SAMANTHA LONG Founder of A THREAT

Dance Mogul Magazine · Exclusive Interview · Women in Dance

Samantha Long: The Founder of A THREAT on Building Her Own Lane in Dance

She was dancing in grocery store aisles at four, assisting at national conventions at 14, working in Los Angeles at 16 and running her own company at 21. In her Dance Mogul Magazine exclusive, the Memphis-born choreographer explains how she stopped waiting for a big break and built one.

Originally published April 10, 2020 · Updated October 22, 2026 · Dance Mogul Magazine

Who Is Samantha Long?

Samantha Long is a Memphis-born choreographer, dancer and the founder and CEO of A THREAT, a Los Angeles company that combines a dance brand, artist development, a performance apparel line and A THREAT Studio in North Hollywood. She came up through the convention circuit, assisting nationally known choreographers as a teenager, and moved to Los Angeles alone at 16 to dance professionally.

When Dance Mogul Magazine first spoke with her in April 2020, she had just come off J Balvin's world tour, had launched A THREAT about a year earlier and was moving every class at her studio online as the pandemic shut down live work. What she described then is still the clearest lesson in her story: she did not wait for one big break. She treated every job as a step, built her own opportunities from scratch and created a home for dancers who did not have one.

This updated feature keeps that original conversation word for word and adds the full arc around it: where she started, how she trained, what A THREAT became, and why her approach matters to the next generation of dancers who want to own their careers.

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A Memphis Kid Who Could Not Stop Moving

Long started dancing at four, around the house and in public places like grocery stores, until her parents decided the only sensible answer was a dance class. The energy had a lineage. Her grandmother had danced with the Rockettes as a teenager and loved telling stories about the stage, and her mother's favorite film, White Christmas, played on repeat at home. Long has said the feeling she got watching that choreography is the feeling she wants audiences to have watching her.

Her training was serious early. She was homeschooled through seventh grade so she could spend full days at her studio, and when she was not in class she was freestyling in her bedroom. She tried public school, but conventions and competitions kept pulling her out of the classroom. The choreography that shaped her came from the screens of her childhood: Mia Michaels's "Addiction" on So You Think You Can Dance, which she learned off her DVR at 12, Brian Friedman's work for Britney Spears, and Kenny Ortega's High School Musical numbers, which she taught to friends at sleepovers.

Family was the engine. Her mother died of breast cancer when Long was nine, and her father became, in her words, the best dance dad in the game, driving her from Memphis to a different convention city every weekend. Her three older siblings drove her to rehearsals and kept her confidence up.

“Dance has always been and still is my therapy and outlet to share what my soul needs to let out.”

Samantha Long, Dance Mogul Magazine, 2020

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From Convention Assistant to Los Angeles at 16

At 14, Long was brought on as a professional assistant for a dance convention, then assisted for several conventions in the years that followed. That apprenticeship is how many of today's working choreographers learn the job: teaching combinations in packed ballrooms, cleaning choreography for hundreds of students and watching how established artists run a room. Long has said the training was so much fun she never thought of it as work.

At 16 she persuaded her father that, since she was already missing so much school, she might as well move to Los Angeles. She passed the California High School Proficiency Examination, which allowed her to work as a legal adult, signed with an agency and made the move that same year. From there she trained daily in Los Angeles studios and flew out on weekends to assist choreographers including Tyce Diorio and Tricia Miranda. By 18 she was booking jobs and teaching as convention faculty. A January 2019 iHeartRadio feature on her dance to Post Malone's "Wow." noted that she had also assisted Brian Friedman and Tessandra Chavez and was known for hip-hop choreography performed in heels.

Her performance credits from those years, as listed in that coverage and her professional bio, include work with Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Steve Aoki, Jason Derulo and Paula Abdul, and her bio credits her with choreography for Nicki Minaj.

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Building A THREAT: A Home in a Hard Industry

Long launched A THREAT at 21, and she has been candid that the response from parts of the industry was skeptical. In her DMM interview she recalled people telling her she was too young to do what she was doing. She went ahead anyway, with the support of her then-manager, Aaron Tropf of Tropf Management, whom she credited in 2020 with helping build the company from the ground up and with advocating for fair pay for dancers and choreographers in the music industry.

