Helpful Tips

Benefits of Dancing Benefits can be yours.

Arthur Murray students gain many benefits through becoming better dancers. Listed below are the most frequently listed of these benefits. In order to assist your instructor in personalizing your foundation program and future lessons, please think about the five most important to you.

  • More fun and enjoyment out of social life...
  • Increased self-confidence...
  • Meeting people and making new friends...
  • Better health and physical benefits...
  • Social ease...
  • Exercise...
  • Making a special person happy...
  • Enjoying and attending more parties...
  • Business reasons...
  • Acquiring more grace and poise...
  • Overcoming shyness...
  • Relieving stress...
  • Standing out on the dance floor...
  • Never again saying no to a dance invitation...
  • Recreation or entertainment...
  • Relaxation...

FAQ's Have a question?

What kind of shoes should I wear for my lesson?
A: You can wear any type of shoe that won't slip off of your feet. So dress shoes or sneakers are fine, just skip the sandals. The other option is ballroom dance shoes which have a suede sole and softer leather.

I'd like to get a pair of ballroom dance shoes, what should I look for?
A: For guys your first pair should be regular, non-patent, leather in a standard heel. Because of the softness of the leather, the shoes will stretch more than normal so some dancers get a half size smaller than normal street shoes. For girls we recommend any of the heels as long as they aren't higher than 2.5 inches. In addition, we always recommend a nude or bronze colored shoe for your first pair.

What do I wear for my first lesson?
A: We have students that come to their lessons straight from work or straight from the gym, so what ever's comfortable or convenient is fine with us.

(Bride) I'm taking lessons for my wedding, should I dance in my wedding shoes?
A: Your wedding shoes are a part of the finishing touches to your overall "wedding look". Unfortunately, they aren't always designed for comfort, or dancing. We'd recommend that you bring your shoes in so your teacher can see how well you can move in them and determine the best course of action. In a perfect world, we'd suggest to get a pair of white ballroom dancing shoes to wear for the first dance and reception. Your guests won't even know and, trust us, they will be so much more comfortable.

Where am I going to use this stuff I'm learning anyway?
A: You can put everything you're learning into action right away at one of our practice parties. Outside of that, many of our students use their dancing at wedding receptions, reunions, and company parties. If you're planning a vacation, going on a cruise will usually provide several different themed rooms to dance in. Lastly, there are nightclubs you can go to as well. Whether it's salsa or country, there's a little bit of everything out there. The more you know in your dancing, the more you have to choose from.

How often should I come in for my lessons?
A: If possible, keep your lessons as close together in the beginning of your program. This allows your teacher to get your brain and body to cooperate much sooner.

What do you do if your partner is more experienced than you are?
A: In football terms, she's the defense and you're the offense. Since you don't play the same position, or even on the same side of the ball, you have different jobs and responsibilities. So just because she took some dance classes before, that doesn't come into play at all with your role as the leader/quarterback.

If I have any other questions, who should I call?
A: Call Orlando (407) 290-5441 or Call Lake Mary (407) 444-4950 and we help you with any questions or if you would like to schedule your first visit. Contact Us Today.

Helpful Hints For Couples Come prepared.

Here at Arthur Murray we specialize in teaching couples to dance. Teaching couples is different from teaching individuals and requires special care. Teachers are trained to make learning fun and easy, and you can help by remembering the following:

  • Let your teacher do the teaching. This means avoid finding fault with each other which can be distracting.
  • It's not how many steps you know; it's how you execute them. (You always notice good dancers by how they move, not by how many patterns they do.) Learning too many steps too soon results in bad habits and frustration at not executing them properly.
  • In teaching couples, we have learned that men typically progress slower because they have more to do and tend to be more analytical or mechanical. Women, on the other hand, feel movement quicker and therefore, THE LADY MUST TRY TO BE PATIENT AND NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH TOO SOON.
  • It's important to keep your lessons close together, and more importantly to use them in close conjunction with group lessons and practice lessons. Ideally, each visit should be scheduled to include more than one activity. This will aid you in making speedy progress and gaining confidence in your dancing in a shorter period of time.
  • Communicate with your teacher so that he or she will know what to teach you and the way you like to be taught. The more we know about your dance needs the better we can plan your lessons now and prepare your future program.

