Our Founder: Pauline Goddard A.R.A.D.
Ms.Pauline Goddard (maiden name Hocken ) affectionately known as Miss Pauline was born on December 11, 1918 Cornwall, England. As a little girl she had dreams of becoming a Prima Ballerina, and she would frequently go to the London Opera House and watch her favorite Prima Ballerina Margot Fonteyn. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father was an officer of the British Royal Navy. They moved around all over the world with the military and wanted her to become a school teacher. But Miss Pauline had bigger plans for herself and told her parents that she was going to follow her dreams of becoming a dancer…..”A Star.” Miss Pauline could not be deterred from her strong desire, so she left her parents with no choice but for her to remain in London and pursue her dreams. At the age of 17 she received formal training and was an associate member of the Royal Academy of Dance. Along with her training and her natural dance ability, it wasn’t long after that Miss Pauline took the world by storm; performing for 30 years all over the world in cities and countries such as London, Madrid, Paris, Germany, Holland, Cairo, Canada, Mexico and the USA. Miss Pauline performed for the frontline World War II troops in Italy. She was a Prima Ballerina of the Theatre San Carlo in Naples and the Latin American Ballet of Buenos Aires. She also headlined Cabaret shows all over Europe as a solo act and was also famously known for the Spanish duet act “Miranda & Rosa” with her long time friend Rosa from England. Miss. Pauline was a very accomplished and versatile dancer. She performed in Contemporary ballets, Spanish/Flamenco, Can Can, Mexican hat dance, Modern ballets, Oriental/Russian, Rumba & Jazz dance. Influenced by all of her show business experience in Europe it was only natural she would jump over the pond. And in 1957 Miss Pauline stepped on board the Queen Mary from London and set sail for America.
Miss Pauline was later joined by her husband and manager the late Robert Goddard and they opened the European School of Dance in 1965. Miss Pauline decided to share all that she learned in show business, her passion, love, technique and choreography in many ethnic styles of dance. Miss Pauline instructed hundreds of students for many decades. Most of her students stay with her for most of their dance training years and later bring their own children to study with her. Miss Pauline’s students started gaining exposure in the 1970’s to the present on shows such as the AL Albert’s Showcase/WPVI Channel 6, The Joe Franklin Show Channel 9. She appeared with good friend Jane Wynman on a telethon at the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Broadway; telecasts by WORTV-Channel 9. Her most recent television appearance was when she was featured on News 12 NJ on her life and 40 year dance business with Della Cruz. She was a member of the New Jersey Theatre Guild for many years and in 1992 she chaperoned students too study in Russia with the Kirov Ballet. In 2002 Miss. Pauline received a proclamation of Edison Township (the Key to the City) from former Mayor Spadaro, for her dedicated work in her community through the arts.
Pauline continued to teach her students up to a week before she died at age 88.
The European School of Dance is one of the oldest dance institutions in Edison. Miss Pauline has served Middlesex County for 42 years, educating and choreographing youth and adults in ballet, Pointe, jazz, tap,and various styles of dance and TV arts. She has been a great influence on her students for decades, resulting in her students transitioning into professional careers as accomplished teachers, studio owners, members of professional modern and Ballet Company’s, regional touring companies and Broadway. She has served the community with the gift of dance performance in Stage Shows, Middlesex County’s Hand in Hand, Community Festival & Fairs in Edison and Perth Amboy, Malls, Hospitals, Veteran Homes and local TV shows. She has facilitated the opportunity for students to perform and gain experience at the same time educating and entertaining her community. She has produced dancers and choreographers who have participated in Dance programs such as the New Jersey Dance Theatre Guild, Princeton Ballet, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Montclair University, Middlesex College, American Dance Machine, Kids World, Nat’l tour of Can Can, Tony Grant’s Stars of Tomorrow, Dick Richards Productions, Plays-in-the-Park, Kids in the Park, various Music Videos, a two-time winner of the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards recipient, performers in the Broadway shows STOMP, CATS and 42nd Street. Broadway National tours of Crazy for You, My One and Only & Five Guys Name Moe, just to name a few.
The European School of Dance & TV Arts was a Second Home to her dancers. Pauline Goddard never had children of her own, but she was a Surrogate Mother to all of her students Generation after Generation.