Did You Know? Featuring Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Plano instructor, Charlie Dee!

All About Charlie

Charlie has been with us in the Plano studio since 2011, but his experience with dance goes way back! He has taught for everything from cotillion to beauty pageants in his years of dancing. Charlie's laugh and warm smile make him fun to learn from! He relocated from sunny Florida to work at our studios and has quickly made Texas his new home!

Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Movie(s): Avengers, The Color Purple, Titanic
Favorite Dance: Swing

Charlie started dancing when he was just 7 years old. But he wasn't a dance teacher right from the start! His first job was as a stock boy at his father's auto parts store in New York. He also put in time as a server before finding his calling as a dance teacher. He says that what he loves most about teaching people is making people smile and showing them they can have fun while learning. He says if he were to do any other job he would be a Life Coach or a Counselor.

He enjoys traveling, gardening, and visiting the park. Spring is his favorite season because of all the beautiful colors and the weather. He enjoys being around people with a good sense of humor. He says that he is inspired by music, his family, friends, and church. He is scared of Gina yelling in his ear! :) And he gets teary eyed when he feels homesick or when he sees someone get an award for a good deed.

If he could go anywhere in the world he would visit Africa. The funniest thing that has ever happened to him was that he used to fall down a lot in front of people. (Random Gravity Checks) The bravest thing he ever did was save a lady and her purse from a purse-snatcher! Way to go, Charlie!

His quote to live by is...

He's not Italian or anything! 

Dance...the Solution to Broken Resolutions!

As we begin a New Year, we are faced with the challenge of making the changes we promise ourselves. How many of the Top 10 Resolutions in this picture are on your list? How many have you tried to achieve for years and years, yet they always end up falling by the wayside? Here's some great news...there is ONE ACTIVITY that can help you achieve most of these goals! What is it? Why, it's DANCING, of course!

1) Exercise: We all vow to hit the gym more often, or run, or walk, or work out. But, then we get bored. Our motivation lags. We just can't face the thought of doing one more sit up or chest press. Dancing, on the other hand, is FUN! It's exercise without really feeling like exercise. It can be done at the studio, the night club, on the cruise ship, in your living room, really anywhere you like. It doesn't matter the time of day, the weather, or even if you don't have a partner. Dance is exercise made easy!!!

2) Quit Smoking: Ok, you might think it would be a stretch to equate learning to dance with helping you to quit smoking, but it really is a pretty easy relation. When is the last time you saw someone on the dance floor holding a cigarette in their hand? Smoking and dancing don't go together very well. There's the issue of stamina and needing healthy lungs, the fact that you can't even smoke in most places you would need to frequent to dance, it's not appealing to most partners to be up close and personal with an ashtray, not to mention you need both hands to dance! It's also a great way to keep busy and keep your mind off your cravings! See, that was easy!

3) Lose Weight: Even easier...not only does learning to dance give you a fun way to get exercise, but all the great group classes, parties, and events on the Arthur Murray calendar give you a great excuse to get up off the couch, put the remote down, and come out and do something physically active! Plus, you've got friends (and teachers) at the studio who will help keep you accountable and motivated!

4) Quit Drinking: Similar to smoking...when is the last time you saw someone dancing with a drink in their hand? If you want to dance, you have to have both hands free, which means less time standing around chatting and sipping, and more time on the dance floor! Dancers are in high demand and you will probably find that you don't even have time to stand in line at the bar and order a drink before the next guy or gal asks you for a dance! Plus, most dancers prefer to drink water while they are dancing! Why? It's better for you, gives you energy, and saves you money so you can take more lessons and learn more dances and go out more places! :)

5) Enjoy life more: Another easy one! Who wouldn't love to have a skill that would allow you to really get out there and enjoy every party, reunion, wedding, work event, cruise, social event that you attend? We all love music, and being able to dance to that music makes life so much more enjoyable. Plus, there's the great people you meet, giving you a fun social circle with lots of invites and activities, chances to dress up and go to the studio events, chances to travel, and so much more! I could go on and on for this one!

