Johnnie’s Dancing School

Johnnie’s was run by Miss Mabel Johnson from her house, complete with a ballroom, at 1 Omahu Road, Remuera.

There were many dance halls holding regular dances across Auckland city as part of a lively social life. There would be a live orchestra or band playing both old-time and modern music for ballroom and modern jazz dancing. There would be competition dancing, spot prizes of chocolates and cigarettes, chocolate roulettes, balloons and streamers for a Monte Carlo dance. Supper would often be provided. There would be a small charge from 1 shilling up to 3 shillings, men paying more than the ladies.

Mabel Johnson was born in 1897 in Bishop Auckland, Durham in the northeast of England. Her first address in New Zealand was Tillingham, Massey Rd, Otahuhu in 1914 to 1919. Then records show her at I Omahu Rd from 1922 to 1938, which became 11 Omahu Rd after World War 2. This house was probably on the corner of Omahu Rd and Dromorne Rd. Miss Johnson taught dance and resided there until 1966. She died in 1967.

Mabel Johnson was a highly qualified dance teacher. She regularly travelled to England and Paris to learn about the latest dances and teaching methods. She was a Member and Examiner of the Imperial Society of Dancing Teachers in London and the National Association of Teachers of Dancing in New Zealand – M.N.A.T.D., M.I.S.T.D. In 1935 she was appointed sole examiner for New Zealand in the ballroom branch of the National Association of Teachers of Dancing – this was the first time it had been possible to take the teachers’ examination outside England, with the exception of Africa, where an examiner was sent from London occasionally. (Evening Post, 19 Jan 1935).

Classes for aspiring dance teachers were advertised as:

SPECIALISTS in all All Branches of Dancing. CLASS LESSONS—AII Classes Reopen after Easter. PRIVATE LESSONS at Either Studio. TEACHERS’ COURSES — Intensive Coaching, covering the Syllabus of the Imperial Society Examinations. AMATEUR MEDAL TESTS — Special Coaching for the Bronze and Silver Medal Tests. (Auckland Star 16 April 1938)

Mabel Johnson taught dancers of all ages – there were classes for ‘babies’, children on Saturday mornings, Boys’ and Girls’ Ballroom Classes on Friday and Saturday Evenings and an Adult Practice Class on Monday Evenings. The classes were strictly conducted and controlled by Miss Johnson. Chaperones were present and all girls had to be met to be taken home.

Mabel Johnson held concerts during the year and at the end of the dance year, where the dance students demonstrated their skills and which were all very well attended.  A newspaper article describes how she encouraged her students to compose their own dances.

“A most interesting demonstration was given on Saturday afternoon at the Ballroom, Omahu Road, by Miss Mabel Johnson’s pupils. Among the items presented were several classical dances. The Frieze Dance, by the seniors, with its appropriate background black, was striking, and the little ones, in their free and happy rendering of Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song” were charming. Another very successful number was that of an old-world gavotte by about 20 tiny children in dainty Early Victorian frocks. A clever ballet, entitled the “Conquest of Frost,” was excellently interpreted. That Miss Johnson trios to encourage originality in her pupils was clearly shown by dances entirely composed by the performers themselves. The final item to a very enjoyable afternoon was a minuet, danced by 20 of the seniors, which was a pleasure to watch. Tea was served to the guests. Among the parents present were Mrs. P. Upton, Mrs. Thorne George, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Penty, Mrs. Tonks, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Bunting, Mrs. Brewer, Mrs. Moses, Mrs. Dalton, Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs. Craig, Mrs. Seaward, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Winkfield, Mrs. Proctor, Mrs. Court, Mrs Colyer, Mrs. Moorhouse, Mrs. Paterson, Mrs. Kissling, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Forgie, Mrs. Keith, Mrs. Free, Mrs. Sloman, Mrs Stanton, Mrs. Aitken, Mrs. Holderness, Mrs. Makgill, Mrs. King, Mrs. Madden, Mrs. McLean, Mrs. Brose, Mrs. Horton, Mrs Hutchison, Mrs, Bagnall, Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Coates, Mrs. Gould-Smith, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Crawshaw, Mrs. Blomfield.” (1)

In 1934, Mabel Johnson announced she was opening a city studio for private lessons in ballroom dancing and fencing, to be under the direction of Jock Hutchison, Associate of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. He was also direct from the Victor Silvester Studio and Bertrand’s Fencing Academy, London. (2)

At the end of each dance year, Mabel Johnson held a dance at a large venue such as the Famers’ Trading Company Hall or Town Hall where competition cups were presented. Hundreds of people attended.

–PRESENTATION OF CUPS PUPILS’ COMPETITIONS More than 500 guests were present at the annual dance of the Mabel Johnson-Jock Hutchison School of Dancing held on Saturday night at the Farmers’ Trading Company’s Hall. The guests were received by Miss Johnson, who was wearing a frock of black taffetas with a shoulder spray of carnations, assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Jock Hutchison, the latter wearing cyclamen georgette. During the evening competitions were held and silver cups were presented to the following pupils —First-year pupils, Saturday night, boys, Jack Bennett; girls, Marjorie Quilter; second year, Friday night, boys, Bob Nairn; Saturday night, girls, Suissah Murray; open championship, boys, Laurie Stevens and Bob Nairn; girls, Beryl Dickson.

Before the open championship finished and graceful slow fox trot was demonstrated by Mr. and Mrs.  Hutchison, their performance meeting with warm appreciation. This was followed by an effective quick-step sequence danced by five couples, the girls wearing white taffetas with large black bows.

