My problem with AM studios is the teachers charge the same rate regardless of their experience, the teachers pushed to sell DOR and festival nights and some of the teachers I met while at AM studio in sydney australia had no integrity. Some students were bullied by the older or newer students, the manager of the studio said she did not want to get involved well her exact words were " I cannot be seen with that student" surely this is a lack of business ettiquette. There was a couple of outstanding teachers who showed only professionalism and were thee to teach however one of the female teachers rubbed people up the wrong way quite often and seemed to get away with it, would quite often as reported by her male students use her body to sell lessons, fair enough you could pass it off as a joke but I was there for 2 years and over the course of two years 4 male students bragged about their conquest. As it turned out she was a stripper before a teacher at am. Im now with a reputable independant studio and my dancing has improved dramatically. I am glad my time with AM is over and I would never recommend that studio to anyone.

I would not recommend that studio either!, But it has nothing to do with the fact that it is an AM studio. That's just bad studio management, and bad ethics. Period. That is not even close to the AM standard. It is unfortunate that a few bad apples ruin the perception of the majority who hold themselves to higher standards of professionalism. Please remember that AM and FADS studios are franchised, and individually owned and operated, and unfortunately there are a few bad ones, but they are not indicative of the whole.

Dear Passion,
Spoken directly from the syllabus.
Keep repeating it, you might start to believe it after a while m8 lol.

I'm not sure what studio you went to, but the Arthur Murray I've been too was awesome!!! I got all my lessons there, I went to Fred Astaire and took a couple of lessons but I didn't like it. And like other's have said, it is a business and they are out to make money. I honestly loved them, but they are very over priced.

My husband and myself have recently started dancing at AM. And we have had a wonderful expirience! Yes, it is costly, but all the other Dance studio's around this area are just as much or more. We origanly started out only wanting to dance for social reasons, but have recently decided to start training for our 1st compitition.
All of our instrustors are wonderful, and are very knowlegeable.
They are also registered with the BBB. Which we have found a handful of AM studio's are. Maybe you should dig a little deeper into finding out about a studio before hand?
I can't say anything bad about our studio though!
I don't think you should place all AM's in the same basket!

How do dance studios differ from plastic surgeons in this regard? Or how about the cosmetics industry? Dancing is so good for you so the investment is worthwhile. When you look at the revenue an Arthur Murray studio takes in (which is public record)and consider the number of staff and studio upkeep, they are not rolling in dough. Far from it.

If anyone konws any site to search dance school, studio, teachers in Seattle area?

Arthur Murray does not stink. I have been taking lessons there for awhile. The way people describe their studios is very different than mine. I have reliable awesome instructors that love and are amazing at what they are doing. Every single one knows that they are doing. They never hold me back in training..in fact since I am a quick learner they helped me learn bronze level steps in my social program to prepare me since I was a little more advanced..at no extra charge. They are awesome!! :) Just depends on which studio I guess..it is not all Arthur Murray's.. depends on the owner

I decided to try out a free lesson at AM in South Jersey and it was a great decision. My husband and I signed up for the into package and now are signed up for the year at Bronze Level 1. Our instructor makes us feel comfortable and works on helping us to overcome any obstacles. Everyone has been professional towards us so far. I am having fun with my husband learning to dance. Yes, it is pricey, yes I could smell the sales pitch from a mile away, but they deliver and we are having fun. And everyone who works there seems to genuinely love to dance. Also, they bring in dance professionals on occasion to teach the higher level classes which I think is cool. As long as I feel I am getting something for the money I spend, I will continue to go to AM. Good job AM!

Jessica - in the end all that matters is that you are happy and feel you are getting a return on your investment. AM and FADS are not perfect places, but then again, neither does having the term "Independent" in front of your studio name guarantee perfection.

I worked for AM almost 30 years ago. I left only because of the sales pressure (I was not comfortable doing that). But the students there were happy and danced well. I remember thinking, WOW, as soon as the students realize there are independent studios out there that are half price and don't pressure, they will come flying. But they never did; they stayed until that studio closed and still never went anywhere else. But that was a strong AM studio and was giving a return on students' investments. Remember, former Champions David & Carrie Kloss, Perry & Diane Gingerich, even Bill Sparks and Shirley Johnson and the one and only Sam Sodano, all at one time belonged to AM.

That said, there are a lot of studios out there (AM, FADS, and independent) who do take advantage of people, and offer beginner teachers (who are only one step ahead of their students)for more money than others pay to have champion-level instructors. It's just smart shopping, in this day and economy, to really make certain of where your discretionary funds go, and that you always get what you want for your money.

So as long as you are happy and feel you are getting what you want, then you are in the right place for you :) Best of luck and happy dancing :)