In a separate interview with Voyage LA, Long described A THREAT as a movement of empowerment through dance. She outlined a company with several arms: artist development and movement coaching for independent and major-label artists, marketing campaigns built on dance content, classes and private coaching at A THREAT Studio in North Hollywood, and an in-house apparel line whose fabrics the company sources and designs itself. She also described the studio as a deliberately welcoming place for beginners and newcomers to Los Angeles who had felt shut out when they first arrived.

Her professional bio adds that A THREAT co-produced Lil Wayne's UPROAR Hip-Hop Festival, which debuted at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 13, 2021, and that the company manages talent.

“Nothing in this industry has ever been handed to me. I’ve had to become an entrepreneur and create my opportunities from scratch.”

Samantha Long, Dance Mogul Magazine, 2020

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Career Journey

The Dance Mogul Magazine Exclusive (2020)

This interview was first published April 10, 2020, early in the COVID-19 shutdown. Samantha Long’s answers appear exactly as she gave them.

Dance Mogul: What inspired you to start dancing?

Samantha: Growing up I loved entertaining & always had so much energy I didn’t know what to do with. I started dancing when I was 4 years old around my house and in public (grocery stores etc.) to where my parents had no other option but to put me in a dance class! From there my passion for dance grew stronger, and I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I remember watching my mom’s favorite movie “White Christmas” on repeat growing up in awe of the choreography and how they could move. The feeling I got watching that movie is what I hoped others would feel one day watching me dance. I also think my passion for dance came from my grandma who was a Rocket as a teenager & would talk about how much she enjoyed the stage! Dance has always been and still is my therapy and outlet to share what my soul needs to let out. I hope to inspire people from all over the world to start dancing and fall in love with it the way I did.

Dance Mogul: What were some of your favorite choreography in videos growing up?

Samantha: Wow, where do I even begin… There have been so many music videos and performances that have shaped me to be who I am today, and want to become a choreographer. I remember watching Mia Michaels’ Addiction piece with Kayla and Kupono on SYTYCD at 12 years old being brought to tears. I was so moved I spent all day watching their performance on my DVR and learned from my tv (this was before Youtube was a thing). I was obsessed with all Britney Spears’ music videos especially Brian Friedman’s choreography to “I’m a Slave 4 U”. I’m honored to have assisted my biggest inspirations I just listed above Brian and Kayla growing up as a teenager. And I mean come on I have to mention Kenny Ortega’s iconic choreography for ALL the High School Musical movies. When I was 10 I used to host sleepover parties with my friends to teach them all the choreography breakdowns. I’d be lying if I told you I couldn’t whip out the “We’re All in This Together” breakdown right now haha!

Dance Mogul: How did you go about developing your craft?

Samantha: Up until 7th grade I was homeschooled so I could be full time at the dance studio I was training at. When I wasn’t at the studio, I was in my room freestyling. I then decided I wanted to try this whole public school thing out, but it didn’t last long until I was missing a lot of days for dance conventions/competitions. When I was 14 years old I was brought on as a professional assistant for a convention, and then became an assistant for different conventions in years to follow. I would then spend every weekend traveling from my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee to a new city. My training was so much fun for me I didn’t even really see it as “work”. Then at 16, I convinced my dad that I might as well make the move now to Los Angeles since I was already missing so much school & knew that dance was what I wanted as a career. I then took the CHSPE test in California and passed meaning I could work as a legal adult! I then signed to an Agency and made the move that year to begin my journey as a professional dancer! From that point on I trained every day at studios and would fly out to conventions on the weekend to assist choreographers such as Tyce Diorio, Tricia Miranda, and more. I then started booking jobs and began teaching as a faculty member at 18. From then on my passion for dance grew into choreography, and I started to put all my energy into that! From there on I have been progressing in my journey as a choreographer and have started my brand “A THREAT” and Artist Development Studio “A THREAT Studio”. Every day I get inspired to train/work harder than the day before to get better. I will always be a student.

