On the One (OTO) is intended to be the number-one place for all things dance. The dancing communities decide the programme, while we work behind the scenes. In this way, On the One is in service of dance, rather than dance being in service of us. On the One facilitates—the dancer creates. On the One’s doors are open to people from all cultures and walks of life with a desire to organise events for Eindhoven’s urban-dance communities. Our approach aims to bring people together by uniting a range of different styles, creating power in numbers and giving dancers the opportunity to acquaint themselves with different types of dance and music, but also to transfer their knowledge of dance to others via the “Each One Teach One” concept.

The Each One Teach One mentality is all about passing on knowledge and experience. Those at the top must always have an eye towards the next generation not to forget their roots. Top dancers guard the culture’s essence and are responsible for passing it on. This is the reason we programme from the desires of the communities and teachers. They know where the needs lie, and what is required to establish or strengthen a dance community. Where many dance schools exclusively offer group lessons with a clear student-teacher structure, in which a group of students copy the teacher, we at OTO choose instead to emphasise individual growth. Students learn to express themselves as individuals through dance, over time developing their own, unique style. Solo dancing in class, performing to a group or participating in dance battles also contribute to the development of students’ confidence (it takes courage and perseverance to put yourself out there)—confidence they will benefit from for the rest of their lives.