Meet Tessa Mendoza | Entertainer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tessa Mendoza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tessa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wish I could say there was one! My business is really a byproduct of supply and demand. I started in the entertainment industry 16 years ago, and with every piece of work came an opportunity for more. With that growth came the need to create a company that encompassed our many elements of entertainment. Enter Doza Dance Productions!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
You guys are so awesome and I appreciate your interest in sharing my work! I’m an entertainer, choreographer, and producer based in Nashville, TN. I’ve been in the entertainment industry for about 16 years and work in many different facets of the art. I got my start as a choreographer and back up dancer for the ever talented Coco Jones. From there I spent about 7-8 years touring with different projects and creating new shows, everything from choreographing mainstream music videos and commercials to singing in a traveling corporate band. I created a female power house vocal group named “Mid-West” that played for the grand opening of Miranda Lambert’s “Casa Rosa” and held down a 2 year residency at the beautiful Supper Club owned by Justin Timberlake and Sam Fox. Through years of performing as a dancer, emcee, and singer I eventually found may way as the producer of the critically acclaimed Burlesque show at Skull’s Rainbow Room right here in Nashville.

Currently I perform every Thursday through Saturday night in the world famous show located in historic Printers Alley. I’m also in the process of launching a new Cabaret show I’ve been working on that will be featured in a beautiful downtown venue very soon. So y’all will just have to stay tuned to find out when it opens!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
During the day there are some beautiful hiking trails to take advantage of around the city. Long Hunter State Park and Percy Warner are two of my favs!

For breakfast and coffee, my current go to is “Flour Your Dreams” in Hermitage. The sweetest staff and bakery makes this place feel like home.

We’re definitely hitting Skulls for fantastic cocktails and to see Laura Mayo and Dianne Sherrill shake up the historic stage.

The Supper Club is another beautiful and swanky venue that hosts incredible bands. Singer/songwriter Rachel Horter wows the crowds with her incredible vocals on Saturday nights.

House of Cards is a unique and delicious dinner choice. The vibey venue features magicians performing on the restaurant floor and an outside terrace complete with a waterfall.

And of course the best close out to the eve is going to be back at the Rainbow Room for live band Burlesque every Thursday-Saturday night at 11:00pm!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my husband, whom supports and participates in all of my creative ambitions. His immediate response to any outrageous idea or timeline is “Okay, where do we start?” He lifts our household whilst chasing his dreams and making space for mine. A true gem!

Instagram: @tessa.mendoza

Image Credits
Adrian Morales Misfit Studios International Hoku Creative Rashad Short