Interview Date: March 8th, 2026
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato sits down with Jamie Hodgins, Executive Director of the International Competitive Dance Registry (ICDR). Jamie shares his journey from starting dance at 16 in Ottawa to building a multifaceted career as a performer, choreographer, producer, and casting professional. His career includes projects such as Camp Rock 2, touring productions like Hairspray, and collaborations with major artists and productions.
Throughout the conversation, Jamie discusses the importance of perseverance, networking, and creating opportunities in the dance industry. He shares lessons from auditions, touring, and working behind the scenes, offering practical advice for dancers who want to expand their careers beyond performing.
The episode also highlights Jamie’s current mission with ICDR, a new initiative designed to bring greater fairness, structure, and recognition to the competitive dance industry. By creating verified digital records of dancers’ achievements and participation, ICDR aims to give dancers a lasting portfolio of their work while helping move the industry toward greater transparency and credibility.
Shownotes:
0:00 – Introduction and podcast setup with mentees
4:01 – Guest introduction: Jamie Hodgins career highlights
6:32 – Jamie starts dancing at 16 in Ottawa
8:00 – Reality show leads to Toronto career move
11:00 – Transition from performer to production roles
13:32 – Advice: say yes and build relationships
16:30 – Manifesting and booking Camp Rock 2
20:00 – Importance of networking and industry relationships
25:56 – Ariana Grande performance pay reality check
31:01 – Introduction to ICDR and dancer digital identity
35:15 – Vision for ICDR and industry structure
38:48 – Future features: dancer profiles and insurance
41:08 – Q&A: benefits of ICDR for dancers
46:23 – Favorite career moment performing in Hairspray
1:02:00 – Inspiration, individuality, and memorable audition story
Biography:Jamie Hodgins is Executive Director of the International Competitive Dancer Registry (ICDR) with 25+ years in competitive dance as a performer, choreographer, adjudicator, competition director, casting agent, and producer.
His performance and production credits span major commercial and stage work — including CAMP ROCK 2, Hairspray Tour, collaborations with Madonna, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, and creative work for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, National Ballet of Canada, Pepsi, and The Amazing Race Canada.
At ICDR Jamie is leading the push to modernize dance with a centralized, privacy‑first verification system that protects dancer media, confirms identities and eligibility, and creates portable verified records of achievement. Inspired by the standards and protections in youth sport, his mission is to unite studios and events around fairness, transparency, and safer opportunities for dancers.
Jamie blends artistic credibility with systems‑level change — a committed innovator focused on safeguarding dancers and strengthening the future of the industry.
Connect on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/jamie_hodgins/
https://www.instagram.com/icdr.dance/
Website:www.icdrdance.com
