Help get Cassandra on her Dancing Feet
Donation protected
Help Cassandra get back on her Dancing Feet
Welcome to our page - we are so grateful you've stopped by! We're a group of people who have pasión for dance, creative arts, community and culture. Some of you may already know Cassandra and Baila Con Pasión and some may be new to our family. No matter - we are thrilled you are here and are curious!
We are raising money to help BCP recover from the financial devastation caused by The Pandemic so they can share their pasión with our community. We are humbled that you are here and thank you for your support.
********** "Absolutely amazing! Owner Cassandra is phenomenal and truly a delight. She has a heart of gold and a true passion for dance. " ~ Tamara dsV **********
Cassandra de Mercedes, Owner/Artistic Director, BCP
---------------------------------------------------------------------
WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP
Even small donations can make the biggest difference. If GoFundMe isn’t your thing, there are other ways to support.
• Purchase a BCP monthly package and become a student Class Schedule https://www.bailaconpasion.com
• Buy a BCP gift card to the studio Cassandra https://www.bailaconpasion.com
If money is an issue, there are a few simple and free ways to support Baila Con Pasión through these difficult times:
*Share this GoFundMe campaign
* Like and follow @Bailaconpasion on Facebook and on Instagram at ¡bailaconpasion and please share posts that are relevant to you
* Engage with us on social media: comment, like and share our posts (this helps our posts show in your feed and others!)
********** "Dancing with Cassandra saved my life. Latin dance helped me heal my soul and body." ~Jackie B. **********
BCP students on BachaTour!
-------------------------------------
********** "If you are looking to find an outlet, get in touch with your long lost passion (dance) or you thrive for that competitive edge, this is the dance company for you! When I first met Cassandra, her passion for dance and what she does shows in everything she does…she creates a warm and safe environment. Her dance family becomes her family and the bond is never lost! Even if you just want to try something different, this is the place to be." ~ Sherelle J. **********
Louise and Pedro
-------------------------
When BCP shut down, Cassandra lost 100% of her income. All of it. Her husband had been laid off from his job as well due to Covid, so they went from moving forward at high speed to a full out stop. Cassandra’s teaching engagements at congresses and festivals were canceled. More income lost. She was training to start competing again, which was brought to a halt when competitions worldwide were canceled. BCP tried to continue online classes, but the volume was not enough to make it work.
That took a massive toll on every level. Emotionally, financially, physically.
Cassandra and her husband not only had a downpayment for a studio space, but also saved to build a home. All of that was gone during a 100% TOTAL shutdown.
Cassandra and Papi
--------------------------
When the pandemic hit, life as we knew it came to an abrupt end. No more touching, no more close contact. People needed to “distance”, to mask, to stay separate. No more partner dancing. No more Baila con Pasión dance classes. - for this dance company it was DEVASTATING - it was devastating to my friend to see years of hard work disappear in an instant.
As the pandemic went on, some other dancers (Ashley, DiAnna, Kate and Tess) and I began to realize the depth of the financial toll the Covid-19 pandemic took on Cassandra and Baila con Pasión due to a year and a half of shutdowns and restrictions for a company that generates revenue almost exclusively through in-person, face-to-face classes.
BCP Bellas
----------------
Cassandra’s authenticity and generosity lead the way in all she does - and of course she’d never ask for a handout - but it would be a tragic loss to the dance community if this small family business ends up closing due to the fallout from Covid-19.
To continue teaching classes and serve our community through dance, Cassandra needs funds to repay loans acquired as a result of the pandemic and recover lost revenue.
We would like to see if we can help Cassandra and Baila con Pasión!
A place where anyone that loves to dance and wants to learn authentic Latin dance can become a part of a spectacular dance family. To quote Cassandra, “the only people sitting down at our events are those that choose to do so”.
Please share our page!
Thank you so much from the very bottom of our hearts!
With love,
Kelly
DiAnna
Ashley
Kate
Tess
This is where YOU come in - please share this fundraising page - you can lead us to our next donor. YOU can come dance with us!!
BCP Familia celebrating
-------------------------------
Cassandra’s story
BCP was officially launched in 2007, though Cassandra had been operating prior to that, teaching and performing around the world. As she settled into each new community, she built up BCP by organizing community events that were free and family oriented so that everyone could enjoy the benefits of DANCE.