Learning to dance is an investment that keeps on paying back. Of all the hobbies you may have, dancing is one which goes with you wherever you go in years to come.

The Stages of Learning Step by step.

1. THE INITIAL LEARNING STAGE

The student is introduced to the skill or step.

2. THE AWKWARD USE STAGE

The student has an increased awareness, but feels awkward and frequently experiences difficulty.

3. THE CONSCIOUS USE STAGE

The student is able to do the skill or step more effectively and easily; however, even though the task may look good, it must still be thought through when performed.

4. THE NATURAL USE STAGE

This skill or step is done with ease and is spontaneous, comfortable and creative. This level is reached only after a period of time in which the student has continued to use and practice the skill.


Every time you learn something new, your body will always go through the Stages of Learning. It is natural for you to progress through these stages.

Our Process How we teach dance.

How Students are taught

  • You will start with a 30 min private sample lesson.
  • Your first program will be an introductory course. Here you will learn the basics to several different popular dances to see which ones you like and can learn the quickest and easiest.
  • Your instructor will explain the Medal Standards that are taught and will plan a personalized dance program to fulfill your specific needs and desires.
  • The majority of students who come to an Arthur Murray Dance Studio are interested in becoming good social dancers and our medalist programs will help you achieve that goal.
  • The Medalist Standards are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Bar
  • The degree of dancing you will achieve varies depending on your desire, goals, commitment and interest.
  • Arthur Murray Dance Studios can train you in the latest technique, steps and styles. Indeed, we boast some of the top competitive couples in the world today.

Instructors

  • Our instructors are carefully selected and thoroughly trained in the exclusive Arthur Murray teaching method, this assures you the finest instruction in dancing.
  • You will have a regular dance teacher who will be responsible for your progress. Periodically, you will have exchange lessons with other teachers which will give you experience and practice in adapting to a variety of dance partners and dance styles
  • You will have a buddy teacher that shares the responsibility of reaching your goals.

Private Lessons

  • During your one on one private lesson, you will receive personalized instruction that will help you achieve your goals in dancing.
  • Your instructor will spend the time necessary on technique, styling and general dance improvement.
  • An up-to-date record of everything you have learned will also kept as part of your instruction.

Group Lessons

  • Group lessons give you the opportunity to dance with a variety of partners, develop good habits and meet other students in the studio.
  • Your teacher will provide you a schedule of when the group classes occur. There are different level groups throughout the day.
  • They do not need to be reserved in advance. This gives you flexibility in your scheduling. You may show up as your schedule permits.
  • In Group Lessons we emphasize technique, style and variation of patterns.
  • You may be taught materials that your regular instructor hasn't introduced to you yet, and materials that have been reviewed will be practiced for improvement.

Practice Parties - They are fun and great exercise!

  • We hold scheduled parties(practice sessions) for all our students.
  • These practice parties are held 2ce a week
  • You will have fun dancing with the instructors and students in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
  • This gives you the opportunity to practice and try out all the new dance skills that you've learned in your private and group lessons.

Ball Medals

  • An Arthur Murray Medal Ball is a gala dance event honoring students who "graduate" from one level of their dance program to the next.
  • Medals Balls also afford students the opportunity to enjoy their dancing in a fun and elegant setting.

Showcase

  • A showcase is a one-day event where students present dance routines with personalized choreography.
  • These routines make an excited addition to your Medalist Program because they allow you to develop showmanship and musical expression along with your social dance skills.

Dance-O-Rama

  • A Dance-O-Rama(or Dance Sport Competition is an exciting two or three day event that brings students together from many Arthur Murray studios to compete, at their level, in dances of their choices.
  • This requires specialized dance training to polish and perfect chorography, technique and style.

The weekend is full of activities such as dance competitions, cocktails parties, dinner dances and exciting professional shows.