6) More Family Time: I'm going to edit this one slightly to say "More QUALITY Family Time". When you are stresses out as a parent or spouse, all too often we bring home that stress to our family. Stopping by the studio after work a few days a week can help release your stress from work and allow you to go home refreshed and happy to your family. That way, the time you are spending with them is better! The whole family can dance, too. If you don't have kids (well, even if you do), dancing is a great way to reconnect as husband and wife and steal a few moments of real together time a few times a week. This helps renew your relationship and keeps things exciting and fresh!

7) Get Out of Debt: Although there is an initial cost to learn to dance, think of it as an investment in yourself. Once you have mastered the skills you want, you have something that you can do anytime you want! Going out dancing can save you the astronomical costs of movies, shopping as retail therapy, spending money on more expensive hobbies that maybe don't fulfill you. And, as several of our students have said, dancing is cheaper than counseling...or divorce...

8) Learn Something New: well, not much for me to say here...self explanatory!

9) Help Others: Our organization is filled with dancers of all levels who started right where you are today. You will find that as you grow in your dancing, you will become one of those dancers and will help the new people feel included! Also, when you have the confidence to dance, you will be more likely to ask others to dance with you. Who knows, that wallflower you ask to dance next Friday night might be the next life you change!

10) Get Organized: You won't have a choice with all the activities that will start to show up on your social calendar once you learn to dance!!!

So, there you have it! Dancing is a great way to keep ALL of your Resolutions!
Call today, Dance tonight!

Dallas: 972-702-9660
Plano: 972-312-1262

or find a studio near you at: www.arthurmurray.com's Studio Locator!

Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Dallas and Plano asked our Managers and Dance Directors "Why don't the teachers teach technique during Group Class?"

Why don't the teachers teach technique in Group Class? Have you ever wondered? This is the day to find out!

Sarah: Have you ever heard of the phrase "Paralysis by over-analysis" ? Or have you ever experienced trying to accomplish too many things all at the same time that you ended up not being able to do/complete anything? Well, one of the best things about the 3-part system that Arthur Murray uses is that it saves you from doing too much all at once which, in the end, saves you time and makes learning to dance easier. Using the 3 parts is a sure-fire way to become a successful dancer at any level. While private lessons are designed to teach you necessary techniques and the finer points of dancing, Group Classes teach you the pattern and give you the absolutely NECESSARY time to practice those patterns on your own balance. Most people didn't grow up dancing, so learning to control your momentum from one foot to another is paramount! Don't mix trying to LEARN techniques and finer points with balance and patterns! Once your teacher has told you you are safe to practice certain techniques in a group class GO FOR IT! It's never ending... the amount you can learn and progress with the 3 part system! 

Ian: The group classes are designed to help students primarily with balance, and to expose them to new dances or to new steps within the dances.  It's very difficult to teach technique in a group setting as not everyone is in the same place.  As students progress through their individual programs, they become better dancers and their needs change.  It's very difficult to assess where everyone is in a class of up to 30 students and apply technique (and it saves anyone from feeling like they're holding the class back or doubting their ability).  So, we aim to work on individual balance by teaching the steps without a partner first.  That way, students can think about the steps without worrying about leading or following.  

Justin: When a student takes advantage of each of the three part Arthur Murray system, they truly maximize their experience and return.  The main purpose of group class is to develop balance, which is why we spend time dancing the figures on our own without a partner. Repetition creates familiarity of movements we use in the figures, which gives smoother movement and more control.  When we take time to develop that independent of our partner, we become a better leader/follower when we do dance with someone.  Because each person has a different goal for their dance proficiency, it is challenging to cover the appropriate technique that any one student would need- the individual lesson provides a much more effective arena for that.  That's also why we cover minimal leading and following concepts in class.  The more time you spend on balance in group class, the less time you need to cover that on a lesson or at the party!

Nikki: Have you ever been to a Zumba Class, or a Martial Arts class, watched the instructor do something, tried your hardest to replicate it, and then wonder if you were actually doing it the way they were??  Here's the thing, unless someone can take the time to help make sure that you are using the right muscles and the right power, you are basically just making up how to do something, and hoping for the best.  Unfortunately, in ANY kind of group class, the instructor doesn't have the time or ability to go to each student individually and make sure they are using the right form every time...  That's what makes private lessons so valuable.