From doing Salsa on the Streets in Charlotte, NC to teaching free intro classes at various clubs in each location, BCP grew organically and had always had a loyal student base and following. Cassandra has had a school in Charlotte, NC, Bavaro/Punta Cana Dominican Republic, Stuart Florida, and now here in MN. Before the pandemic, they had grown in MN to the point that she had started to look for a more permanent studio space. And then everything came to a halt…
She closed BCP on March 9th 2020, ahead of most schools in the US. They were closed for the better part of 2020 and reopened in just February of this year, and then unforeseen circumstances forced them to shut down again.
Thankfully, her annual and beloved BachaTour with BCP in April 2021 was able to resume - an immersive dance and cultural tour in the Dominican Republic, which had been rescheduled many times for over a year due to Covid restrictions resulting in even more income loss.
Marcella, Kelly and Cassandra in Sosua Dominican Republic 2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cassandra continues to rebuild BCP, but the financial blow will be extremely hard to recover from. They are just trying to stay afloat. All of the savings – the down payment on the studio, personal savings - are gone and like all dance academies, they are now in debt.
BCP needs an infusion of capital to recover from loss of income and savings
BCP is well known in the Latin dance world as having a reputation of professionalism where students learn elegant choreography that intertwines the lines of ballet with the grit and pasión of Latin dance.
BCP is known worldwide for specializing in Bachata Autentica and it's one of few studios that propagates the cultural art of dance and musicality all while extending exposure to Latin and Dominican culture through travel and dance tours. And few schools have a director who has dedicated her entire life to the craft as a lifelong dance professional and has opened 5 schools throughout her career and across the world.
We are family - hanging out!
--------------------------------------
NOW, LET'S DANCE!!
Baila con Pasión
Testimonials from Cassandra’s students
Dancing with Cassandra saved my life. Latin dance helped me heal my soul and body.
~Jackie B.
They are great, love my first salsa class very warm and kind people, very happy to have found this academy.
~Meylin S.
Absolutely amazing! Owner Cassandra is phenomenal and truly a delight. She has a heart of gold and a true passion for dance.
~ Tamara dsV
NOT ENOUGH STARS!!!!
You will find very few dance instructors in the world like Cassandra and her academy Baila con Pasion . She teaches from the heart and makes learning how to dance, a relaxing and enjoyable activity .She keeps you highly motivated and she will have you dancing from day one. Her classes are fun and her social gatherings gives you the perfect opportunity to practice the steps learned in class. Since I moved, I have not found a dance instructor that fits in her shoes. Lucky for her students to have her!!. She teaches not a dance but a doctrine that fills your body and soul with discipline and kindness for yourself and others.
~ Jackie B.
**********************
That was a wonderful school if you want to feel the music in your heart.
~Sanchez J.
*********************
I am so grateful that I found Baila con Pasion and Cassandra. This has changed my life with the joy and exercise that salsa and bachata brings.
~ Jim B
*********************
This academy and teacher Cassandra are The Best!! I started from zero and now I am dancing the night away after only 3 months. She is patient and her teaching instructions are clear and fun. She makes learning a complex dance feel very smooth to learn. Their social gatherings are a perfect opportunity to practice what you learn in class. I look forward to every week to my class after work, it’s the perfect way to unwind my stressful day. Long live salsa!
~ JB
********************
I lived for Cassandra’s classes when I was her student in Florida. You are lucky to have her in Minnesota. What a dedicated, inspirational teacher and a dear friend.
~ Keren C.
********************
Amazing teacher that is very knowledgeable and is committed to helping every student.
~ Jasper H.
********************
If you are looking to find an outlet, get in touch with your long lost passion (dance) or you thrive for that competitive edge, this is the dance company for you! When I first met Cassandra, her passion for dance and what she does shows in everything she does…she creates a warm and safe environment. Her dance family becomes her family and the bond is never lost! Even if you just want to try something different, this is the place to be.
~ Sherelle J.
*********************
This is by far the best academy to learn to dance bachata, salsa and much more. As a former miss Venezuela pageant performer for a group I belonged to, I can see the difference in how Cassandra teaches and conducts her class. i was out of practice while going to law school and Cassandra had the upmost patience with me. She teaches very meticulously so that you get the steps. To this day, Cassandra is still the best at affordable prices and she is worth every penny. i highly recommend this company.
~ Lissette D.
**********************
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to learn more about this wonderful dance company!!
