "chameleon" of movement, Ayesha’s reputation is built on her ability to execute any style and help bring any creative vision to life, regardless of the scale or medium.
Her journey began at 17 under the mentorship of Marguerite Derricks, training at the iconic Tremaine’s studio in North Hollywood. By 19, she had already secured her first film (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery), her first stage appearance at the Academy Awards, and her first professional residency. Her early career saw her touring Germany in Fame: The Musical and spending three years on a world tour with the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire.
As a performer, Ayesha has graced stages from Madison Square Garden to Caesars Palace, appearing with icons including Mariah Carey, Usher, Pink, and Jennifer Hudson. Her extensive credits include over 20 films, 40 music videos, and 60 television shows, including the Oscars, AMAs, and VMAs. Transitioning into leadership, she has served as an Associate Choreographer for global stars like Rihanna, The Weeknd, Sia, and Selena Gomez.
From 2023 to 2025 Ayesha served as the Rehearsal Director for the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC), where she bridges the gap between creative vision and technical execution. From world tours to burlesque, and from performing on-camera to guiding artists through their own movement language, Ayesha remains a foundational force in the dance community.
Connect on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/aorange/

Interview Date: February 22nd, 2026
Episode Summary:​​
In this interview, Maycee Steele shares how she went from being a Kansas City convention kid to building a sustained LA career—booking major moments like Taylor Swift (Billboard Music Awards), Doja Cat (Coachella), and working with J.Lo, before becoming widely recognized through Tate McRae’s tour. She breaks down what tour life actually looks like (buses, no hotels, arena call times), how relationships and reputation lead to direct bookings, and why branding (including her red hair era) can help you stand out—but only if the training and consistency back it up.
She also gives practical advice on moving to LA, networking, staying versatile, protecting your mental health on long jobs, and building multiple income streams through brand deals and social media representation (CAA)—plus the reality check that even at a high level, you may still have to audition (like she did for Demi Lovato).
Show notes:
0:00 — Official intro + major tour credits
8:02 — Convention circuit wins: Velocity + Radix
12:13 — Moving to LA with two-year deadline
13:01 — Assisting Kyle Hanagami; early LA grind
13:36 — First big break: Taylor Swift BBMAs
14:26 — Doja Cat Coachella career momentum
15:24 — Career peak pre-COVID slowdown
16:10 — Red hair branding strategy explained
18:16 — J.Lo era; reverting to brunette
20:18 — Booking Tate McRae tour process
23:38 — Tour chemistry + family dynamic
31:42 — Tour bus life + arena schedules
39:10 — Brand deals vs. tour income breakdown
Biography:
Maycee Steele is a Los Angeles based professional dancer from Kansas City known for her powerful stage presence and strong on camera performance quality. She has performed on The Oscars, The Grammys, the Billboard Music Awards, and the Latin American Music Awards.
Maycee has completed three major international arena tours, including the Think Later World Tour and the Miss Possessive Tour with Tate McRae, and a world tour with Maluma. She also recently booked the Demi Lovato Tour, further solidifying her status as a top tier commercial touring dancer.
Her music video credits include She’s All I Wanna Be and It’s Ok I’m Ok by Tate McRae, and No Broke Boys by Tinashe.
Throughout her career, she has performed alongside global artists including Jennifer Lopez, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, Maluma, and Dove Cameron. Maycee is also recognized for co creating the viral #CuffItChallenge, and she continues to expand her career across touring, television, film, and digital media.

https://www.instagram.com/mayceesteele/

Interview Date: February 1st, 2026
Episode Summary:
Broadway veteran Curt Hansen shares his journey from a quiet kid in small-town Wisconsin to starring on Broadway in Hairspray and spending eight years in Wicked as Fiyero. Along the way, he opens up about booking early, being recast from Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush, working alongside Ariana Grande before her pop superstardom, and learning how to handle the mental side of auditioning.
Now the founder of 567 Sing, Curt helps dancers become confident, audition-ready triple threats. In this episode, he breaks down practical strategies for choosing audition songs, building vocal strength, managing nerves, and balancing singing with intense dance schedules. It’s an honest, motivating conversation about preparation, resilience, and why singing “isn’t that deep”—if you do the work.
Shownotes:
0:00 – Welcome + how Curt and Menina connected through Instagram
9:15 – Small-town beginnings: choir sparks his performing path
11:29 – Open call breakthrough → booking Hairspray on Broadway
16:07 – Big Time Rush: cast, recast, and resilience
20:06 – Ariana Grande story + booking Wicked as Fiyero
22:23 – Eight years with Wicked: tours, Broadway, meeting his wife
27:18 – Why dancers must learn to sing (and how to start)
37:24 – Choosing an audition song + preparation strategy
1:00:00 – Balancing intense dance training with vocal goals
1:09:17 – Final advice: treat auditions like performances, not pressure
Biography: Curt Hansen is a Broadway performer with a 15-year professional career across theatre, television, and music. He’s appeared in Broadway shows including Hairspray as Link Larkin, Kinky Boots as Charlie Price, and Next to Normal opposite Tony Award winner Alice Ripley, and was also part of Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush. His biggest claim to fame, however, was starring as the Winkie Prince, Fiyero Tigelaar, in Wicked on Broadway.