If the teachers spent time going from student to student, trying to teach the techniques that came with each particular step within a figure, you MIGHT get 1-2 figures learned within the time allotted...  And then, when would you learn all the figures that you need to have a working knowledge of before you see you teacher next?  So...  in order for the teachers to be effective in their teaching, we have to use each part of our 3 part system for it's intended purpose.  Privates for technique, groups for a working knowledge of figures, and parties for practical application of figures AND techniques.

Adriann: The 3 part system (i.e. private lessons, group classes, parties) works best when each piece is allowed to do its job. Did you every notice how hard it is to dance with proper technique when you're trying to remember where to go? It's not easy. That's why teachers don't teach technique in group classes. So that all students in the appropriate level can learn the steps without the added pressure of trying to learn the technique simultaneously. It gives our brains the break they need to focus on, and get comfortable with, one piece of the puzzle at a time. Like making sure the foundation of a house is solid before you try putting up walls.


Lindsey: This is a GREAT question because throughout the years, I have had this one many times. First let's discuss the function of the group class. Group class is designed to teach balance through figures. The "how?" question is answered by the fact that dancers gain repetition of movement over and over and over again, thus producing muscle memory. The "why" follows by the fact that muscle memory develops confidence within ones own body to do the task at hand. Much like handwriting, when you first learn how to write each letter, it's awkward, misshapen,  and takes a while to get into the groove of it. Then next thing you know, someone asks you to write your name and you don't even think twice about it because it's second nature to you. Dancing is no different. You practice the pattern of a box step or a cross body lead, for example, and it seems so bizarre. Then after a few weeks, you think to yourself "oh yeah... That thing that goes like this? Got it!"

Now onto the real question. We don't teach technique in class for 2 main reasons. For one, each person learns differently, at a different pace, and at a different skill level. Arthur Murray is famous for customizing programs based on each students specific needs at their specific pace. So how could we possibly go against what we are so good at doing and generalize technique in class? The second reason goes back to the handwriting analogy. If you never took the time to practice and learn how to print correctly, then how could your school teacher ever be able to help understand or even write in cursive? This is like adding Cuban Motion to your box step or cross body lead. Because you understood the original material so well, you're able to add flare and style to make it more.

This is why as teachers we never want to rob our students of the opportunity to get that muscle memory or confidence by making you focus on technique simultaneously. To be honest, that would be kind of mean.

We asked the managers at Arthur Murray Dallas and Plano the following question: What is a check out and why is it Important?

You've all heard the buzz in the studios about the upcoming Medal Ball celebration. Your teacher has probably mentioned checking out to you. This week, we decided to ask our esteemed panel of managers for an explanation of what all the fuss is about. Read on...

Sarah: Think of Checkouts like a final exam and graduation mixed with a quality-control check and coaching! Wow, sounds like a lot of great stuff doesn't it?! IT IS! 

   Ever want to know how you are doing? Would you like to keep track of exactly what you're learning and why? Do you ever want to know WHEN you'll actually OWN what you've been learning!? Checkouts do exactly that, plus a graduation celebration when you're through! 

   From the day you stepped in to the studio, your teachers have been preparing you for the real world. In order to do that, you must learn patterns that will help you navigate in any social situation you'll find yourself in. Our Chart is compiled of a list of patterns chosen and ordered by a team of "Jedi Masters of Dancing" that are constantly working to know what's cutting-edge socially. (I guess I have a lot of Star Wars examples (-: ) From lesson number one, you are being taught exactly what you need and in an ingenious order to make life easy for you. The teachers will prepare you to be able to show the patterns to a third party (your supervisors/managers in the studio who have had many many years of experience learning, teaching, and preparing students of their own for this checkout). You will show the pattern without the aid of your teacher, so don't miss your group classes! The supervisor/manager will then give you feedback and a couple pointers on how to make it even better/easier. 

Once you have completed your checkout you are signed up for an honor dance at our graduation party called MEDAL BALL. This is a social, congratulatory, fun event centered around your achievement! 

