The Business of Dance

Interview Date: February 15, 2026

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato sits down with New York City-based dancer and content creator Melissa Becraft to unpack the persistence, creativity, and unexpected opportunities behind her career. Melissa shares how she started dancing at 12, moved from South Carolina to New York City at 18, and spent four years auditioning while booking only one professional dance job before finally landing a spot with the NBA Brooklynettes. That opportunity became a major turning point, leading to six seasons with the team, including four as captain.
When the pandemic paused live performances, Melissa turned to social media as a creative outlet. What began as a TikTok account with zero followers quickly exploded, reaching 950,000 followers in eight months. She shares how recreating movie scenes, music videos, characters, and decades helped her build a recognizable creative identity and eventually turn dance content into a viable business through brand partnerships. She also gets candid about influencer rates, from early $500 videos to a $35,000 short-form campaign, while comparing the earning potential of content creation to traditional professional dance jobs.
Throughout the episode and mentee Q&A, Melissa offers practical advice on confidence, versatility, performance quality, audition preparation, social media safety, time management, and overcoming comparison. Her story is a reminder that success rarely happens overnight—and that dancers do not have to be the “best” person in the room to build a thriving career.
SHOW NOTES
02:47 – Melissa’s dance journey from South Carolina
03:28 – Moving to New York at eighteen
04:40 – Four years of auditions and rejection
06:20 – Auditioning for the NBA Brooklynettes
07:05 – Six seasons and becoming team captain
09:08 – Pandemic sparks Melissa’s social media journey
10:48 – Reaching 950,000 followers in eight months
13:31 – Turning social media into paid partnerships
15:45 – Breaking down influencer income potential
18:10 – Performing with BLACKPINK at the VMAs
21:07 – Q&A: Building confidence and overcoming comparison
24:32 – Q&A: Why tricks don’t define dancers
29:22 – Q&A: Creating safe, professional dance content
33:26 – Q&A: Performance quality that books jobs
39:08 – Turning your dancing into a business
ABOUT MELISSA
Melissa Becraft is a dancer and content creator based in New York City. She began her career with the NBA Brooklynettes, later becoming captain and choreographer. Her credits include the VMAs with BLACKPINK, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. She has built an audience of more than 3.5 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube and created dance content for Disney, Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Kate Spade.
CONNECT WITH MELISSA
Instagram — @melissabecraft

Interview Date: August 16th
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato sits down with Los Angeles-based performer, choreographer, acrobat, and educator Joey Vice to explore the unconventional path that took him from a young competitive dancer in Ohio to performing his dream role with Cirque du Soleil. Joey shares how he transitioned from soccer to dance, developed a strong technical foundation in ballet and jazz, and independently expanded into contemporary and acro. By 12, he had already set his sights on Cirque, studying its artists, training methods, and performance style in preparation for the career he wanted.
That preparation paid off when Cirque du Soleil contacted Joey at just 18 years old and ultimately cast him in KOOZA. He opens up about the elaborate makeup process, the physical demands of touring, performing up to 10 shows per week, and developing the acting, improvisation, stamina, and versatility required of a Cirque artist. After two years on tour, Joey chose to step away from his childhood dream job to explore the broader dance industry and eventually relocated to Los Angeles.
Joey also takes listeners behind the scenes of his transition into television and commercial work, including being discovered through social media for BalletRED and appearing on Netflix’s Star Search. During the mentee Q&A, he shares advice on strengthening acro technique, overcoming fear, researching who you audition for, embracing individuality, and continuing to train. His message throughout the episode is to stay curious, work hard, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who are pursuing similar goals.
Shownotes:
03:56 – From soccer player to passionate dancer
06:00 – Building his unique acro-contemporary style
09:06 – Training specifically for a Cirque career
12:08 – Booking his dream job at eighteen
14:23 – Learning Cirque’s elaborate makeup process
19:13 – Inside life performing with Cirque
25:03 – The unexpected realities of touring young
28:54 – Transitioning from Cirque to Los Angeles
29:20 – Social media opens the Star Search door
30:37 – Eight months preparing for BalletRED
33:26 – Behind the scenes of live television
43:03 – Q&A begins with aspiring dancers
46:59 – Q&A: Strengthening and improving acro technique
53:39 – Q&A: Research who you audition for
1:03:32 – Final advice: Keep training and asking questions
Biography:
Joey Vice is a versatile performer and choreographer who has been making waves in the dance industry since his teenage years. At just 18, his exceptional talent and dedication led him to become the lead role in Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA.
Now based in Los Angeles, Joey works as a freelance choreographer, teacher, and performer, creating innovative choreography and jaw-dropping tricks. His career has included performing in music videos for artists such as 070 Shake, Marina, and Vana, and most recently appearing on Netflix’s Star Search with BalletRED.
Joey is currently on faculty at Millennium Dance Complex and has worked as a teacher and choreographer for Joffrey Ballet School. Joey’s mission is to push the boundaries of dance while inspiring the next generation of artists through creativity, athleticism, and passion for performance.
Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeythedancer/

