Member Spotlight – McPherson Classical Coaching Academy
McPherson Classical Coaching Academy (MCCA) is now located at their new location at 206 N. Main St. in McPherson. MCCA is the premier ballet school in the area. Their focus is classical ballet, but they also offer flexibility training, contemporary dance, Broadway jazz, adult fitness, and pre-primary (3-5 years) and primary (6-7 years) creative movement classes. Owner, Jessica Magnall, said “they focus on the whole dancer. Our dancers learn to control their body, gain strength, and flexibility, all while feeling like they are part of something bigger than themselves. We strive for excellence, confidence, and joy. Our goal is that every child walks in with a big smile on their face!” MCCA currently has 70 students enrolled in their programs. Ages range from 2 1/2 to early 70’s.
Jessica started her training at the Colorado School of Ballet after telling her parents she wanted to do ballet after seeing the Nutcracker. Jessica and her family then moved to Kansas. The closes school was in Wichita, so Jessica’s parents drove her from Abaline to Wichita 5 days a week. Jessica joked that her parents received their million-mile pin when she received her 5-year pin. Jessica attended college at Wichita State University and then received her Master’s in “Ballet of Studies” and “Ballet Teaching” at the National Ballet School of Canada. She was one of only 13 that was accepted into that program. She has also finished quite a few certifications since then. Jessica has been teaching dance for 18 years. She taught at Salina Community Theater for 6 years and before that she ran the dance department at Parks & Rec. in Abaline. MCCA is now in their third season in McPherson.
MCCA recently just moved into their new renovated facility on Main Street. In a time of shortages because of Covid, Jessica said all three improvement stores, Graber’s ACE, Jantz Lumber, and Shermin-Williams were incredibly helpful. Even local Hopp’s Sound & Electric installed their sound system for them. Jessica was extremely grateful for all the support that they had received from the community! “We couldn’t do this without you,” said Jessica.
For more information on all the services that McPherson Classical Coaching Academy offers, visit their website, or check out their Facebook Page. Photos from Chamber Connections hosted by MCCA can be seen here.