   Why is this so valuable? Think about school with no tests. Or a road trip with no billboards or mile markers. All of a sudden, what was intended to be a growth enriched and progressive process becomes aimless and ineffective. And if we are being honest with ourselves, we all grow when we have to study, press in, and be under pressure to complete something. Just like when you clean your house for special company versus just picking it up slightly when you get home after a long day of work and no one to impress. The outcome is completely different, isn't it? You will remember more when you HAVE to. And when you can remember something and execute it successfully, you OWN it! Mission Accomplished! 

THAT, ladies and gentlemen, feels GREAT and every student, no matter how "good" they want to get, deserves to feel this level of accomplishment! Enjoy the Journey!

Ian: Checkouts are a great was to demonstrate to yourself how much you've learned in a way that you can actually see and feel!  Knowing that you did it and mastering the steps that you never thought you could when you walked in the door is monumental!  And once a year, the Arthur Murray family joins together to celebrate our achievements in the studio with our annual Medal Ball. Whether you're a brand new student who finally stepped outside your comfort zone and joined the studio, or you just lost the last of those 10 pounds you were trying for, or you reached Silver (at last!), Medal Ball is a time to celebrate your graduation from one milestone to another in your dancing career!  

Nikki: I get asked all the time if a student HAS to do a check-out or if they have to do a check-out in order to go to Medal Ball...  The short answer to both questions is No.  HOWEVER, I do highly recommend doing a check-out as you progress through your levels.

The main reason for my recommendation is so that you can prove to YOURSELF that you know what you are doing.  It's easy in the chaos of life and dancing to actually realize that you are learning something along the way.  A lot of students view themselves as the non-dancer they have always been, no matter what their team of teachers or executives say.  And the reality is, we can only say so much before we turn into the Peanuts Parents and students just don't hear us at all.  A check-out gives you an opportunity to be in the moment, do a figure to the best of your ability, and to recognize that maybe your teachers were correct when they said, "you got this!"  I have NEVER seen a student upset after a checkout, but I have seen 100% of students smile, stand a little taller, and feel great about beginning the next level in their learning!

Ok, so that's all great, but what is a check-out exactly?  The check-out is a time when the student needs to demonstrate that they have an understanding of what step the examiner is looking for.  It isn't a vocabulary test, so it isn't important that you memorize step names, and to be perfectly honest, as an examiner myself, we also aren't looking at how you begin the figure, or end it (as long as that isn't the component we are making sure you know!)  Each figure is there to teach you something important that you will need in your future dancing, and as long as you can show us THAT component, you are good to go.  For example, if I ask to see Promenade Swivels in Rumba, I am looking to see that somewhere you do Swivels in Promenade position...  But lets be honest, dancing isn't about doing each step off the syllabus exactly the way it's written, it's about being about to do different components and having FUN with them!

Check-outs aren't nearly as scary as we think they are...  Sometimes we just put too much pressure on ourselves to get steps JUST RIGHT, and really, there isn't any need for that.  Have some fun, know that it's just about proving things to yourself, not to us, and relax!!!

Justin: A checkout is a benchmark of progress in your dancing journey. To fill in that picture, let's look at the Arthur Murray program.  The Arthur Murray system is called the Medalist System because the levels progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold. As you learn your Bronze 1 material, you will cover both figures and techniques that serve as the basis for building other levels. The syllabus is designed to inter-relate between the dances and levels, but it's important to recognize the progress you make as you work. It's very easy to get caught up in wanting to be a "good dancer," and to always want to "be better." But as you work towards your ultimate goals, you have to acknowledge the steps you achieve along the way.  Consider a marathon- obviously you want to complete the 26.2 miles that represent the race as a whole. But if you beat yourself up as you run, because you aren't at the finish line yet, what good does that do you? Or you only recognize how much you haven't covered yet, instead of focusing on the fact that you have 5 miles completed, then it can become discouraging or overwhelming. So a checkout serves as a structured reminder of the measurable progress you make on your way to becoming the type of dancer you want to be. That being said, at the point that your teacher says you're ready for the checkout itself, you already know what you need to know. The actual checkout is usually more about proving it to yourself then the teacher checking you. It is often more like a mini-coaching, with feedback to use in your next level. Celebrate your progress with a checkout, and then party with your fellow students at Medal Ball, where we get to recognize your achievement with everyone!

