Just wanted to shed a postive light on Arthur Murray Dance Studios..I have really enjoyed my time and lessons at the studio. The instructors are awesome! they have plenty of group classes and fun club nights.
However, it is a franchise biz, so studios are going to be hit or miss..different ownership in every studio.They do make money off of showcases and freestyle events, and keeping the syllabus tailored to keep you coming back for more..BUT thats the whole point of a business..to make money and in this instance keep you dancing!

Arthur Murray is highly respected in dance...and I was a little depressed to read all the negative comments . SO here I am full of positivity

im from australia and never heard of american and international styles but its not fair to bag out other studios you have not danced in ive been with 1 studio for 5 years and love it. i have tryed others but there not my thing like u said its a hit or miss goo luck xoxox
ash

Yes, one runs a business to make money as well, but it appears to me that the main objection to the AM business, judging from the comments of others is that it is generally exploitive and perhaps dishonest, dancers pay a lot and get very little in return. A good business should be a win-win for both the customer and business. If there are businesses engaging in this kind of practice anywhere in the world then one should let others know so that people can make more informed decisions. That's part of the free market and keeps it working properly.

Rha

Every studio--franchise or independent--has to be judged on its own merits. There are good and bad studios of all kinds and what name they have out front doesn't totally predict what you'll find inside.

It's also a question of what each student wants out of their dancing; studios that are great for one person might not be right for someone else.

I agree that each studio needs to be evaluated on its own merits. I know 2 former AM instructors who are extremely high level (One now a Fellow/ISTD Examiner the other a Member CDTA. I also know one who entered our local newcomer competition and came 3rd.

Locally an AM studio opened in our community. I cannot verify directly but I've been told the students they hired and trained fresh out of highschool are up in arms because they were told $18-$22/hour (This they advertsised) and full-time work. I'm hearing now that they're upset because it's turned out to be:

a) part-time
b) basic wage

When I hear that the teachers are "awesome" I have 2 thoughts:

a) Are they "awesome" based on ability or personality? Has the student actually danced with a championship level or fully trained over many years teacher and is aware of the difference? I remember the first time I danced the woman's part with the ISTD examiner. My feet had no choice about where they were going based on his body shaping. He doesn't dance his steps. He dances the woman into her steps. No eight week wonder can give anyone that.

b) What is the writer's relationship with the studio? (The cynical view).

OB

AM gets what they deserve. Its true that if you cheat people and take advantage of them, then when they get a chance, they will return the favor.

About ten percent of what AM charges goes to the franchise fee. That means that it is tightly centrally controlled. All McDonalds are the same because they are all franchises and for the same reason, All AM Studios are the same. They are all Franchises and pay ten percent of sales to the AMI. Therefore, one can assume that all operate under the same instructions and rules.

What comes around come back around!!!

I won't bash, but I will explain a recent experience. I take classes from one independent instructor who doesn't own a studio. She was ranked 6th in the US in Intl Standard prior to retiring. Her classes are $50 for a 50 minute lesson. I also take classes at a studio from instructors who were World Finalist's in Intl 10 dance. The cost of those lessons is $70 for 45 minutes. Both of these have free student showcases. I recently met a man who began taking classes with the independent instructor. He had been going to an AM studio for almost three years. He was paying $135 for a 45 minute lesson from teachers with no competitive titles and had to pay to be in a student showcase. He considered himself at least an intermediate dancer. After his first lesson with the other instructor, he was very upset at his lack of technique after paying such high prices for lessons. He has since left the AM studio and is working toward competing pro-am with the independent instructor. This isn't the first time I have heard stories like this. Anyone beginning to take lessons should be wary and do research about local studios to ensure they don't get ripped off.

I know someone who had the same experience. In general, AM seems best for people who want to be social dancers only and who enjoy the social atmosphere at AM.

I have a friend who I met at the independent studio where I take privates. He took lots of group classes there, but would never take privates because he felt they were too expensive. Then he met an AM instructor, got a crush on her, and ended up taking privates at AM--for much more than the indpendent cost! But the real punch line of the story is that the girl left--and he continued taking lessons there, even signed up for further packages. For him, the very social atmosphere was worth the money. He never wanted to compete, was not that interested in technique beyond a certain point, and loved to do fancy moves. AM was perfect for him and he's very happy.

People have different dance goals and different studios serve those various goals.

Again, I stress that each studio has to be evaluated on it's own merits but I sometimes feel that AM hit on an idea that many (not just AM) have taken to a sleazy advantage. This is not my total view, I admit it is somewhat cynical and is not just symptomatic of the chains. Seems to me:

1. AM recognized many single women want to go dancing.
2. Many are retired widows with $$$$s.
3. They want to look pretty.
4. They can't tell a good trained teacher from a beginner in a suit.
5. There are tons of extra women and few men.

From a purely business point of view it seems a natural to hire young guys, give them a short course, dress them up in a blazer and offer them as partners to women with money to spare who just want to dance. (As a financial writer I have to admire that and I recognize this is only a small element). If you're in a studio where that is happening then to me it's the dance equivalent of pro-wrestling vs. sport. If what you're after is entertainment then fine. It's Business vs. Art.

It's not just the women and not just AM either. We were at a regional non-US pro-AM this past weekend that was 99% International style. A competitor from the US and the other side of the continent showed up with 2 teachers (one standard, one latin) he apparently housed in a hotel for a week beforehand. As the latin event is progressing my wife notes a picture in the program for a US event in August. This fellow is dancing with the "Showcase" performer for the event. She also happens to be the "US National Champion". This must have cost the fellow a fortune.

You get hooked on your hobby and will spend whatever!

Unfortunately, there are lots of these kinds of stories.

Unfortunately, they detract from the good stories.

OB

Arthur Murray is great for people who want to dance socially but the students are paying an exhorbitant amount of money for teachers with little to no experience in the field of ballroom and latin american. I have been a student at both am and international and can verify the difference in standard.