The School of Dance
Merrilee Hodgins A.R.A.D., Artistic Director
Inspired. Learning.
Our dancers dance.
Janna Matoussova with Elena Ilin.
Classical Ballet Training
Photo: TSOD Archives
The School of Dance gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council.
Contemporary Dance Diploma
Photo: Sarah Schorlemer and Gilles Vézina
<Read More>
The School of Dance is registered as a private career college under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005
The Contemporary Dance Programme is approved as a vocational training program under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005
Children's Classes
Photo: Lisa Hebert
Our Children’s Dance Classes begin with Twirling Tots at the age of 2 years. Explore Creative Movement Classical Ballet and Jazz with our professional teachers and musicians.
<Read More>
Teen Classes
Photo: TSOD Archives
Our TED Classes - Teens Exploring Dance - give youth the space and time to delve into Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary Dance, Choreography and Composition, guided by professional artists and musicians
<Read More>
Adult Programmes
Photo: Nicola Fridgen
From beginner to advanced levels, we have an extensive selection of Adult Classes - Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Contemporary, Choreography, Jazz, Lyrical, Pilates, and Progressing Ballet Technique with fantastic teachers and accompanists
<Read More>
Dance is BEST® for Seniors
Photo: Nicola Fridgen
Specially designed for older learners our Dance is BEST programmes help improve mobility and co-ordination, while boosting energy! Dance is BEST offers physical and mental health benefits with social interactions after classes to share and connect.
<Read More>
Connecting with Dance
for people with Parkinson's
These nourishing classes, led by Maria Shepertycki, dovetail creative movement and music! Connecting with Dance encourages and supports through interpretive seated and standing exercises designed to activate and ease participants from head to toe.
Please dance with us in a simple, seated movement sequence celebrating the vastness of Canada.
Connecting with Dance is a registered programme of Dance is BEST®
<Read More>
DragonFly®
Photo: Barbara Roblin
Our Programme for Learners with Down Syndrome
DragonFly® develops critical skills needed by learners with Down syndrome. Based on international research and best practices, our DragonFly® programmes instill confidence and independence in movement, reading, math and social interactions. We believe that young people with Down syndrome can be independent, thoughtful contributors to society, capable of setting and achieving their own goals.
The School of Dance thanks the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
DanceONTour®
Photo: Gilles Vézina
Tours will resume 2022
Workshops and Performances made accessible to students across Eastern Ontario and Western Québec, with our teaching artists and young dancers in training. Youth sharing art with youth.
Gallery 200
Photo: TSOD Archives
Public art space <Read More>
Performances
The School of Dance produces a variety of performances each season featuring our young dancers in training. From studio to STAGE – at the National Arts Centre, the Museum of History Theatre, Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, Arts Court Theatre, and ODD BOX Theatre.
See you next season!
Photo: Composer/pianist James K. Wright, Professor, School for Studies in Art & Culture: Music, Supervisor of Graduate Studies, Carleton University
with dancers from The School of Dance
by Gilles Vézina
The School of Dance thanks Microsoft for their ongoing support.
SUMMER 2022
Summer Dance Days 2022
Photo: John Nolan
SOLD OUT
In-Person Full Day Camp (9am-4pm)
July 4- August 26, 2022
Ages 4-11
Young Artists in Residence
Photo: Gilles Vézina
In-Person Ballet and Contemporary Training
July 18-29, 2022
Level: Cecchetti Grade 4 or equivalent
Summer Co.
Photo: Gilles Vézina
In-Person Ballet and Contemporary Training
Summer Co. 1 - July 4-15, 2022
Level: Cecchetti Grades 5/6 or equivalent
Summer Co. 2 - July 18-29, 2022
Level: Cecchetti Intermediate or equivalent
Adult Summer Classes
Photo: Andrew Lee/CBC
Summer in the City
The School of Dance thanks Microsoft for their ongoing support.
Photo Essay by
Felix and Javier
The School of Dance thanks the City of Ottawa for their ongoing support.
Virtual Campus
Photo: D. Brian Campbell
Instructional videos <Read More>
The School of Dance thanks the Province of Ontario for their support
The School of Dance would like to thank the City of Ottawa for its ongoing support.
