OK, I'm still looking for a place to dance and I was just looking to Arthur Murray but I guess not anymore. I live in south LA, in Hawthorne to be specific, and I need a place within like 15-20 miles. Please help.

This isn't really an answer to your question, because that would require detailed knowledge about the range of dance tuition available in your locality.

But curiosity about the apparent general animosity towards AM (but to franchised studios in general, it seems, so to the others too) caused me to look at the AM website. Right there on the home page, in the introductory blurb is the telling phrase:

"Arthur Murray® instructors are specially trained and certified".

Now why is that? There are internationally recognised dance teaching societies, with respected teaching qualifications and regulated memberships. Why does a franchised chain need "specially trained and certified" instructors? Is it because their standards are HIGHER than the teaching societies, and that membership by examination is not sufficient? Is holding, say, a fellowship of the ISTD only the beginning of instructor training with a chain (which might explain and excuse the high prices); or is it because their standards are LOWER, and that the effort, commitment and experience required to gain a teaching qualification is at odds with the money-making formula that is the franchise format?

I don't know the answer for sure, but I would wager a modest sum (say the price of a group class in an independant studio - certainly not the price of a class that came as part of a chain's package) that my guess would be right.

Good point, clive.

Another thing that's often bothered me: when chains are advertising, they talk about the organizational umbrella being a mark of quality, teacher training, rules to protect the consumer, etc.

But when people are deflecting criticism of bad experiences, they point out how each franchise location is different, and you can't project experiences at one onto another.

So which is it: can you expect the same brand-name experience everywhere, or it is really just a bunch of independent locations with a pooled advertising budget and a few big names at corporate level?

I suspect, that just as with an independent location, what really matters is the person who sets the actual policy at a given location.

Another general observation: most teachers with real skills will go to work for themselves as soon as they can. They may still be at someone else's studio, but they will be their own boss, setting their own rates and making their own policies. And you really don't want anyone uninvolved in your dancing - neither owner/boss or desk staff - getting in the way of your interaction with your teacher.

anymouse,

I think you are confusing policy with quality of teachers. Policy throughout a chain (for the protection of the students) is universal, which you can't find at independents, thus why there tend to be more legal problems at SOME of the independents. But the teachers, owners, and price are different. There are codes of ethics at the chains that say nothing about how the quality of the instruction will be. So again, blanket comments don't really work. Be specific and don't mix concepts that, well, don't mix.

"anymouse,

I think you are confusing policy with quality of teachers. Policy throughout a chain (for the protection of the students) is universal"

If the policy doesn't insure that students get value for their money, what good is it?

The part of the policy which is universal is the part which protects the studio owner.

There's no consistency in quality/value. The brand name is meaningless from a dance perspective. And since the brand name has overhead in franchising fees, one could conclude that it means you will be getting less value for your money, since the money for those fees has to come from the difference between what you pay and the value of the instruction you receive.

That's just the problem with the independents that don't all have a policy to protect the quality of instruction provided to thier clients.
Arthur Murray does ranging from creating an exerience that is positive for all involved, to how much material is covered and how it is taught.
Policies should also protect ownership and it's staff creating policies about fraternization with clients, and certification processes. When it come to frachisee fees well that argument is just childish, What kind of car do you drive I imagine you went to all a dealor do you think that you didn't pay extra for that person to sell you a car. Do you really belive that those poor independent teachers renting floor space from thier studios aren't applying some that expense back to thier clients. Do you really think that as that independent teacher becomes more qualified to teach that the price of their instruction does not go up. And why shoudn't it. The day that setting a standard for quality and customer satifaction is critisized in any industry is a sad day indeed.

I don't think you need to rule out Arthur Murray. Each franchise is independently run, and there are some very good ones. But the pricing policies are pretty standard, I think. You could check out the local one near you.

For independent studios, check the Dance Directory on this site, the yellow pages, google ballroom dance and the name of your city, and/or check accessdance.com.

Good luck!

Greetings,

I to was sadly "taken" by Arthur Murry in 2006. I will not go into details but to say, beware all lonely, insecure, deconditioned, "fools". While still at AM, I slowly realized that EVERYONE was loved, missed, talented beyond words and should enter their competitive program ! Classes average $120.00 for 40 minutes and believe me, not one second more is given to students. So, I sought out several local studios and called the national association of ballroom and was directed to the most wonderful, unassuming, quietly successful place. Sloan and Sloan dance studio is located in Glendale, California. They have a lovely establishment, consisting of two ballroom of ample size, the atmosphere is professional and encouraging, without being condescending and fake. I have NEVER been asked or encouraged to take extra lessons. Please give yourself a gift and check them out.

Victoria

the answer to your question -if not AM, where - is

ANYWHERE.

As always, going to a franchise is about convenience. Quality is relative - the most successful franchises n the world (fast foods) are about cheap and convenient (many folks will choose travel time over quality) but not about quality - you 'get what you pay for'.

That said, if you are picking a place that you will spend many thousands of dollars, many hours of your time, and have money to burn, then by all means go to the 'nearest' place. but you'll get better results going to the 'best' place.