Interview Date: August 9th, 2026
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato sits down with Canadian choreographer Alex Francoeur to trace the journey that took him from a nine-year-old boy reluctantly entering his first hip-hop class in Quebec to building a full-time career across performance, choreography, television, live production, and entrepreneurship. Alex shares how early professional opportunities showed him that dance could become a real career, eventually leading him from Montreal to Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors, relationships, O-1 visa journey, and willingness to take risks that shaped his path.
Alex also opens up about the major turning points that redirected his career, including Révolution, receiving a Golden Buzzer on France’s Got Talent, and discovering his voice as a choreographer and creative leader. He explains why genuine relationships matter just as much as talent, how assisting choreographers for years unknowingly prepared him to lead, and why defining success on your own terms can completely change your trajectory.
The conversation dives into one of Alex’s biggest projects yet: serving as head choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, including the massive audition and rehearsal process behind the production. During the Q&A, Alex shares valuable advice about auditions, skeleton crews, networking, personal branding, leveraging opportunities, and treating yourself like a business. Above all, he encourages dancers to enjoy the journey, stay curious, build meaningful relationships, and recognize that every experience is preparing them for what comes next.
Shownotes:
00:42 – Starting dance at nine in Quebec
05:09 – Discovering dance could become a career
10:28 – Relationships that led to FIFA World Cup
15:14 – Taking a one-way chance on Los Angeles
18:04 – Révolution performance changes Alex’s career
20:11 – Becoming his own brand and business
22:29 – Unexpected transition from dancer to choreographer
25:51 – Building an international dance convention company
28:21 – Defining success on your own terms
32:09 – Choreographing FIFA with 125 dancers
35:16 – Inside the massive FIFA audition process
54:04 – Q&A: Why skeleton crews create opportunities
57:43 – Q&A: Receiving the life-changing FIFA call
1:05:13 – Q&A: Treating yourself like a business
1:11:16 – Final advice: Believe and enjoy the journey
Biography:
Alex Francoeur is a Canadian choreographer who creates large-scale movement for the world’s biggest stages — from sold-out arenas to global broadcast events reaching millions of viewers.
With more than 100 television episodes to his name and live productions staged before crowds exceeding 100,000 spectators, Alex has built a reputation for choreography that merges precision, storytelling, and raw emotional impact. His work doesn’t just fill a stage — it commands it.
His international profile surged after receiving a Golden Buzzer on France’s Got Talent, a breakthrough that brought his singular artistic vision to audiences far beyond Canada. That vision — rooted in authenticity and human connection — is what consistently earns him trust from the industry’s most demanding productions.
Alex has recently served as the Head Choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, cementing his standing among the elite creators shaping how the world experiences live performance. His work spans productions across Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_francoeur/
Website: https://alexfrancoeur.ca/

Interview Date: July 26th, 2026
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato reconnects with Hollywood Summer Tour alum Angelica Valente, whose journey has taken her from competitive dancer in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to an LA-based director, producer, fashion designer, and creative entrepreneur. Angelica shares how an early trip to Los Angeles changed the trajectory of her life, eventually inspiring her to move to LA at 17 to study dance. While pursuing a professional dance career, her interests in fashion, film, editing, styling, and creative direction began opening doors she never originally imagined.
Angelica opens up about navigating the entertainment industry as an international artist, from OPT and the O-1 visa process to developing the work ethic, resourcefulness, and relationships necessary to build a career in the United States. She shares how she co-founded Spaced Visuals, grew from working with emerging artists to major productions, and eventually launched her own fashion label, VALENTE. Today, her worlds of dance, film, fashion, and creative direction intersect through productions, campaigns, custom stagewear, and visual storytelling.
Throughout the conversation and mentee Q&A, Angelica encourages dancers to remain open to where their careers can lead, take risks before they feel completely ready, and create opportunities rather than waiting for permission. Her journey is a powerful reminder that dance can be the foundation for countless careers beyond performing—and that the skills dancers develop can continue shaping their success in unexpected ways.
Shownotes:
0:00 – Meet director and designer Angelica Valente
3:23 – Growing up dancing in Thunder Bay
5:15 – Discovering Los Angeles and dreaming bigger
8:06 – Expanding from dance into creative direction
9:28 – Film, editing, fashion spark new passions
11:36 – Navigating OPT and the O-1 visa
17:42 – Building Spaced Visuals from the ground up
19:26 – Launching VALENTE and learning fashion independently
21:19 – Designing custom stagewear for KATSEYE
24:33 – Recognizing how far you have come
26:32 – Taking risks before you feel ready
28:45 – How dance strengthens creative direction skills
33:14 – Q&A: Dreaming beyond what you can see
38:40 – Q&A: Create your own career opportunities
47:21 – Exploring careers beyond being the performer
Biography:
Angelica Valente is a director and fashion designer based in Los Angeles. She is the co-founder of Spaced Visuals, a multidisciplinary creative studio known for crafting cinematic campaigns, music videos, and visual identities for artists and global brands including Usher, Chris Brown, Megan Thee Stallion, Meghan Trainor, GIVĒON, Masego, PUMA, Coca-Cola, TikTok, 100 Thieves, and SoundCloud.
Alongside her production work, Angelica is the founder and creative director of VALENTE, a luxury fashion label recognized for its sculptural silhouettes, cinematic storytelling, and handcrafted collections. Since launching in 2021, VALENTE has designed custom stagewear for KATSEYE, with pieces worn during major appearances including the GRAMMYs, as well as custom looks for Paris Hilton. Her designs have also been worn by Jordin Sparks, Tori Kelly on Good Morning America, Rhea Raj, WNBA champion Jackie Young, and Atsuko Okatsuka for the Emmy Awards.
Whether directing a campaign, designing a collection, or shaping an artist’s creative era, Angelica brings together film, fashion, and brand strategy to create immersive visual identities that live seamlessly across multiple mediums. Her work is defined by bold creative direction, cinematic storytelling, and a relentless focus on crafting ideas that leave a lasting cultural impression.
Connect on Social Media:
Website:
www.spacedvisuals.com
www.valenteworld.com
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/angelicavalente_
www.instagram.com/spacedvisuals
www.instagram.com/valenteworld_

Interview Date: August 2nd, 2026
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato sits down with legendary B-boy, choreographer, creative producer, and three-time World Champion Ivan “Flipz” Velez for a conversation about building a career that lasts.
Ivan shares his journey from discovering breaking and pursuing his passion in New York to becoming a professional dancer, touring internationally, working across major dance films, performing at the Olympics, and eventually expanding his career into choreography, casting, producing, stunt work, and motion capture.
Beyond the credits, Ivan gets candid about the qualities that have sustained his career: professionalism, humility, kindness, preparation, persistence, and being willing to help others. He explains why being the most talented dancer in the room isn't enough and how reputation, relationships, representation, and consistently showing up prepared can create opportunities for decades.
The conversation also explores agents, managers, publicists, personal branding, social media, and the importance of putting yourself and your work out into the world—even before you feel completely ready. Ivan reminds dancers that their individual talent deserves to be seen and that there is room for everyone to succeed.
During the mentee Q&A, Ivan shares lessons from decades in breaking, including resilience, humility, navigating injuries, and continuing to evolve. His story is a powerful example of how dance can become the vehicle to an entire career in entertainment when artists refuse to limit themselves to a single title.
Shownotes:
00:00 — Meet legendary B-boy Ivan “Flipz” Velez
08:31 — Chasing breaking’s roots all the way to NYC
09:25 — Betting on himself before booking Honey
24:40 — Reflecting on decades of unforgettable career milestones
26:43 — Why helping others can shape your career
30:20 — Professionalism becomes the secret to career longevity
31:02 — Staying humble when someone is always better
40:16 — How representation helped protect and elevate him
44:31 — Building the agent-manager-publicist dream team
48:56 — Understanding publicity as an investment in yourself
54:38 — Put yourself out there before you’re ready
1:13:00 — What breaking taught Ivan about life
1:14:43 — The physical sacrifices behind a breaking career
1:16:25 — Passion and persistence through major injuries
1:23:37 — Commit, execute, and never limit your possibilities
Biography:
Ivan “Flipz” Velez is a host, choreographer, creative producer, three-time World Champion, and renowned B-boy who began his career as a dancer and stunt performer.
Throughout his career, Ivan has toured the world with top international music icons and acted and danced in major dance films spanning the past two decades. He is also the founder of the internationally recognized Skill Methodz Crew, one of the most elite and legendary B-boy crews in the world.
Ivan continues to act in film and on stage while performing and creating across commercial projects. His infectious positive energy, endless creativity, and commitment to excellence have established him as more than an exceptional performer—he has become a trusted collaborator and creative force across entertainment.
Having built his career around his unique style, inventiveness, and out-of-the-box thinking, Ivan has carried that same creativity behind the camera, expanding his work into choreography, casting, and producing.
“See the INVISIBLE… can do the IMPOSSIBLE.” — Ivan “Flipz” Velez

https://www.instagram.com/ivanflipzvelez?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=2i6wdlr5giti

Website: https://www.ivan-flipz-velez.com/