Did You Know? Featuring Arthur Murray Dallas Instructor Ryan West!

Meet Ryan West

Ryan has been an instructor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Dallas for 2 years. His great sense of humor and friendly demeanor have quickly made him a favorite among the students. (Not to mention the little rumor that he looks uncannily like Flynn Rider from Disney's "Tangled"!) Ryan is quite the joker, as you'll see from his answers to our questions...but, did you know?

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Animal: Sloth

Favorite Candy: A giant Whitman's Sampler Box

Favorite Dance: Mazurka

Ryan started dancing at the age of 8. His first job was as a Physical Therapy Technician. He says if he could do anything other than what he does today, he would be a Movie Producer!

Ryan says one thing that is unique about him is that he has Heterochromia! His idol is Willy Wonka (thus the giant Whitman's Sampler mentioned above!). He would love to visit the Bermuda Triangle someday!?!?! And he says if he were a Disney character, he would be the Mad Hatter! Great stuff!

Ryan obviously is a people person! His answers to what makes him laugh, cry, scared and inspired were all the same..."People". The thing he loves most about his job at Arthur Murray is that he gets to impact people's lives.He loves to read and his favorite quote is:

Did You Know: Featuring Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Plano manager Nikki Holland!

Meet Nikki Holland

Nikki has been an integral part of the Arthur Murray family in DFW since 2002! She started as an instructor in Dallas, working her way up through the ranks to become Manager. She recently switched to the Plano studio where she is currently leading the troops! She's a fiery redhead who uses a drill sergeant's whistle on her lessons...but did you know...

Favorite Color: Yellow

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Movie: Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken

Favorite Animal: Horse

Nikki's first job ever was Concert Security! She's a tough cookie - she says the bravest (or maybe dumbest) thing she ever did was ride a 3.000 pound bull just to prove she could! She is inspired by dedication and hard work, and has a fear of losing!

Those rhinestones go great with those spurs!

She says if she could do any other job other than what she does now, she would be a party planner! (If you've been to any of our events, you know this is right up her alley!) She enjoys reading, horseback riding, and playing music. She loves to laugh at stupid jokes, and says everything makes her cry, especially since she's pregnant!

If Nikki could visit anywhere in the world, she would go to Ireland! She prefers tea over coffee, loves Christmas-time, and idolizes her mother! Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing students have those "lightbulb moments". She says if she were a Disney character, she would be Tigger!

Nikki has a unique talent, too. She can cry like a baby without anyone knowing its her! Might have to ask her to show you!

Nikki's quote to live by is:

Did You Know? Featuring Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Dallas Instructor Adriann Alexander

Meet Adriann Alexander

Adriann has been a valuable member of the Arthur Murray Dallas staff for the past 8 years. She has spent time teaching in both the Dallas and Plano studios and has touched the lives of many students. Her extensive dance knowledge led her to be named Dance Director, and her love of dance shines through to anyone she encounters. Adriann is a talented choreographer, dancer, and teacher, but did you know...

Adriann (right) with Zack Stevens
 and one of her students who
received an award at
Texas Showdown.

Favorite Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany's

Favorite Dance: West Coast Swing

Favorite Animal: Dogs

Favorite Food: Mexican

Adriann is at her happiest at this time of year. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, and she loves all the colors of the season! She adores winter clothing and all the great holidays! She is inspired by humanity and seeing people sacrifice and work to help others. She loves to laugh with friends and family - just another reason to love the holidays!

Adriann says she is scared by the National Debt. She enjoys dancing, reading, writing, and horseback riding. If she could visit anywhere in the world, she would go to Ireland. She says the bravest thing she does is to leave her house every morning without safety gear!

Adriann's love of dance started when she was just 4 years old. He first real job was babysitting, and she says that if she could do any job in the world, she'd be a counselor or a teacher...Adriann is EXACTLY what she always wanted to be growing up! If she was a Disney character, she'd be the Cheshire Cat from "Alice in Wonderland".