Artist in Residence Programme
Maryse Maynard
Artist in Residence Programme Maryse Maynard
Beth Ross
Artist in Residence Programme Beth Ross
The School of Dance thanks the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support
Workplace Charitable Campaign
Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign and The School of Dance
The School of Dance thanks the J.P. Bickell Foundation.
Community
The School of Dance Helps the Community
Studio Rental - Not available at this time.
The School of Dance thanks the City of Ottawa for their ongoing support.
Awards
Rich Little Endowment Fund
for the Performing Arts Awards
Miriam Benoy
Simone Brown
September 2021
The School of Dance announced today the winners of the Rich Little Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts, provided by the City of Ottawa to The School of Dance for administration:
- Miriam Benoy
(Ward 13—Rideau-Rockliffe, represented by Rawlson King) - Simone Brown
(Ward 11—Beacon Hill-Cyrville, represented by Tim Tierney)
The School of Dance is proud to collaborate with the City of Ottawa in the important role of supporting young dance artists. The School of Dance gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the City of Ottawa.
Congratulations to Miriam and Simone!
Rich Little Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts
This program was designed specifically to assist young emerging artists in the continuation of intensive professional training in the performing arts (dance, theatre, and music).
In 2021, local arts training organizations with solid track records of providing professional arts training to young adults were invited to act as third-party recommenders in a partnership approach to the awarding of funding. Each organization selected two to three deserving students to receive a grant, funded through the Rich Little Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts.
Celia Franca Award
Ottawa, January 1, 2020
The Celia Franca Award was presented this year to Janna Matoussova, a Level 8 student in The School’s Professional Ballet Programme (Ward 10—Gloucester-Southgate, represented by Diane Deans).
The Award, in honour of Miss Franca, a great Canadian icon and a Co-Artistic Director of The School of Dance for many years, is presented annually to a young dancer showing commitment, dedication, excellent work ethic, exemplary behaviour and an outstanding love of dance.
The Celia Franca Award is represented by the sculpture After Arabesque by Canadian Artist Anne Harris.
The School of Dance wishes to thank those who contributed via The Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign
Stuart Conger Learning Centre
Stuart Conger
The Centre, named for Stuart Conger to acknowledge his years of dedicated support of The School, is located on the second floor of The School of Dance. <Read More>
The School of Dance thanks the Conger Family for their support
Dance of Life Health!
Physiotherapy for Dancers
Pamela Place PT FCAMPT CAFCI
Clients are encouraged to contact Pam Place directly at 613-899-3947 or physiopam@gmail.com
Massage Therapy
RMT Siri Bandhu.
The School of Dance thanks the City of Ottawa for their ongoing support.
About The School
History
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Staff and Faculty
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Guest Teachers and Choreographers
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General Information
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Accessibility, Privacy, Policies and Procedures
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Donate to The School of Dance
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Wikipedia article
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- The School of Dance and the Government of Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant program -
Government Support
The School of Dance gratefully acknowledges the generous support of:
The School of Dance thanks the Province of Ontario for their support
We would like to thank
Ministry of Culture for Ontario, Canada Council for the Arts, Cultural Human Resources Council, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Ontario Arts Foundation, City of Ottawa, The Celia Franca Foundation, The Chawkers Foundation, Cold Nose Productions, The Harold Crabtree Foundation, The George Lunan Foundation, The Community Foundation of Ottawa, Acacia Fund, Gunther, Inge Abrahamson Fund, Betty Davison Fund, The Ottawa Citizen, Shirley and Stuart Conger, Joyce Conger Fund for the Arts, Stephen Conger, Jane Low, Microsoft, TechSoup, MDS Nordion, Canada Post Corporation, J.P. Bickell Foundation, TD Canada Trust, Cross Border Management, TELUS, CIBC, mbna, Victoria and Walter Prystawski, Michael Potter, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, Bridgewater Systems, Spiteri, Ursulak LLP, Kathleen Grimes, Iain Trevena, anonymous, Anonymous.
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I Love The School of Dance Campaign
A button for you
(and a second one two)
We hope that you pass it along
On backpacks and shoes
(we’re spreading the news)
The School is where dancers belong
Pick up your free button in the office.