Miss Hayes

Doreen Hayes Recital - Ryerson 2010

Miss Doreen Hayes started her dance school  in 1956 with 85 students as a single mother with two small children.  She began by teaching Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Acro and Baton in the dining room of her Pauline Avenue home in Toronto, turning her living room into the parents' waiting room.

Miss Hayes moved to the Jane and Bloor location in 1957 to a small one room studio, and was the only teacher for the first five years.  Over the years, Miss Hayes has encouraged the love of dance to thousands.  Students and Teachers come and go but The Doreen Hayes School of Dancing has remained a consistent and professional Dance Studio for 55 years.

During the 60's and 70's Doreen had a very popular  lounge act and trio called Doreen Hayes and her 44's!  A frequent headliner on the Airport Strip at the Woodbine Room in the Constellation Hotel, the Hook & Ladder club at the Beverly Hills Hotel and many others including the Black Knight Room at the Royal York Hotel downtown Toronto.


Miss Hayes still works diligently, managing the school from her little office with the help of her 4 teachers, while continuing as a  ROLE MODEL for women entrepreneurs and aspiring Dance Teachers.