We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gina Menichino . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gina below.

Hi Gina, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

In my life, I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by some truly special folks who’ve taught me a lot. My dad’s the embodiment of grit—he started with nothing and built a stable life for our family. My mom, who’s a wizard in the kitchen, especially when it comes to the best spaghetti and meatballs, and gave me the gift of life and is my light. And my siblings, well, they’ve taught me all about love—big shoutout to Thomas, Angela, and Anthony. My family is my foundation, and I owe so much of who I am to their support.

Now, let’s talk dance. It’s been a wild ride, starting with competitive dance and then diving into classical and modern training. I practically grew up on stage, absorbing every bit of training and performance opportunity. With my family’s support, I danced everywhere starting as a teenager, from touring dance convention, to local community shows and even big-time programs across the USA. And you know what? My drive keeps pushing me forward, thanks to what my parents and many others support and guidance through my challenges and successes. Every day is a chance to grow and I’ve had countless experiences to learn from throughout my training journey.

And let’s be real, being a dancer ain’t all glamorous. Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew, but hey, taking risks is just part of the deal, right? You gotta admit, embracing risks is key for staying creative. And because dance isn’t just a job to me—it’s my passion—finding balance has become my main focus. It’s an ongoing journey of figuring out how to push myself while also taking care of myself. With each year, I gain a bit more patience and wisdom. I’m 27 now, and I’m slowly getting the hang of it, but looking back, I wish I’d realized the importance of inner peace a lot sooner.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey everyone, I’m Gina, and I’ve been on quite the journey from Tampa and Miami to LA, and now I’m calling NYC home. I’m currently teaching at Broadway Dance Center and Peridance Center, where I pour my heart and soul into packing my classes with contemporary, fusion, and improvisational dance elements.

One thing I’m incredibly passionate about is providing professional education in choreography, both across the country and internationally. I’ve had the honor of assisting some of the industry’s best, including Tyce Diorio, Megan Lawson, and Cat Cogliandro. I’ve also had amazing opportunities to collaborate with talents like Nappy Tabs, Tessandra Chavez, Derek Hough, and incredible music artists like Daya, Tiesto, and Blake McGrath.

You might have caught me on NBC’s World of Dance Season 3, competing with team Radiance, founded by the talented Rudy Abreu. And right now, I’m proud to be a company member, living out my passion for dance every single day.

As a lifelong student of dance, I’m constantly diving deep into all its aspects, from modern artistry, dance on camera, and dance safety.

But what really sets me apart as a choreographer is my unique teaching method. I infuse acting techniques into my classes, helping dancers discover their genuine emotional reactions to the music. This translates into performances that are not just technically proficient, but emotionally captivating. My goal is to touch the hearts of every dancer I work with, empowering them to move deeply and truly believe in themselves.

So, if you’re ready to take your dance journey to the next level, be sure to follow me on Instagram @ginamenichino!

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

You know, nowadays, there are so many resources out there that I wish I had known about when I was a kid. But one person in particular stands out to me—her name is Leslie Scott. She’s absolutely brilliant when it comes to protecting young dancers. I really wish I had met her sooner. I believe the entertainment industry as a whole could benefit from taking a closer look at how the arts, especially physically demanding ones like dance, can impact the development of young people.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Dance videos are like my go-to source of inspiration, I swear I could watch them all day and never get tired of it. It’s hard to even pick a top 3! But you know, being an artist isn’t just about the moves—it’s also about having a clear headspace. That’s where my coach Rob Zarrilli comes in. He’s always telling me, “Don’t try to do everything today, just do something every day.” And you know what? It’s really stuck with me.

He also had me read this book called Emotional Intelligence, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. It gave me some seriously deep insight into my emotional awareness, which has been super helpful in my journey as a dancer.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ginamenichino.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ginamenichino
• Youtube: YouTube.com/ginaab0binaa

Image Credits
Lee Gumbs