Welcome to our page - we are so grateful you've stopped by! We're a group of people who have pasión for dance, creative arts, community and culture. Some of you may already know Cassandra and Baila Con Pasión and some may be new to our family. No matter - we are thrilled you are here and are curious!
We are raising money to help BCP recover from the financial devastation caused by The Pandemic so they can share their pasión with our community. We are humbled that you are here and thank you for your support.
********** "Absolutely amazing! Owner Cassandra is phenomenal and truly a delight. She has a heart of gold and a true passion for dance. " ~ Tamara dsV **********
Cassandra de Mercedes, Owner/Artistic Director, BCP---------------------------------------------------------------------
WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP
Even small donations can make the biggest difference. If GoFundMe isn’t your thing, there are other ways to support.
• Purchase a BCP monthly package and become a student Class Schedule https://www.bailaconpasion.com
• Buy a BCP gift card to the studio Cassandra https://www.bailaconpasion.com
If money is an issue, there are a few simple and free ways to support Baila Con Pasión through these difficult times:
*Share this GoFundMe campaign
* Like and follow @Bailaconpasion on Facebook and on Instagram at ¡bailaconpasion and please share posts that are relevant to you
* Engage with us on social media: comment, like and share our posts (this helps our posts show in your feed and others!)
********** "Dancing with Cassandra saved my life. Latin dance helped me heal my soul and body." ~Jackie B. **********
BCP students on BachaTour!-------------------------------------
********** "If you are looking to find an outlet, get in touch with your long lost passion (dance) or you thrive for that competitive edge, this is the dance company for you! When I first met Cassandra, her passion for dance and what she does shows in everything she does…she creates a warm and safe environment. Her dance family becomes her family and the bond is never lost! Even if you just want to try something different, this is the place to be." ~ Sherelle J. **********
Louise and Pedro-------------------------
When BCP shut down, Cassandra lost 100% of her income. All of it. Her husband had been laid off from his job as well due to Covid, so they went from moving forward at high speed to a full out stop. Cassandra’s teaching engagements at congresses and festivals were canceled. More income lost. She was training to start competing again, which was brought to a halt when competitions worldwide were canceled. BCP tried to continue online classes, but the volume was not enough to make it work.
That took a massive toll on every level. Emotionally, financially, physically.
Cassandra and her husband not only had a downpayment for a studio space, but also saved to build a home. All of that was gone during a 100% TOTAL shutdown.
Cassandra and Papi--------------------------
When the pandemic hit, life as we knew it came to an abrupt end. No more touching, no more close contact. People needed to “distance”, to mask, to stay separate. No more partner dancing. No more Baila con Pasión dance classes. - for this dance company it was DEVASTATING - it was devastating to my friend to see years of hard work disappear in an instant.
As the pandemic went on, some other dancers (Ashley, DiAnna, Kate and Tess) and I began to realize the depth of the financial toll the Covid-19 pandemic took on Cassandra and Baila con Pasión due to a year and a half of shutdowns and restrictions for a company that generates revenue almost exclusively through in-person, face-to-face classes.
BCP Bellas----------------
Cassandra’s authenticity and generosity lead the way in all she does - and of course she’d never ask for a handout - but it would be a tragic loss to the dance community if this small family business ends up closing due to the fallout from Covid-19.
To continue teaching classes and serve our community through dance, Cassandra needs funds to repay loans acquired as a result of the pandemic and recover lost revenue.
We would like to see if we can help Cassandra and Baila con Pasión!
A place where anyone that loves to dance and wants to learn authentic Latin dance can become a part of a spectacular dance family. To quote Cassandra, “the only people sitting down at our events are those that choose to do so”.
Please share our page!
Thank you so much from the very bottom of our hearts!
With love,
Kelly
DiAnna
Ashley
Kate
Tess
This is where YOU come in - please share this fundraising page - you can lead us to our next donor. YOU can come dance with us!!
BCP Familia celebrating-------------------------------
Cassandra’s story
BCP was officially launched in 2007, though Cassandra had been operating prior to that, teaching and performing around the world. As she settled into each new community, she built up BCP by organizing community events that were free and family oriented so that everyone could enjoy the benefits of DANCE.
