Podcast Summary: The Leadership Dance – Ep. 24: Inside the World of Commercial Dance, with Angela Elgani
Host: Alissa Hsu Lynch | Guest: Angela Elgani | Date: September 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the dynamic world of commercial dance through the eyes of Angela Elgani, a renowned dancer and mentor with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Host Alissa Hsu Lynch and Angela cover Angela’s journey from childhood passion to global tours with pop music legends, her transition to coaching, and the valuable leadership and life lessons learned along the way. The discussion also explores the challenges of the dance business, personal resilience, and how dancers today can prepare for sustainable careers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Angela’s Dance Beginnings and Early Influences

• Angela’s passion for dance from infancy
  • Started dancing at 2½ years old; constantly performed for her family ([02:09]).
  • "It just seemed like that was always meant to be. I guess I always wanted to be on the stage." – Angela ([02:16])
• Diverse early training:
  • Began with jazz, tap, and ballet, gradually mastering more advanced techniques ([02:33]).

Becoming a Professional Dancer

• Pop culture’s influence:
  • “I was seeing more, like, music videos and tours ... and they were more mainstream in, like, what we call the pop mainstream lane. And I was just really excited by all of that.” – Angela ([03:25])
  • Inspired by artists like MC Hammer, Paula Abdul, and shows like In Living Color ([04:08]).
• The hustle and progression:
  • “I just tried to make myself a force that couldn't be reckoned with.” – Angela ([04:56])
  • Competed, attended workshops, always learning from better dancers.

The Audition Process & Agent Experience

• Getting noticed without social media:
  • Found auditions through dance schools (Edge Performing Arts, Tremaine Dance), word-of-mouth ([05:29]).
  • Had to audition for agents in person; contrasts with today’s video submissions and digital presence.

Touring & Stage Performance

• Backstreet Boys “Into the Millennium” tour – her breakthrough
  • “My very first world tour was with Backstreet Boys. ... That was a huge learning curve.” ([06:57], [07:22])
  • On-the-job, learned to amplify energy massively for arena crowds of 80,000–100,000 ([08:14]).
  • “They need to see you up in the rafters. They need to feel that energy on the stage. Otherwise you will look very small.” – Angela ([09:10])
• Stage vs. camera:
  • Stage performance requires projecting energy and movement, unlike the smaller, detailed movement styles in TikTok or film ([08:14]).
  • Need for unwavering focus amid intense distractions—audience, technical effects, continuous visibility ([10:22]).

Film Work & Technical Shifts

• Transitioning to film:
  • Filming is physically and mentally demanding: “It could possibly be days, weeks and days could be 20 hour days, 18 hour days, you know, of being able and ready to turn it on and be at that high, high level within the call of a dime.” – Angela ([13:50])
  • Movement, expression more subdued and nuanced for cameras compared to live performance.
  • Film often requires many takes, with a single dancer’s mistake leading to re-shoots ([16:30]).

Leadership & Life Lessons from Dance

• The power of the “pivot”:
  • “Sometimes you have to pivot. … The easier, if you can do that at certain points in your life, I think the easier your life will be.” – Angela ([17:19])
• Stamina and sustained focus:
  • Building mental and physical endurance is crucial both on stage and in entrepreneurship.
  • Staying motivated and excited through ups and downs ensures longevity and success ([18:44]).

Coping with Personal Loss & Transformation

• Loss and rebuilding:
  • Angela lost her husband in 2013, just before the birth of their daughter.
  • Moving back home and rebuilding her life from “almost nothing”—likened to losing everything in a fire ([20:15]).
  • “It was almost like everything had just gone up into flames, and I could only get out with a box and my baby.” – Angela ([21:45])
• The importance of what remains:
  • “The most important parts were the memories and the love ... and now the gift I have of my daughter.” ([22:32])
• Returning to dance:
  • Unable to dance for four years following her trauma. Her first Zumba class triggered tears; healing was a gradual process ([23:19]).

Transition to Teaching and Mentorship

• Becoming a coach:
  • “That was when I made the pivot ... I haven’t performed, performed. ... But it definitely made me pivot into being a coach and a dance teacher.” ([24:48])
  • Finds fulfillment in performing with students, transferring stage energy and passion.
• Inclusivity in dance fitness:
  • Developed Dance Good Vibes, a fitness-oriented class for non-dancers to enjoy movement and gain confidence ([25:56]).

Advice for Aspiring Dancers (and Leaders)

• Continuous learning and adaptability:
  • “You should always be willing to learn ... and you have to think of yourself as a business, which is hard. ... Think of it as a product.” ([28:00])
• Financial and business acumen:
  • Contracts and savings are frequently neglected; encourages dancers to self-educate on legal and financial matters ([28:50]).
• Mindset and branding:
  • “Now, I’m a dancer. I’m not Angela a dancer. I’m Angela the dancer. And there’s a brand behind me.” ([31:10])

Final Words of Advice

• For the next generation and her younger self:
  • “Keep your eyes open. Learn everything. ... Be passionate, but be patient and befriend everybody. Everybody can help you in some way or you can learn something from in some way.” – Angela ([33:04])
• Universal application:
  • “That is definitely applicable outside of dance as well.” – Alissa ([33:30])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I just tried to make myself a force that couldn't be reckoned with. Like, I just wanted to know that if I stepped on that dance floor ... they would recognize me.” – Angela ([04:56])
• “The energy that you’re giving to the audience has to protrude in a very big way ... They need to feel that energy on the stage. Otherwise you will look very small.” – Angela ([09:10])
• “Sometimes you have to pivot. ... In entrepreneurship, it’s more like a big jaggedy line that’s going up and down ... It makes it easier if you can see that something’s not working. Pivot, turn.” – Angela ([17:19])
• “It was almost like everything had just gone up into flames, and I could only get out with a box and my baby.” – Angela ([21:45])
• “Be passionate, but be patient and befriend everybody. Everybody can help you in some way or you can learn something from in some way.” – Angela ([33:10])

Important Timestamps

• Angela’s early years and training: [02:09] – [02:54]
• Pop culture influences and moving toward professional dance: [03:16] – [04:56]
• Navigating auditions and agents: [05:11] – [06:52]
• First tour experience with Backstreet Boys: [06:57] – [11:30]
• Learning from mistakes and the importance of “dancing full out” ([11:36])
• Comparison: Tour vs. film work, stamina needed: [13:50] – [16:58]
• Leadership lessons: Pivoting, stamina, focus: [17:19] – [19:54]
• Personal loss and resilience: [20:15] – [23:19]
• Pivot to coaching and teaching: [24:48] – [26:53]
• Advice on continuous learning, business, and branding: [28:00] – [31:46]
• Angela’s advice for her younger self and others: [33:04] – [33:30]

Resources & How to Connect

• Angela Elgani’s coaching and mentorship:
  Interested listeners can connect via Angela’s website and fill out the contact form for personalized mentorship, audition prep, and virtual coaching ([31:54]).

If you’re looking for inspiration, practical advice for a creative career, or powerful lessons about resilience and reinvention, this episode of The Leadership Dance offers valuable wisdom for the dance floor—and far beyond.