The judges of the competitions were Miss Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison and Miss Dilyse Askin. The gift of a travelling clock was made to Miss Johnson by Marjorie Quilter and Jack Bennett at the request of Mr. Hutchison, on behalf of the pupils and staff. Miss Johnson spoke appreciatively in reply. (3)

–SCHOOL OF DANCING. PRESENTATION OF CUPS Nearly 500 people attended the 20th annual dance of the Mabel Johnson/Jock Hutchison School of Dancing held on Saturday night in the Farmers’ Trading Company Reception Hall. Those present included many pupils from the three services. Owing to the absence through illness of Miss Johnson, the guests were received by Mrs. Hutchison. During the evening competitions of the various classes were held and at the conclusion championship cups were presented as follows: —Saturday night class: Girls, Betty Donald: boys, Guy Dale. Friday night class: Girls, Alison Bell; boys/ lan Woolley. Open championship: Girls, Gwen Martyn and Beryl; Dickson (tied); boys, Laurie Stevens. After supper a quickstep demonstration was given by Mr. and Mrs. Jock Hutchison, followed by a waltz formation sequence danced by nine couples. Presentations from the various classes were made to Miss Johnson and to Mrs. Hutchison. (4)

–MABEL JOHNSON. JOCK HUTCHISON SCHOOL OF DANCING. OUR ANNUAL DANCE Will be Held at the TOWN HALL, On SATURDAY. OCTOBER 14. From 8 to 12. We hope old Pupils and their Friends will come. Tickets, 4/6, including Supper, can be obtained at the Ballroom before October 13. No tickets will be sold at the Hall. (5)

–HUTCHISON SCHOOL DANCE

Always an important event, the end of the year dance, of the Jock Hutchison School of Dancing in the Town Hall drew over 1200 parents and pupils. Impress such features, as 30 couples of the Friday night class dancing in quickstep formation, four senior couples in a graceful slow foxtrot; and the quickstep by Mrs and Mrs Jock Hutchison (she in a full-skirted frock of black net over pink). Other demonstrations illustrated four rhythms, rhumba by 15 couples, quickstep by eight couples, and modern and Vienna waltzes by Mr and Mrs Hutchison. (6) This event in 1947 drew the largest number of people.

The Ballroom was also available for dance parties, events, wedding receptions, social evenings and dances, fundraisers e.g.

–ALPINE SPORTS CLUB.

An excellent programme and dancing made the evening held by the members of the Alpine Sports Club at the ballroom, Omahu Road, last evening, a most enjoyable one. Musical items were given by Miss Amy Hansard, Miss Joyce O’Halloran and Mr. Geoffrey C. Laird, Mr. S. N. Von Stunner spoke of a holiday tramp on the Coromandel. (7)

–DANCING AND BRIDGE. EARTHQUAKE RELIEF.

In aid of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake relief fund, a delightful dance and bridge evening was given by Miss Mabel Johnson, of Omahu Road, Remuera, on Saturday. About 100 dancers were present and those, who preferred bridge were accommodated in Miss Johnson’s house adjoining the ballroom. The sum of £l9 was cleared for the relief fund. (8)

–Diocesan High School Old GIRLS’ LEAGUE. VICTORY DANCE. Miss Mabel Johnson’s Ballroom, 11 Omahu Road. Remuera. on WEDNESDAY, October 10, 1945, from 8 p.m. to 12. Double Tickets, 10/. J. BEALE. Ph. 41-328. Treasurer. (9)

–Party Powwow.

For the recently married member for the district, Mr R. M. Algie, and Mrs Algie, the Remuera general committee and the women’s committee of the Remuera branch of the National Party, last week gave a sherry party. Held in Miss Mabel Johnson’s ballroom, in Omahu Road, where a big log fire and bowls of poinsettias served only to accentuate the warm welcome given the guests of honour, the party proved a very enjoyable affair. Mr. Lisle Alderton, president of the Remuera branch, presented Mr. and Mrs Algie with a silver salver. Mrs E. M. Gould, president of the women’s committee, acted as hostess, wearing a flame frock with a black coat and hat. Mrs Algie wore a suit of tweeds and a spray of flowers presented to her. (10)

–STUDIO PARTY.

SUPPER AND DANCE. BALLET MEMBERS ENTERTAINED. Miss Mabel Johnson’s studio at Omahu Road presented a gay scene last night, when a party was held in honour of the members of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet. The studio, which was arranged with small supper tables and a bar in one corner, gave the appearance of a Continental cafe. In the middle of the room a long table was spread with cold chicken, ham, turkey and several enormous roasts of beef, and the guests were given supper in the true Continental style.

Miss Mabel Johnson received her guests-wearing a graceful frock of dull gold cloque patterned in gold thread. After supper those who wished entertained themselves with dancing, while” a large open fire and comfortable armchairs were arranged for those who wished to chat. (11)

–Scandinavian Club. —The monthly social and dance took the form of a gala Norwegian evening to commemorate Norway’s National Day, which fell earlier in the month, and to celebrate Norway’s liberation. The president, Mr. F. T. Rostgard, in welcoming the guests, pointed out that this was the first occasion on which a Norwegian evening had been arranged by the club when Norway was not under the shadow of war. He extended a special welcome to Mr. M. Nielsen, president of the recently-formed Scandinavian Club in Hamilton. The Norwegian Vice-consul, Mr. D. Millar, addressed the gathering, and folk dances by a group of children dressed in national costumes, were among the Norwegian items enjoyed. (12)

A new ballroom was built in Remuera – a green tin shed called The Dorchester. But ballroom dancing was on the decline –  the 1960s were a different music and dance scene from the 1950s. Rock and roll had arrived. Jock Hutchison returned to England and Mabel Johnson died in 1967.  The era of formal ballroom dancing in Remuera had ended.

Read the story about Johnny’s Dancing School –

Dancing School by Alison Masters. Metro Magazine December 1984.