From doing Salsa on the Streets in Charlotte, NC to teaching free intro classes at various clubs in each location, BCP grew organically and had always had a loyal student base and following. Cassandra has had a school in Charlotte, NC, Bavaro/Punta Cana Dominican Republic, Stuart Florida, and now here in MN. Before the pandemic, they had grown in MN to the point that she had started to look for a more permanent studio space. And then everything came to a halt…
She closed BCP on March 9th 2020, ahead of most schools in the US. They were closed for the better part of 2020 and reopened in just February of this year, and then unforeseen circumstances forced them to shut down again.
Thankfully, her annual and beloved BachaTour with BCP in April 2021 was able to resume - an immersive dance and cultural tour in the Dominican Republic, which had been rescheduled many times for over a year due to Covid restrictions resulting in even more income loss.
Marcella, Kelly and Cassandra in Sosua Dominican Republic 2021----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cassandra continues to rebuild BCP, but the financial blow will be extremely hard to recover from. They are just trying to stay afloat. All of the savings – the down payment on the studio, personal savings - are gone and like all dance academies, they are now in debt.
BCP needs an infusion of capital to recover from loss of income and savings
BCP is well known in the Latin dance world as having a reputation of professionalism where students learn elegant choreography that intertwines the lines of ballet with the grit and pasión of Latin dance.
BCP is known worldwide for specializing in Bachata Autentica and it's one of few studios that propagates the cultural art of dance and musicality all while extending exposure to Latin and Dominican culture through travel and dance tours. And few schools have a director who has dedicated her entire life to the craft as a lifelong dance professional and has opened 5 schools throughout her career and across the world.
We are family - hanging out!--------------------------------------
NOW, LET'S DANCE!!
Baila con Pasión
Testimonials from Cassandra’s students
Dancing with Cassandra saved my life. Latin dance helped me heal my soul and body.
~Jackie B.
They are great, love my first salsa class very warm and kind people, very happy to have found this academy.
~Meylin S.
Absolutely amazing! Owner Cassandra is phenomenal and truly a delight. She has a heart of gold and a true passion for dance.
~ Tamara dsV
NOT ENOUGH STARS!!!!
You will find very few dance instructors in the world like Cassandra and her academy Baila con Pasion . She teaches from the heart and makes learning how to dance, a relaxing and enjoyable activity .She keeps you highly motivated and she will have you dancing from day one. Her classes are fun and her social gatherings gives you the perfect opportunity to practice the steps learned in class. Since I moved, I have not found a dance instructor that fits in her shoes. Lucky for her students to have her!!. She teaches not a dance but a doctrine that fills your body and soul with discipline and kindness for yourself and others.
~ Jackie B.
**********************
That was a wonderful school if you want to feel the music in your heart.
~Sanchez J.
*********************
I am so grateful that I found Baila con Pasion and Cassandra. This has changed my life with the joy and exercise that salsa and bachata brings.
~ Jim B
*********************
This academy and teacher Cassandra are The Best!! I started from zero and now I am dancing the night away after only 3 months. She is patient and her teaching instructions are clear and fun. She makes learning a complex dance feel very smooth to learn. Their social gatherings are a perfect opportunity to practice what you learn in class. I look forward to every week to my class after work, it’s the perfect way to unwind my stressful day. Long live salsa!
~ JB
********************
I lived for Cassandra’s classes when I was her student in Florida. You are lucky to have her in Minnesota. What a dedicated, inspirational teacher and a dear friend.
~ Keren C.
********************
Amazing teacher that is very knowledgeable and is committed to helping every student.
~ Jasper H.
********************
If you are looking to find an outlet, get in touch with your long lost passion (dance) or you thrive for that competitive edge, this is the dance company for you! When I first met Cassandra, her passion for dance and what she does shows in everything she does…she creates a warm and safe environment. Her dance family becomes her family and the bond is never lost! Even if you just want to try something different, this is the place to be.
~ Sherelle J.
*********************
This is by far the best academy to learn to dance bachata, salsa and much more. As a former miss Venezuela pageant performer for a group I belonged to, I can see the difference in how Cassandra teaches and conducts her class. i was out of practice while going to law school and Cassandra had the upmost patience with me. She teaches very meticulously so that you get the steps. To this day, Cassandra is still the best at affordable prices and she is worth every penny. i highly recommend this company.
~ Lissette D.
**********************
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to learn more about this wonderful dance company!!
Fundraising team (2)
Kelly Carolan
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Cassandra de Mercedes
Beneficiary
Ashley Erickson
Team member
