I decided to become an Arthur Murray dance instructor for so many reasons.  In the beginning, it was mostly because I really loved to dance and wanted to share that love with others.  I didn’t really understand at the start what it was going to mean to me to be a teacher.  I remember my father explaining to me as a child that the most rewarding experience he ever had in life was watching the success of someone he had mentored.  I thought I understood what he meant.

I have a student, Cody Smith, who has been taking dance lessons with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Manchester for about 2 years.  He is 15 years old (almost 16 he keeps reminding me) and is a sophomore at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH.  He came to us in October and explained that as a school project he was supposed to shadow someone at work for a whole day.  He wanted permission to shadow me and find out what it means to be a dance instructor!  We agreed and set the date for Friday, November 19^th.

I was excited and nervous that someone would respect and admire what I do enough to want to learn it from me.  I watched him taking notes as I taught and I asked him after one of our lessons what he was writing down.  I was expecting to hear that he was writing down how to dance certain steps.  Instead he amazed me by relating back to me how I had explained certain techniques or fixed certain problems with a student’s dancing.  He was really trying to learn how to teach not just how to dance.

I have taught many people how to dance and a few people how to teach.  This was my first experience with truly feeling that I was someone’s mentor.  I know that someday Cody is going to be an amazing dance instructor if that is what he chooses to do.  More importantly, I know now what my father was talking about.  I now have another reason to add to my long list of why I teach for Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

Margery

At the end of the summer two of our long time students were married within just a few weeks of each other. As within any Arthur Murray Studio, our students are a tight knit group of friends, therefore both weddings had an entire AM table of guests. The week following the second wedding, Showcase was approaching when a long time student, Jo Ann Pierce came to me and asked what would be happening between Mini Comp and Holiday Party. Naturally I told her about Superama and the Tournament of Champions. However, being so excited from the fun of dancing with her friends at the weddings; she was set on having something as a “Randolph Only” Event. 

Since we had not planned a studio only event for this fall, I borrowed a great idea from a story Larry Bonneau told me. I suggested to Jo Ann that the students throw their own dance party. She loved the idea and Brett suggested that she put together a Party Committee to plan and execute the event. Jo Ann took the torch and ran with it! She formed a committee of five with: Jacqueline Monteiro, Mary Jo Phillips, Jenn Mateleska, and Joedee Foster. Right away, they got to planning, made an E-Invite, lots of signage, and announcements whenever they had the chance.

Every time these ladies had the opportunity to interact with a new student, they were sure to tell them about the titled “Party Party”; they were very diligent in making sure every one had the opportunity to attend. Besides meeting on a regular basis, these ladies put so much of their own time and effort into planning, shopping and decorating.

When Friday October 15th finally arrived; the main ballroom was decorated in an equally elegant and inviting manner with beautiful fall décor and ambiance. The smaller ballroom held several long tables overflowing with amazing appetizers and desserts all contributed by students but it didn’t end there! The committee planned a perfectly organized evening of dancing, mixers, and socializing. In addition, they had a special presentation to Brett Giza, our Studio Manager, and his wife Terry who are expecting their first child this December. Jo Ann gave a lovely toast and we celebrated this exciting milestone for the Giza Family. 

As for myself, I am excited to have had the opportunity to share this story. What our students prepared was far beyond what we had imagined. The vibe on that Friday evening was exuberant and I was moved by how much dancing, laughing, and camaraderie there was. The feedback from those who attended has been pure excitement for what is coming up next along with gratitude to the five ladies who put together such a fantastic event! Both Brett and I agree that we are lucky to be a part of the Arthur Murray Randolph Family!

Kerri

It was just a regular day at the Manchester Studio when the phone rang and the person on the other end said they were with “Dancing With The Stars” and needed a practice space for the weekend. My first thought was “cool! I’m going to meet Florence Henderson!” but they told me it was going to be Kym Johnson, who was dancing with David Hasselhof and we know he got booted so I thought…hmmmm…who could it be?

The real story about who needed the studio was an amazing one and I’ll try to do it justice here although words could probably never describe the story of the Mwano family.

The Mwanos are originally from the Congo. Their father who was a diplomat was assassinated in a hostile takeover of their government. Bernadette Mwano was left with nothing and had to flee with her 5 children and go into hiding to survive. She applied for refugee status but was told it could be quite some time before it would be approved. After waiting and waiting she decided the best thing would be to give her children up for adoption so they would be safely out of the country. By chance the day she went to turn over her children for adoption her refugee status had been approved and they were able to come to the United States, where they have been living in Manchester NH ever since.

The 5 boys – Dao, Vinnie, Destin, Gideon and Taveo love to dance and Bernadette loves to watch Dancing with the Stars. Somehow the story of this family found its way to Hollywood and the producers of Dancing with the Stars decided to surprise Bernadette by teaching the boys a cha cha routine and then flying the whole family out to the show under the guise that they were just going to watch. Mom didn’t know her sons were going to dance for her as a way to thank her for her sacrifices until they walked out on the floor.

I’m happy we were able to be a part of that story…the boys came and worked on the routine with Kym and when asked, Margery and Abby stepped in for the pros so the boys would have somebody to practice with. So…I didn’t get to meet Florence…but in the end I think having a small part of the boys gift to their mother was so much better!

Steve

Here’s the clip:  Click Here

In a study done in 2007, Tango was seen to help heal neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease in a manner that was greater than the same amount of regular exercise.  Parkinson’s sufferers given tango classes showed improvements in balance and other measures not seen in another group of patients given regular exercise classes.  The researchers said that while dance in general may be beneficial (and we agree!), Tango uses several forms of movement especially relevant for Parkinson’s disease patients including dynamic balance, turning, initiation of movement, moving at a variety of speeds and walking backward.  Dancing Tango has been linked to increased heart health, better balance, improved memory, and weight loss.  So let’s Tango!!

Meredith, Boston Studio Instructor

Even Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky took dance lessons for their wedding.  People magazine is reporting that they had professional dancer, Maksim Chmerkovskiy of Dancing With the Stars fame, choreograph their first dance.  No video or word yet about how they really looked, but the article says it was sultry, amazing, funny even.   More about their wedding –>  People Magazine