09/29/2026
The Dancer's Notebook...
Who deserves the best teacher in a dance school? I have always believed it is the beginner.
Years ago, I had a conversation about business models with an expert who told me my approach to teaching young children was all wrong.
Why, he asked, would I use excellent, highly knowledgeable teachers for the youngest students?
His advice was to save money by using less knowledgeable teachers for beginners and reserve the best teachers for experienced, advanced students.
Young children, he reasoned, didn’t know any better.
I couldn’t disagree more.
The first steps of learning set the entire journey.
Those early classes are where children begin to understand musicality, posture, coordination and the foundations of technique. But they are also where they discover what it feels like to learn dance.
To listen. To concentrate. To try again. To master something that was difficult yesterday. And, hopefully, to love doing it. Coaching with major teachers comes along in due course.
Understanding and loving the foundations of ballet matters whether a student eventually pursues professional training or dances simply because it brings them joy.
Beginners don’t need less from their teachers.
They deserve our very best.
Until next time... keep dancing.
Merrilee Hodgins, Artistic Director
The Dancer's Notebook is a weekly reflection from Merrilee Hodgins, Artistic Director of The School of Dance, sharing five decades of experience in dance education, movement, and lifelong learning.
📷: Merrilee Hodgins from The School of Dance Archive
We gratefully acknowledge the support of:
Ontario Government
Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario
City of Ottawa
