We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tiana Gandelman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tiana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

In early 2024, I brought to life a passion project that became ‘Project Fabulous’ – a dance concept video celebrating women’s artistry and power. It launched perfectly on Women’s Day. As executive producer and creative director, I fully backed this vision creatively and financially.

The magic started when my incredible collaborator, Nicole Rivera, came to me with the seed of an idea. We built an all-star creative team: Alyx Andryshuk’s brilliant choreography, Kaylan Duran’s expert eye for branding and wardrobe, and Becca Nelson’s masterful direction. Each woman brought something unique to the table.

We assembled 20 remarkable dancers, dressed them in striking white, and created a piece where each performer owned their power while moving as one collective force. The project resonated so deeply that it earned us a Silver Telly Award – a beautiful recognition of what happens when you bring together talented women with a shared vision.

‘Project Fabulous’ embodied everything I love about creative direction: building dynamic teams, nurturing artistic vision, and creating platforms where artists can truly shine. Every aspect, from concept to execution, celebrated women supporting women in the arts.

Tiana, 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?

My journey in entertainment began center stage, dancing alongside icons like Britney Spears in ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and Christina Aguilera in ‘Dirrty.’ Those ten years of touring gave me an invaluable performer’s perspective of every stage imaginable. But while most dancers naturally transition to choreography, I found myself drawn to the masterminds behind the camera.

My curiosity led me to my first producer conversations on Dance Your A** Off, and soon after, I joined the creative team for America’s Got Talent. This kicked off another incredible decade. I helped shape unforgettable moments on shows like The X Factor, The Voice, and AGT All-Stars and joined creative teams for Justin Bieber to Pharrell Williams, Usher to Selena Gomez.

2016 marked my evolution in Creative Direction. I led visionary projects for Fifth Harmony, Meghan Trainor, JoJo, and Josh Groban, as well as groundbreaking shows like The Masked Singer and Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic.

One of my proudest achievements was producing the 65th Grammy Awards, where I was the Producer on the historic Hip Hop 50 Tribute. This moment will forever stand as a testament to what’s possible when vision meets execution.

These experiences have given me something uniquely valuable: I’ve lived every role in live entertainment, from dancer to creative director, from both sides of the camera. I’m channeling this comprehensive knowledge into Creative Director Pro Academy, an intensive eight-week program designed to transform aspiring visionaries into confident creative directors.

This isn’t just another course – it’s your backstage pass to mastering live entertainment direction. We dive deep into everything from team structuring and budgeting to the nuanced differences between TV and tour production. You’ll learn how to command a boardroom, create compelling creative decks, and navigate the technical aspects of lighting and production that can make or break a show.

The program covers:
Essential leadership skills for structuring and managing creative teams
Strategic budgeting for maximum impact
Advanced production knowledge from lighting to laser technology
Critical differences between TV and tour productions
Resource management and top vendor connections
Professional development from mindset to boardroom presence
Technical expertise in creative deck development
Personal branding as an up-and-coming Creative Director

If you’re ready to elevate your creative direction career with insider knowledge that only comes from decades of hands-on experience across every facet of live entertainment, this is your moment. Join me in February 2025 for an experience that will revolutionize your approach to creative direction.
For more information: https://jointianatoday.myflodesk.com/waitlistcdpa

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Growing on social media is a constant learning curve, but I love finding new ways to do things. I’m a member of The Content Coven, which was created by Em Conners (@the.creative.bodega). She is an incredible IG Growth Coach, and the community of women provides fantastic support for figuring it out together.

I’ve learned that it’s all about consistency, engagement, authenticity, and being aware of what people care about you. It’s also okay to repeat yourself. The algorithm doesn’t allow every single post of yours to be seen, so you need to repost your content repeatedly if you want your message to be heard.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There’s something absolutely electric about watching an idea burst into reality. Everything starts in my mind as a collection of feelings and images that I pour into a mood board. These creative decks become my storytelling canvas, letting me share the vision I see so clearly in my imagination.

And then comes the magic—that heart-racing moment when the vision starts breathing. When the first music notes fill the space, dancers bring the rhythm to life. When set pieces rise from paper dreams into reality, screen content flows like visual poetry, the fabric becomes costume, and light cuts through the darkness; those moments still give me full-body chills every single time!

This is what I live for: watching all these beautiful puzzle pieces click into place. It’s like conducting an orchestra of creativity where every element harmonizes into something bigger than we imagined. These ‘first moments’ of creation are pure gold to me, and even after all these years, they still take my breath away

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tianatoday.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tianatoday/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiana-gandelman/
• Other: https://jointianatoday.myflodesk.com/tiana

Image Credits
In Studio photographer: Lee Gumbs @leegumbs.photography Outdoor/Home photographer: Kaylan Duran @linkksocial