Adriann's idols are her mother and Audrey Hepburn. Her quote to live by is:

Manager's Forum: Why do I need to learn Cuban Motion if I only want to be a social dancer?

In this week's Manager's Forum, we asked a very popular question that we hear from a lot of students! Why do I need to learn Cuban Motion if I only want to be a social dancer? Our managers at Arthur Murray Dallas and Plano gave us some great feedback! This should clear things up for you!

"Cuban motion in the simplest definition is traditionally “proper hip movement” ... Cuban Motion is what the body does naturally to maintain balance and control when shifting weight from one leg to the other." - Joe Donato

Let's hear from our female managers first:

Sarah: You need to learn Cuban Motion BECAUSE you want to be a social dancer! Well, wait. Maybe I should ask if you want to be the kind of social dancer that no one wants to dance with and that looks stiff and awkward trying to do a bunch of steps? OR if you want to be a well-rounded, fluid, fun-to-dance-with and can clearly feel and hear the music kind of social dancer? I am guessing you want the latter. 

Imagine this; You are walking in to get your relaxing full body massage, it's cold outside and you are very tense... You go into the room and you get on the table, ready to relax and feel a physiological change. Next thing you know, a clumsy, awkward and stiff metal robot walks in and a recording says, "I will be performing your full body massage today." The robot robotically dims the light and clunks over to you like C3PO and begins your massage... I have one word for that.... "YIKES!!" This is what NOT learning Cuban Motion does to your dancing and "YIKES!!" is the word everyone around you will be thinking when watching you dance "Socially".

Cuban Motion gives you a quality that can either help you FIT IN to the social crowd or if you'd like, you can "Wow!" people and stand out in a good way. In addition to all the logical reasons why we need Cuban Motion like stronger lead, sound style of dances, feel for the music and control/understanding of your body in movement, Dancing is a 'Human' thing. Dancing is NOT a Robotic thing. Dancing involves emotions, feeling, MUSIC, connection and communication with another person that has to constantly change and adjust to any and all outside influences... Rigidity will fail in these situations. Einstein said, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." Social dancers MUST be able to adjust.You can't predetermine who will be at the club, what songs they will play or what kinds of scenarios you may have to face on the dance floor. Flexibility in your body is necessary to be a great social dancer, a comfortable, strong, fun, "Human" social dancer. Like a lava lamp or a Volcano, you can be stubborn with your structure, your frame and your lead/follow, but when it comes to your body moving; Be infinitely FLEXIBLE and constantly AMAZED. 

Nikki: I get asked a lot why someone, especially men, need to learn Cuban Motion...  And while there is an aspect of "looking the part", the answer is actually much more simple.  It is the lead needed to communicate with your partner.  I'm speaking mostly to men, as many women are willing to let their body move naturally and so they are ok with body movement happening.

As men, there aren't many times in their life when they have had to move easily with motion, so there aren't many practice opportunities.  However, there ARE things in real life that will help everyone to understand why Cuban Motion is so important to the rhythm of dancing.  If you are on a sail boat, and need to walk from one end to the other, and you try to do it stiff legged, and without adjusting to the motion of the ocean, what happens?  IF you make it down the boat without falling over, it was a really rough ride, right?  Dancing is the same.  Using at least some Cuban Motion allows for a "smoother" ride along the dance floor.  And it allows your partner to have a good sense of what you are doing, and what you are going to do next, which allows THEM to have better time with you.  Now, do you need to learn competitive Cuban Motion?  No.  Only high competitors need that.  Everyone else will be just fine with an understanding of how to move their body easily, and then translate that into something their partner needs.  Your teacher will likely work on the concept of Cuban Motion quite a bit, maybe more then what you think you might need, but what they are really working on is your ability to move your body easily and freely.  And often, we need to exaggerate things in the beginning,  and then we can tone it down later.

Hang in there, Cuban Motion is necessary.  We promise.  And it isn't to turn you into a competitive dancer, it's to make YOU a better partner to everyone else!

