Today we have with us Frances Hellens McDonald, co-founder of DancestoGo.com, talking about the site and introducing one of their newest choreographers…
Can you tell readers what DancesToGo.com is, and who it is for?
DancesToGo.com is a unique website featuring a collaboration of award winning choreographers, talented performers and teachers. It offers specialized and exclusive choreography for all age groups in a variety of dance styles. Whether you are a studio owner, dance teacher, performer, or school teacher, DancesToGo offers excellent choreography and musical dance activities. Our notes are easy to read and our suggested music is linked directly to iTunes from DancesToGo.com. Obtaining, reading the choreography and purchasing related suggested music from iTunes becomes very easy and convenient. We also offer some videos of the routines and will be producing a larger selection. DancesToGo is proud to be a monthly choreography contributor over at DanceStudioOwner.com.
What types of dance are covered by DancesToGo.com?
DancesToGo.com features a wide variety of dance styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip-hop, and Pre-School. We even have The School House Rocks section for choreography and upbeat dance and learning activities for grade school. The dance world and dance studios are our primary focus.
What are some of your most popular items?
At the moment our Pre-School and Ballet categories are very popular and are creating the best shopping cart sales. There is a high demand this year for Junior and Primary Jazz and Tap recital dance productions and studio class routines. We plan to offer a wider selection of instant downloadable junior and primary choreography this summer at our DancesToGo.com website, and more video selections.
Can you tell readers a bit about your company philosophy?
There has always been marvelous choreography available to purchase but acquiring it was not easy and it was expensive. Now, utilizing technology, dance notations and videos can be downloaded instantly. Busy studio owners and teachers can use iPads, laptops, phones or any device whenever they get a minute, to purchase at very reasonable prices, our routines. So revolutionary distribution methods link our choreographers and dance teachers very easily and instantly the purchaser has the product.
We are developing relationships with dancers who are choreographers so they can do what they do best and earn from the legal distribution and sale of their work. I work with each choreographer for continuity in notation and excellence in choreography. I am having fun, and they are earning even while they are sleeping! I hope our dance world is benefiting through the use of technology to distribute instantly downloadable superb products. I have taught and choreographed in dance for over 45 years with some of the great master teachers and I want to honor them by offering only quality products.
What new things do you have coming up?
We will be increasing our choreography collection. More of our guest choreographers will have their work ready to go up, and some will add videos as well.
With the help of our newest guest choreographer, Cassiah Parker-Pegg, we’ll expand our choreography to gymnastic coaches in a section called “Dance for Gymnasts”. Cassiah will help gymnasts and their coaches create poise and presentation in their routines, as well as strengthen and perfect turns and leaps. Here’s a little more information about her background and experience:
Cassiah works with National and Provincial Gymnasts choreographing floor routines, beam routines and creating poise in their overall presentations. Cassiah has studied under National gymnastic coaches. Canadian National High Performance athletes such as Dominique Pegg, and Emily Bigras have had the privilege to establish their technique under her direction.
Cassiah has obtained her BA Honors in Drama & Communications, Media and Film, and is currently studying towards her teaching certificate and Bachelor of Education, all while choreographing, teaching and performing on the side. She has excelled as a competitive dancer, choreographer and teacher, with her strengths highlighted in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Hip-Hop.
At DancesToGo we are looking forward to our upcoming season, and hope you will visit the site for our exciting changes and additions. We also will feature some of our newest guest choreographers as their work becomes ready. All the best in your new season!