Dance Mogul: Did you have a support system?

Samantha: My family was my support system growing up. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to access the training I had as a kid and move to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams at such a young age. My mom passed away from breast cancer when I was nine, and my dad stepped up to the plate to be the best dance dad in the game. Starting off in the convention world he would drive me from Memphis to a different city every week with no complaints. My three older siblings would drive me to all my rehearsals, and hype me up consistently. When I got to LA, I was very much so on my own and I’m proud to say that both the wins and losses of my business are completely mine. I find it extremely important to have a community of people who support you, and wanna see you win doing the things that you love! I created my brand A THREAT to be just that for people who don’t have one or are just seeking a home in this crazy industry.

Dance Mogul: What was your big break?

Samantha: To be honest, in my eyes I’ve never seen one specific moment as my “Big Break”. Every job or opportunity has just been one step closer to something bigger I wanted to accomplish. Nothing in this industry has ever been handed to me. I’ve had to become an entrepreneur and create my opportunities from scratch. Every moment is a milestone that I cherish. Some highlights this past year have been getting to work with J Balvin on his latest World Tour and starting my brand A THREAT.

Dance Mogul: As a woman, how do you maneuver in a male-dominated industry?

Samantha: Being a young female entrepreneur is anything but easy in the entertainment industry. Having to navigate if people want to work with you based on your looks over your talent is something I’ve had to face countless times and continue to deal with. What I’ve learned is as a woman you have to hold your ground and be passionate about what you’re chasing. However, I am addicted to breaking glass ceilings no matter the situation. Bring it on.

Dance Mogul: How has the current pandemic affected you and your business?

Samantha: As an entertainer who also owns a business around the art of entertaining people in person, this pandemic has been devastating. My business model has been completely shifted. I have moved all that I possibly can online for people to access all over the world, but I am limited to the services I can offer without being in person. All classes at the A THREAT Studio have been moved online as well as tutorials and privates! I love staying connected to all my Artists, students, and customers this way, but I am looking forward to COVID-19 to go away so we can go back to normal!

Dance Mogul: Where do you see dance going from here?

Samantha: I hope to see dance do nothing but expand bigger and greater into the world. I am a huge advocate for social media since it has become being such a helpful tool in bringing dance into the mainstream world. People are now seeing dancers as stars instead of just “backup dancers”. Dancers are taking over the world with TikTok now, and dance challenges are now a prime reason why singers/rappers are getting discovered in the first place. I will continue to be an advocate for dancers to get paid as well as getting treated properly for as long as I live. I hope to see the dance community as a whole stand together more and fight for our rights so we can see a change in generations to come! Let’s make being a professional dancer/choreographer a substantial living.

“Let’s make being a professional dancer/choreographer a substantial living.”

Samantha Long, Dance Mogul Magazine, 2020

Dance Mogul: What advice do you have for up and coming dancers and entrepreneurs?

Samantha: The best advice I have for up and coming dancers/entrepreneurs is to never give up and be consistent. If I had a dollar for every time I was told no or “that’s not gonna work” I’d be a millionaire. When I launched A THREAT at 21 years old I had countless haters saying I was too young to do what I was doing. I’ve never listened because I don’t see age as a limitation, and know what I am capable of. You have to trust your gut and work your ass off to get to your dream. It will NEVER be easy & you will always have problems that arise, but it’s how you handle them and learn from them that makes you a winner. I have only been able to live out my dreams solely from these things. My brand was built on this foundation/mindset of not letting anyone or anything stop you in your pursuit of happiness.

Dance Mogul: Is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you on your journey?

Samantha: I would like to thank my manager Aaron Tropf at Tropf Management for helping me build A THREAT from the ground up and supporting me through everything I do. He believed in me when nobody else did and has encouraged me to keep fighting when times would get rough. His vision for my career is bigger than mine sometimes and that says a lot because I am a big dreamer. On top of managing me, he has also fought endlessly for all dancers and choreographers in the music industry. Educating music artists, executives, managers & labels what dancers/choreographers are truly worth! I would also like to thank my followers/supporters for showing me so much love and supporting A THREAT in every way! Last but not least I would like to thank my family for the endless support they have given me my entire life to get to where I am today.

