We recently connected with Kana Nakada and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

If I were to restart my business to make it more efficient, I would focus on my branding, researching top choreographers and industry leaders, and setting both long and short term goals. First, identifying what you’re most passionate about is fundamental to success. There are so many genres and styles in dance, that in my early stages of my career, I was experimenting with them all. . As much as I enjoyed doing this it was difficult for people to define my brand clearly. It’s important to specialize in one main area so people can easily understand what you do.
Second, networking is a very powerful skill and tool, as it can significantly speed up your career’s progress. Researching who choreographed for the artists you want to work with and connecting with people within that network. I made the mistake of believing that knowing people didn’t matter and that my dance talent and technique was enough. I’ve since realized that building relationships is crucial for growing my brand image and business..
Lastly, setting small goals that build into broader ones is a much more effective strategy. It’s good to have both, so you can work hard and take small steps to where you want to go.

Kana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a dancer and choreographer from Okinawa, Japan. I moved to LA, the home of dance, because dance is not widely recognized as a career in Japan. Ever since I was young, I enjoyed many activities like drawing, singing, and Japanese calligraphy, but dance was the only one that truly fueled my passion. Even during tough times, dance was my source of joy and made me realize that becoming a professional dancer or creator was my calling.
I offer dance classes for both groups and individuals, choreography for music videos and live shows, and performances at events. Recently, I’ve also started volunteering to teach dance at foster homes, which has been an incredibly rewarding experience.
What sets my dance style apart is that I specialize in both sexy heels and hard street dance styles like popping and hip-hop, a combination that’s rare for female dancers in both Japan and LA.

I’m dedicated to seeing every project through to the end. I never abandon my responsibilities or act solely on emotion. My focus is always on what’s best for my students and on entertaining and engaging people through my choreography and performances.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

First, consistently demonstrate focus and dedication in your career. I often ask my clients why they chose me, and they frequently mention how hard I work. They know this because I regularly share updates about my projects and class videos on social media, keeping people informed about my professional capabilities.
Second, always be yourself. Authenticity strengthens both personal relationships and connections with business partners. In creative work, being honest about your opinions is crucial.
Lastly, avoid trying to undermine others. I don’t speak negatively about other dancers and choreographers, and I stay away from toxic individuals. I believe people trust me because of my integrity and positive attitude.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Showing up! Attend parties or classes and make an effort to introduce yourself to the people in the room. Once you get to know them, consistently support them in any way you can. That way, you’ll always be on their mind when they need your help.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kananakada.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kana.tune/
• Twitter: https://x.com/kanatune2?s=21&t=vK-FYHDQJNNsxd0CCWedrQ
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kana.tunetune?si=1Y1d_6HyJjf8qBJM

Image Credits

Carly Jean
Drayce
Erin Douglass
Chris Jon