And now the men:

Ian: Well, cuban motion is the whole reason they're called RHYTHM dances.  The body action used to make the dances recognizable is also what makes them both feel and look good. To look your most beautiful or feel your most studly on a dance floor, you need to look relaxed and fluid.  And let's be honest, no one ever watched a robot move, and said, "Hey, those moves are hot!".  And feeling good comes from feeling in control of your body so that you can relate how the music makes you feel and how much fun you're having to your partner without having to literally say, "Wow, this is so much fun" (said in that really awkward and nerdy voice only heard in movies).  Cuban motion isn't for competitive dancers only; it's for anyone who wants to look and feel great while they dance, both for themselves and for their partner. 

Justin: Cuban motion helps you look better AND feel better. It is definitely not one of the most natural things we do as dancers (at least not to start) but the more familiar we get, the more it helps it helps our dancing. In terms of how our dancing looks, cuban motion is what puts the body rhythm into our "rhythm dances."  It allows us to express the music through multiple layers in our body.  As we develop those layers, we'll look at how we use our feet, knees, hips and torso. It will eventually lead to more fluid movement, even though in the beginning it feels like even more to keep track of. When we start our rumba, for instance, the box step often feels choppy. As we add cuban motion, the dancing can feel like your teacher asked you to play twister while walking.  We promise, it will become less awkward and more connected, creating a better feel as we dance. It also will help the guys lead better, through clearer weight transfer.

All of this does require you to be patient- none of this happens overnight. Most of us didn't grow up doing cuban motion, and we don't walk through the grocery store doing it (most of us), so the limited practice means you need to cut yourself some slack. And unlike many other techniques that only have a couple layers, cuban motion has many layers. So you should expect to continue developing it for a long time- no rush, and no beating yourself up unnecessarily! Have fun with it, and you'll find cuban motion really does enhance your dancing!

November Group Class and Event Calendar for Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Plano

Plano September Calender!!!

DALLAS SEPTEMBER CALENDAR!! :D

August 2013 Arthur Murray Plano Group Class Calendar

See you all at the Studio!!!

Plano June Calender

                                                       PLANO JUNE CALENDER!

Arthur Murray Plano Group Class Calendar for April 2013

Arthur Murray Trivia Tidbits

On 04.18.11 , In International News , by Arthur Murray

* In the film The Sky’s the Limit (1943), when Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie finish a dance number, Joan asks him “Where did you learn to dance like that?” and Astaire answers “Arthur Murray”.

* The Murray name and franchise were featured in the 1942 hit song “Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry”, written by Johnny Mercer and Victor Schertzinger.

* Hal Borne and His Orchestra recorded the Mercer-Schertzing song in a Soundie released May 25, 1942 with the Three Murtah Sisters.[5] “The tallest” of the sisters satirizes the tune by doing the rumba as crudely as possible, first in her room, then on the floor with a male partner.[6]

* In 1946, Desi Arnaz starred in the film Cuban Pete, and recorded a song of the same name, featuring the lyric, “Cuban Pete doesn’t teach you in a hurry like Arthur Murray/You’re now in Havana, and there’s always mañana”.

* In the I Love Lucy episode “Little Ricky Gets a Dog”, (1957) Lucy tells Ricky that she is receiving Mexican hat dancing lessons from Arthur Murray.

* Arthur Murray is mentioned in the 1953 Frank Loesser song “Just Another Polka”: “She’s got me dancing like I never thought I could,/Oh Arthur Murray never had it so good.”

* In the 1954 Mark Robson directed film, Phffft! starring Jack Lemmon, Judy Holliday, and Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon’s character (Robert Tracey) is seen walking into an Arthur Murray Dance Studio in New York to work on his Rumba with teacher Merry Anders. A classic dance scene in the movie follows when both Lemmon and Holliday (Nina Tracey) do a rumba and mambo at a nightclub. Later in the film, Lemmon reviews some cancelled checks that Holliday wrote including: “…thirty-nine dollars and forty cents to Arthur Murray Dance Studio?”

* In 1957 Buddy Holly and The Crickets performed a live show at the Arthur Murray Dance Party consisting of “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue” this is the only known live footage of Buddy Holly in his short lifetime.