After building his career as a true triple threat, Curt now helps dancers develop confident, reliable singing voices through his training platform, 567Sing — teaching singing the way dancers learn best: through structure, repetition, and performance-ready skills.
Connect on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/curt_hansen/

Interview Date: February 8th, 2026
Episode Summary:
In this powerful and entertaining episode of The Business of Dance, Menina Fortunato sits down with legendary casting director, choreographer, and creative producer Tony Gonzalez (Tony G).
With credits spanning the Bring It On franchise, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U,” Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale Tour, Wayne’s World, The Birdcage, The Masked Singer, and Kids Bop, Tony shares the real story behind his decades-long career in Hollywood.
From being told he was “too short” and “not the look,” to building an empire rooted in hustle and business savvy, Tony proves longevity comes from mindset—not just movement.
Tony dives deep into the difference between being talented and being bookable, why dancers must understand they are a business first, and how listening (ears before movement) is the true audition superpower. He unpacks pivotal career moments—including being fired from the first Bring It On film only to choreograph the next six installments—and how advocating for dancers’ pay shaped his reputation.
From TikTok virality (“Unk” with 315K+ followers) to creative directing large-scale productions, Tony reminds dancers that opportunity is everywhere—not just in LA or New York. This episode is perfect for dancers who want longevity, leadership, and a competitive edge in auditions, choreography, and beyond.
Shownotes:
(0:00) –  Intro to Tony G
(11:50) – Early roots: Soul Train to modern dance
(14:11) – Meeting Paula Abdul & industry breakthrough
(19:56) – Rejection from agents & pivot to choreography
(24:27) – Wayne’s World & Birdcage career milestones
(28:32) – Fired from Bring It On, built the franchise
(31:29) – Audition advice: ears first, then movement
(36:53) – Creative director vs. choreographer explained
(43:53) – TikTok fame: “Rooftop Tony” & 315K followers
(1:09:16) – Final message: you are the business
Biography:
With four decades of genre-shaping experience in entertainment, Tony Gonzalez—better known as Tony G—is a creative force in Hollywood. A casting director, acclaimed choreographer, creative director, and producer, his work spans dance, film, television, and music videos. Tony G has shaped movement and storytelling across more than 360 broadcast television commercials, iconic episodic and sitcom series including The Office, Community, Up All Night, and 3rd Rock from the Sun, as well as feature films such as Universal Pictures’ Bring It On franchise.

Known for capturing the essence of movement on screen, Tony G thrives in the moment—crafting, adjusting, and elevating choreography instantly on set. His passion for teaching while creating fuels collaboration and opportunity, resulting in bold staging, electric flow, and unforgettable visual storytelling. Whether on a film, television, commercial, or music video set, Tony G delivers precision, adaptability, and undeniable vibe.

Connect on Social Media:
Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/tonygcast/
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gfresh

Interview Date: January 11th, 2026
Episode Summary:
In this special two-part episode of The Business of Dance, Menina Fortunato sits down with rising professional dancer Jada Specht for an honest, real-time look at what it truly takes to build a career in today’s commercial dance industry. Joining the conversation directly from rehearsals and then again from home, Jada shares her journey from small-town beginnings to touring internationally with Jason Derulo, highlighting the discipline, adaptability, and mindset required to stay booked—and stay sane—on the road.
Across the Q&A, Jada offers practical insight into transitioning from the competition world into professional work, emphasizing diversified training, research, and preparation. She breaks down what actually makes a dancer valuable to major artist teams—beyond technique—including professionalism, kindness, reliability, and being someone others want to spend long days with on tour. The conversation also dives into audition strategy, how she got signed by an agent, the realities of re-auditioning while already on tour, and why showing up—even when not “picked”—can change everything.
The episode wraps with candid advice on finances, side hustles, self-care, recovery, and longevity. From warm-ups and flexibility to mindset, consistency, and treating your dance career like a full-time job, Jada’s story is both motivating and grounding. This episode is especially valuable for dancers preparing to move to LA, navigating auditions, or learning how to sustain momentum when bookings feel uncertain.
Shownotes:
(0:00) – Welcome + guest introduction
(4:52) – Behind rehearsals: re-auditioning while on tour
(7:30) – Transitioning from competition to professional dancer
(10:22) – Researching choreographers, artists, and decision-makers
(15:16) – What she’d change: training earlier, broader styles
(17:35) – What makes dancers valuable on major tours
(21:40) – Moving to LA: fear, readiness, and mindset shift
(29:58) – LA checklist: agent, headshots, demo reel, profiles
(36:34) – Side hustles, finances, and surviving between bookings
(45:43) – Recovery, self-care, and protecting your body
Biography:
Dancing for over 17 years and recently moving to LA to pursue her dreams, Jada Specht has assisted and trained under many industry choreographers that has led her to where she is today. She is currently on tour with Jason Derulo and has worked with artists such as Teyana Taylor, Nelly, Busta Rhymes.
Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadaspecht/