Interview date: May 19, 2025
Episode Summary:
Dan Galpern, CEO of Dance One, and Mike Minery, VP of Dance One. They discuss the creation and growth of Dance One, a leading organization in the dance industry that produces over 500 events annually through 21 brands. Dan shares how his background as a dance dad led him to invest in the dance industry, culminating in the formation of Dance One, which combines competition events, conventions, and educational opportunities for dancers. Mike, with his extensive experience as a tap dancer and choreographer, talks about his transition into an executive role and his work to bridge the artistic and business sides of the dance world. The episode highlights Dance One’s mission to elevate the dance community through world-class events, global expansion, and creating opportunities for dancers to develop both their skills and careers.
Show Notes:
(00:00) Introduction to today’s guests: Dan Galpern and Mike Minery from Dance One
(05:00) Dan’s journey into the dance industry and the creation of Dance One
(10:30) The merging of 21 dance brands to form Dance One and its impact on the industry
(15:00) Mike Minery’s background as a tap dancer and his transition into an executive role
(20:00) The vision behind Dance One’s global expansion and investment in dancer education
(25:30) How Dance One is enhancing its conventions with technology and innovative experiences
(30:00) The importance of combining artistic and business knowledge in building a successful dance career
(35:00) Dan and Mike’s insights on the future of ballroom dance with the launch of Ovation
(40:00) Creating opportunities for dancers in various industries beyond performance
(45:00) Advice for young dancers on building a sustainable career in dance
(50:00) The power of community and collaboration in the dance industry
(55:00) Closing thoughts from Dan and Mike on their roles in shaping the future of dance
(55:12) Conclusion of the episode and Menina’s closing remarks
Biography:
Mike Minery is a Vice President at DanceOne and Executive Director of DanceOne’s Break The Floor Tours. A New Jersey native, he has established himself as one of the finest tap dancers and choreographers working today. Most recently, Mike has been a top faculty member on JUMP for more than 20 years, including six as tour director. Additionally, he was named the 1997 World Tap Champion and was a recipient of a Princess Grace Dance Fellowship Award. He toured the world as a soloist with the internationally acclaimed Manhattan Tap company and has been featured at The Supper Club on Broadway, in the '40s revue This Joint is Jumping. He has also created his own tap company, "Tapaholics", which debuted at the famed Duke Theatre in New York City and has performed in countless theatres and on television as a feature guest on The Tony Danza Show.
Dan Galpern is the CEO of DanceOne, the premier producer of more than 500 yearly elite educational and competitive dance events and largest family of dance brands in the world. Before joining DanceOne, Dan was a senior partner at TZP Group, where he helped lead the initial strategic investments that created DanceOne in 2023. His extensive background includes his role as the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Strategy at CurtCo Media Labs, LLC, a holding company for the Robb Report Family of media brands, which Dan helped to expand from just two magazines to an international integrated media platform with fifteen media brands, producing over 60 live events annually, as well as his ongoing commitment to child welfare through his service as Chairman of the Board of Children’s Rights, Inc.
Connect on Social Media with Dance One:
https://www.instagram.com/danceone
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php
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