* In the 1960 Billy Wilder film The Apartment starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley Maclaine, Jack Lemmon’s character (C.C.”Bud” Baxter) makes two references to Arthur Murray. Bud tells Fran (Shirley Maclaine) that he’s been taking lessons at Arthur Murray and later on he introduces himself to Margie (Hope Holiday) by replying to her query that she doesn’t know him at all by stating: “Permit me—C.C. Baxter—junior executive, Arthur Murray graduate, lover”.

* In a dream sequence, “Arthur Murrayrock” seeks help learning Fred’s “Frantic” dance in the Flintstones episode “Shinrock-a-Go-Go.”

* Arthur Murray is mentioned in the song “Tear-stained Letter” by Richard Thompson. The song appears on Thompson’s 1983 album Hand of Kindness.

* In an episode of Sanford and Son, when asked to dance, Fred says “I’ve been told I can’t dance.” The young lady says, “Aww, arthritis?”, to which Fred responds, “No, Arthur Murray.”

* In the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, Johnny tells Baby that he received his training at the Arthur Murray studios.

* A song entitled Arthur Murray appears on the 1988 Vic Chesnutt album The Salesman and Bernadette.

* In the 1995 film The American President, when Sydney Ellen Wade remarks to the President while dancing “I don’t know how you do it”, the President replies, “It’s Arthur Murray. Six lessons.”

* Arthur Murray is mentioned in the song “Would You Like to Learn to Dance?” by Steve Goodman in 1978. “We can draw the Arthur Murray patterns right here on the floor.”

* Arthur Murray is mentioned in the song “Whadda Ya Know, We’ve Got a Show” from the 1961 British movie The Young Ones starring Cliff Richard….Mr. Arthur Murray we can use you in a hurry.”

* Arthur Murray is mentioned in The West Wing episode “He Shall, from Time to Time…” in a conversation between a congressman and Toby Ziegler. The Congressman says, “Personally, I don’t know what to say to people who argue that the N.E.A. is there to support art that nobody wants to pay for in the first place… Arthur Murray didn’t need the N.E.A. to write Death of a Salesman.” Toby corrects him by saying, “Arthur Murray taught ballroom dance, and Arthur Miller wrote Death of a Salesman.”

"The Newcomer Division: The Best Kept Secret" by Chris Lynam - Arthur Murray Franchisee and Dancer

The Newcomer Division: The Best Kept Secret

30MAY

You don't have to be a Pro to get this stuff

The Newcomer Divison:  The best kept secret 

One thing is for certain, it is very, very rare that someone walks into an Arthur Murray Dance Studio with a dance costume and a scheduled competition.  However, when there are advertisements in your school about upcoming Dance-O-Ramas, most of the student body figures it’s for that mythical student mentioned at the top.

Enter:  The Newcomer Division!

At Arthur Murray, you don’t need dance experience to take your first lesson.  That’s what makes the program so effective.  Well, if Arthur Murray were going to put together a dance competition, wouldn’t it be wise to keep that theme in tact?

Enter:  The Newcomer Division!

If you’ve taken fewer than 50 lessons, and this is your first Dance-O-Rama, you qualify for the Newcomer Division.  The fine print should read, “No ringers allowed”.  In this “costume-optional” level students in age categories from Youth to “Young at heart” get a chance to experience a Dance-O-Rama.

At the Dance-O-Rama you’ll not only get a chance to do something you never thought was possible, but you’re also guaranteed to gain confidence by the truckload.  These events differ from our in-studio, or district events because they are held over a period of 2-3 days.  So, essentially, everything that you wish you would have done on day 1 can be on your to-do list for day 2.

Another great benefit of dancing in the Newcomer division is you’ll know that everyone on the floor with you will be experiencing the same nervous energy.  This typically subsides after the morning activities on the first day of dancing, and, before long, you’ll be making friends with other Newcomers from all over the world.

We’ve had many students who missed the cutoff for the Newcomer division and had to start in a higher category.  Every time that’s happened, they wish they would have signed up for a Dance-O-Rama sooner so they could have had an easier transition.

All in all, a Dance-O-Rama is like any Arthur Murray event – you’re going to get top caliber service, a fun and motivating atmosphere, and a raspy voice from cheering so much.  So now that the secret is out,

Enter the Newcomer Division.