Merrilee Hodgins has been Co-director of The School of Dance since 1976. Ms Hodgins has a strong interest in training children to become professional dancers. She has extensive experience in planning and implementing training programmes for children and teachers. She is the co-author of a syllabus of children's ballet training for The School of Dance.

The School of Dance offers 3 workshops for schools,

1. Circles, Squares and Triangles

Shapes in movement, movement in shapes-using the body to explore. this kinesthetic exploration of geometric shapes offers studebts a simple introductio to the expressive and creative potentials of movement.

Requires: Merrilee Hodgins and musician

Space: small gymnasium with smooth and clean floor surface

Support: Piano and bench, crayons or other simple drawing tools

Preview: Simple activity sheet provided by The School of Dance

2. Do You See What I Hear?

Based on the poetry of Ogden Nash with the music from the Carnival of Animals by Camille Saint Säens. the children are asked to draw whatevor the music inspires. The drawings then become the foundation for improvised movement which leads to the presentation of choreography.

Requires: Merrilee Hodgins / musician / 8 students form T. S.o.D.

Space: small gymnasium with smooth and clean floor surface

Technical: T. S.o.D. will lay own floor and portable sound system

Support: Piano and bench, crayons or other simple drawing tools

Preview: Ogden Nash poetry; a student reader(s) preferred