I am 11 years old and I have been in Arthur Murray Amman/Jordan for 4 years now. I am a Silver 1 student and I completely disagree with you. Arthur Murray is not only a dance studio but it is also a home. If anything, the instructors are champions and will do anything to HELP you become a champion, like them, and better. There is never any manipulation, fancy chains, and any other cruel traps like that. Arthur Murray are one of the most supportive group of people I have ever met. I don't know where you live or which Arthur Murray you go to, but Im telling you, in my country and most other countries Arthur Murray is the best studio (ranked number 1) in any studios in any country.

Are you really 11 years old ?.. or, is your MOM writing this for you ?. Either way, if you are happy with you dance progress, that's good. How much do they charge for lessons ? ( per hour ).

Just started Arthur murray dance friday and I never dance but we really enjoyed it. Ashburn va .great dance teacher and staff..loved it

I was just there for an intro lesson. They honey potted me.... Set me up with a gorgeous girl to teach me and butter me up. Then they dropped the prices on me. 580.00 a month! That is insane!!!!

How many private lessons a week in that month are you taking?

If I could get my 12 lessons a month in for that I would be happy. I pay a bit more that than that, but under a grand.

My husband and I take 2 private lessons a month, and attend many group classes and practice parties. We now have an instructor knows that our focus is being able to move well around the dance floor, and we have a wonderful teacher. They will not fire you as a student if you decide to learn at you own pace and take advantage of the learning opportunities they offer. What I like about Arthur Murray is that the studio is drama free, and I have left and returned because I like the drama free dancing.

From my years of seeing AM and having friends through the franchise system, I have few good things to say about it. Probably the best thing that I can say about them is the amount of new people they bring to the world of ballroom dance.

The negatives are far too many though. Few of their instructors have had much training before starting their instructor "training" programs. I fail to see how someone with less than a year's worth of dance experience can justify giving lessons for almost the same rate as some of the top Latin coaches in the world. That is outright madness.

The used car sales tactics are the worst I've ever experienced as well. My current husband was once a student there and they told him not to date me because I "wasn't good enough for him" after they found out I was a competitive dancer. He came from a supposedly good studio with a franchisee that is fairly well known outside of the system too. Thankfully he listened to me in moving out of there. He knew a lot of patterns from them after 2 years... but little technique. A lot of "walking" around the floor for tens of thousands of dollars.

I can think of maybe a handful of studios in the franchise system that might be worth visiting... mostly because of who owns them. But their prices are still not worth it.

In the suburbs of NYC, he was paying in excess of 160 dollars per 45 minutes.

Former Pro Latin Dancer

AND you have it the nail on the head as to WHY A.M. NEVER allows their students to dance outside of "the family."

*** He knew a lot of patterns from them after 2 years... but little technique. A lot of "walking" around the floor for tens of thousands of dollars.****

They can NOT compete in the real world. NO Cuban motion and no technique!

No matter how much money you have in the real world of dance, if you don't use Cuban motion and if you have no technique you will ALWAYS come in last - unless someone falls on their butt.

WOW $160 for 40 mins!?!? I get a full hour with a 5 time American Rhythm champion and I pay less than half of that!

5678 AMEN AM AMEM AMEM OH AM ANEM AM is a rip off!!

You have written as though "they" were interested in Comp. work ( No CM etc ).

From a teaching perspective, altho we know its value, CM is NOT top priority when I teach my class/private lessons to beginners.

In matter of fact, the priority needs to be developing Lead/Follow and floor craft ,And the ability to get around a dance floor , in a social event

The majority of beginner students , do not give a pigs ear, about in depth techn.( and in many cases, not any !)

Here's a few words of wisdom from the late A. Moore.. para phrased " After teaching for 1 year, I began to realise that, not Everyone, wanted to be a medalist " ...