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From the Archive: The Original Magazine Pages

Read Samantha Long’s exclusive as it appeared in Dance Mogul Magazine in 2020.

Open the original magazine pages (PDF)

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Where Is Samantha Long Now?

Long remains a working choreographer and creator based in Los Angeles. Her current professional bio, published on her booking profile with the agency MN2S, describes her as a choreographer, music video director, dancer and digital media executive, and lists A THREAT as a female-empowered brand and media company that manages talent and runs A THREAT Studio in North Hollywood.

Her work has widened beyond the stage. Her bio lists directing, choreographing and producing music videos for artists including Charmy Pham and REI AMI, an artist she told Voyage LA she was developing through A THREAT, along with brand partnerships with companies such as Liquid Death, Hulu, Airbnb and Reebok. It also notes that she earned a black belt in taekwondo in 2024 and folds that martial arts training into her performances. She continues to post freestyles and choreography on social media, the platform she predicted in 2020 would turn dancers into stars rather than background.

The constant across both interviews is advocacy. In 2020 she told DMM she would fight for dancers to be paid and treated properly for as long as she lives; her current bio still lists fair treatment and proper credit for dancers among her causes.

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What the Next Generation Should Learn

Assisting is an education. Long’s years as a convention assistant, starting at 14, gave her access to working choreographers and the habits of running a room long before she had her own credits. Young dancers who treat assisting as training, not just a job, learn the business from the inside.

Stop waiting for one big break. She describes her career as a chain of milestones, not one moment. That mindset keeps a dancer building when a single booking falls through.

Ownership protects your work. She has spoken about choreography being credited to others. Building a brand, a studio and a team gave her a place where her work and her name stay together.

Community is a business strategy. A THREAT was built to be a home for dancers who did not have a support system. Creating belonging for others is also how she built a loyal audience and a team that grew with her.

Age is not the qualification. She launched her company at 21 against open doubt. Her advice was simple: be consistent, trust your gut and learn from every problem.

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Why Samantha Long’s Story Matters to Dance Mogul Magazine

Dance Mogul Magazine exists to share lived stories that help people become better versions of themselves, with dance as the foundation and the bridge. Samantha Long’s story fits that mission on every level. It is about a family that held a young dancer up after a loss, a teenager who earned her place through service as an assistant, and a young woman who answered doubt by building a company designed to lift others.

It is also a career lesson. DMM has long covered the business side of dance, from career and craft to mentorship, because talent alone does not pay the rent. Long’s call in 2020 to make dancing and choreography a substantial living is the same conversation DMM continues with every artist we feature. Her journey sits alongside other creators who built their own lanes, including choreographer Jamal Sims and Anthony Garza, whose DMM exclusives also trace the road from student to industry professional.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Samantha Long?

Samantha Long is a Memphis-born, Los Angeles-based choreographer and dancer and the founder and CEO of A THREAT, a company that includes a dance brand, artist development, A THREAT Studio in North Hollywood and a performance apparel line.

What is A THREAT?

A THREAT is the company Samantha Long launched at 21. She describes it as a movement of empowerment through dance. It offers classes and private coaching at A THREAT Studio, artist development and movement coaching for recording artists, dance-driven marketing and its own apparel.

Where is Samantha Long from?

She grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to Los Angeles at 16 after passing the California High School Proficiency Examination.

Who has Samantha Long worked with?

She worked on J Balvin’s world tour and has assisted choreographers including Brian Friedman, Tyce Diorio and Tricia Miranda. Published coverage and her professional bio also list work with Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Steve Aoki, Jason Derulo, Paula Abdul and Nicki Minaj.

When did Dance Mogul Magazine interview Samantha Long?

Dance Mogul Magazine published its exclusive interview with Samantha Long on April 10, 2020. This feature was updated on October 22, 2026.

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Continue Your Journey

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