In a new interview on Blazing Minds, I got a chance to ask Brendon Hansford a few questions about his career as a choreographer and movement director, and the revolutionary online dance platform DNACERS, which has been described as Netflix of dance
Brendon has also created an exclusive video for Blazing Minds which gives you a breakdown tour of the DNACERS website and what you can expect.
Q. Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your experience in dance, which includes working with some of the biggest musical artists including Sam Smith, Rod Stewart, Normani, and Rick Astley
I’m not sure there is a short version of this story. But I’ll give it a good try! I didn’t actually start dancing till I was 18 years old, which in this industry is very late. Soon after I attended the Laban Centre and trained as a ballet contemporary dancer. Following that I travel the world training in all the street foundation styles including Hip Hop, Locking, Popping, House Dance and B-boying. From that point up until I decided to become a full-time choreographer, I worked on number jobs around the world from commercial to theatre while also opening and running a dancer studio.
I was hit with a pretty bad injury that took me away from dancing for about a year and while undergoing a very in-depth mental journey I made the decision to come back to the industry as a choreographer and movement director as being a creative was always something that came naturally to me.
Looking back, I am certain that this is where my career REALLY started. As you mentioned in the question, I have worked with some incredible people in the music world and also some massive brands such as Panasonic, Renault, Smirnoff to name a few.
Q. You have launched a new online platform called DNACERS. Can you tell me a bit about the concept and how it came about?
Well, the creation of the company wasn’t mine, the company was created by two incredible people who are not dancers/choreographers but have worked from an entrepreneurial point of view in the dance world. I originally got called to come on the platform as an exclusive choreographer and the deal sounded so amazing, I bit their hand off. However, me being me I decided to bug them for a couple of weeks telling them how I would run the platform, what I would change and how I would want to be paid.
Later, I would come on as their business development choreographer and help them create a platform that will revolutionise the dance industry and create a payment structure for teachers and choreographers that is unheard-of.
DNACERS is a platform that is trying things in a different way, in a better way and in a way that pays the teachers and choreographers correctly, on a platform that is so user-friendly, we believe we have created the Netflix of dance!
The platform is incredible value for money as not only do the dancers get unlimited access to the on-demand videos they also get 50% off all the live interactive classes from our incredible choreographers… And to put the cherry on the pie if they use the ‘BH25′ they will get 25% off the subscription for life!
Q. If someone was looking to join DNACERS do they need to be at a certain level before they can participate?
DNAcers is for anyone who has an interest in dance from the absolute beginner like you said who’s looking to just keep fit, to the pro dancer! We are also going to be opening a part to the platform that’s going to be called ‘Mentoring and Mental Health’. We want it to be a one stop shop for anything dance based online.
AGAIN, use the discount code ‘BH25’ and sign up and anyone can get a 25% discount off the subscription fee’s for LIFE!
Q. How many choreographers are currently available in the programme and where are they based?
Right now we have over 100 incredible choreographers from all around the world! And I’m not exaggerating when I say all around the world, they really are, from Australia to LA to Thailand to Russia to the UK … I could go on and on.
Q. You also have a Young Choreographers Programme (YCP) on the platform, Can you tell me a bit about what this is and how it is incorporated?
The young choreographers program was created to give opportunities that have never been heard of before to 16 to 21-year-olds who wouldn’t normally have a chance to build a profile on a platform like this and make money at the same time. As well as being listed on the platform the young choreographers meet with me every Sunday on a zoom call where we talk about industry issues, things they need to do to build their career and any subject that will help them to succeed. In fact, one of the rules is that every week every individual on the program has to bring a question. This has been a massive success and has very quickly built a small community of young choreographers that support each other.
Q. You also run a talent and production agency –http://www.bh-creative.com/. Can you tell me a about the agency?
BH Creatives Talent and Production Agency is a one-stop shop for everything involving dance and movement, from thesupply of performers all the way up to the whole production.
We have the best of the best in the industry and pride ourselves on consistently delivering above and beyond while staying on brief.
BH Creative was born out of passion, innovation and the need to fill a gap in the industry that has long been overlooked.
We have built up an exceptional reputation thatprecedes us, from working alongside Sam Smith using innovative thinking to create memorable moves, to working in a fast pace environment to deliver choreography and movement direction for Rick Astley, thinking outside the box. We go above and beyond for every client.
Our work ethic and passion is weaved through the company and there is nothing that together we can’t do for you. Whatever your requirements, be assured they will be matched with professionalism, creativity and efficiency. Our aim is to deliver the highest quality product every time, whilst also saving your company time and creating moments that last a lifetime.
Q. As a choreographer and movement director we can see some of your contributions in music videos and advertising. What is your process of collaborating with the director to help create their vision?
As a choreographer, my main role is to help the director create their vision and bring it to life on stage or screen. When they ask me in there is normally already a treatment or a formed idea that involves dance or some heavy movement. From this point it’s my job to make it work and create something that is on brief and has what you could say is called the ‘wow factor’. My knowledge of the technical equipment really come into play also as understanding the camera’s, lens’s etc that we are using can really help to create the image that the director is looking for. In short, I work very closely with the director and I am by their side for whenever they may need me.
Q. You have worked with some of the biggest musical artists over the years, but are there any who you would love to work with in the future?
Honestly, I am so grateful for what I have done up to now, I’m just happy to keep going!
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are working on at the moment?
Yes, many! Most I can’t tell you about as with a lot of job I have to sing an NDA before they tell me anything. However on a personal level I am building dnacers.com to a global level, Launching a educational academy to help dancers get a better start in this career, building my talent and production agency and also I’ll be travelling the world over the next two years to work in as many different countries as possible!
Q. If someone is looking to get into dancing at a professional level, what advice would you give someone who has some training and looking to get started?
I would 100% say get down to try a class with me either in person at Base Dance Studios every Saturday or join me in my Online classes every Sunday on dnacers.com. From there I can give to feedback and advice and tell you the best direction to head in.
Exclusive Video on Blazing Minds
You can keep up to date with Brendon Hansford and DNACERS on the following social media platforms
Brendon Hansford – Instagram – YouTube – TikTok – Twitter
DNACERS – Instagram – YouTube – TikTok
SUBSCRIBE NOW AND USE BH25 DISCOUNT CODE FOR 25% OFF LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION VIA WWW.DNACERS.COM
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
