Arthur Murray Dance Studios - Atlanta Marietta Studio Alpharetta Studio

Meet the Stars: John Grant

We are very excited that our own Ms. Martin will be dancing with John Grant.

John GrantJohn Thomas Grant, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of 100 Black Men of Atlanta (100) and has been a member of the organization for over 20 years. In his position, Grant is responsible for managing the organization’s day-to-day growth and direction. Grant has garnered a reputation among his Atlanta-chapter colleagues for his ability to obtain “blue-chip” corporate sponsors and successfully manage their investments in the organization. Under his leadership, the 100 has attained a level of visibility and prominence that underscores the importance of its philanthropic mission established by its founding members in 1986.

Learn more about John on his Dancing Stars of Atlanta profile page.

Atlanta News Anchors to Serve as Celebrity Judges

3rd Annual “Dancing Stars of Atlanta”

The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter is excited to announce its panel of celebrity judges for “Dancing Stars of Atlanta” on June 2. WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News anchor John Bachman, Atlanta TV Journalist Kimberly Kennedy and WXIA 11Alive News anchor Brenda Wood will offer up scores to 10 local celebrities who will compete and fundraise in a one-night gala dance competition. Mirroring the popular TV show Dancing with the Stars, this event will take place on June 2, 2012 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.

Read the rest of this page »

Meet the Stars: Amanda Olmstead

We are very excited that our own Mr. Quintanilla will be dancing with Amanda Olmstead.

Amanda OlmsteadAmanda was born in Jackson, Mississippi with one brother and one sister. She grew up in Jackson and graduated from Murrah High School and the University of Mississippi. While growing up, Amanda was extremely active in theater, with lead roles in productions such as, Carousel, Good News, Babes in Arms, and The Fantastics. Her interests included dance, from age 4, through University Dancers at Ole’ Miss. Other hobbies included singing, performing in musical theater, opera, and with jazz groups.

Learn more about Amanda on her Dancing Stars of Atlanta profile page.

Check Out Fox5 New York’s Story About Our Anniversary!

We hope you join us April 4th to celebrate Arthur Murray’s birthday with a worldwide dance party at the place it all started. In the mean time, check out this video from Fox5 New York about our 100 years of dance!

Arthur Murray celebrates 100 years: MyFoxNY.com

Join Us for Alpharetta’s Anniversary Open House February 9th!

Arthur Murray Atlanta, home to Atlanta’s best ballroom and Latin dance lessons, is pleased to invite friends, families and the public at large to an outstanding celebration at its Alpharetta Studio! We’re celebrating our one year anniversary at this newest location, during Arthur Murray’s 100 Year Anniversary. Please join us for complimentary hors d’ouevres, complimentary champagne and punch, great door prizes, free mini-lessons, and of course, a chance to dance!

We’ll be featuring a professional show with special guests, Rising Star American Style Smooth Champs Amanda Stuart & Justin Kaiser. Students from both studios are welcome to bring friends and family, and can download a poster to post or share via the link below.

Save the date:

Thursday, Feb. 9th, 12012
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Alpharetta Studio
7855 North Point Parkway, Suite B
(678) 795-9854

Click here to download a Poster for Print (approx 2.5 M)

Great Dates to Dance in Atlanta in 2012

Great Dates to Save in 2012 (Alpharetta and Combined Events)

Here’s just a sampling of the fun in store for Atlanta’s ballroom dance destination — Arthur Murray! If you’ve been a wallflower, make 2012 the year you put on your dancing shoes and join us for a year full of socializing while getting fit — and fleet footed! Stay tuned for more event info next month!

  • Feb. 10th 1st Anniversary Open House in Alpharetta.  Bring your friends, neighbors and countryman!  Hors d’oeuvres, champagne, social dancing and Professional Show.
  • Feb TBA Arthur Murray Fun-O-Rama in Orlando
  • April 4th Worldwide 24-hour 100 year Anniversary Celebration, to be held at the historic Georgian Terrace. Join us where it all began for hometown dance hero and innovator, Arthur Murray!  A night of spotlights is in store, with dance competitions like Peabody, the Twist, Charleston, Lindy, Electric Slide and more! Stay tuned for details to get in sync for a Global blast!
  • June 15th Spotlight Extravaganza (combined party held in Alpharetta)
  • August Summer Showcase in Charlotte
  • Nov. 2nd Murray Showstoppers (combined party in Marietta)

 

Kudos to Our Students Who Are Checking Out Their Figures This Month:

Arthur Murray Atlanta joins the Marietta studio in congratulating the following outstanding students who are “moving on up” to the next level in their dance quest. Hats off to you each for your hard work and dedication! Keep up the great work, and keep those happy feet dancin’!

Check Out this Article from The Atlanta Best Self Magazine on The Benefits of Ballroom Dancing!

This article appeared at The Atlanta Best Self Magazine and we thought they did such a nice job, we’re posting it here for your review. You may also visit Best Self to read more great articles about healthy living!

You’ve seen it on TV.  You’ve been thinking about it.  Come in to a dance studio for a fun, unique workout AND add a spark to your love life!  Experience Dancing!

Dancing: A Romantic Alternative

The romantic properties of dance are a secret that all good dancers enjoy:

Men feel confident when they recognize which dance is being played and have the ability to walk across the dance floor and ask a lady to dance.

Women will enjoy being asked to dance knowing that they have mastered the grace, poise, styling, and important following skills of a trained dancer.

Couples can add the romantic skills that come with the holding, touching, and moving to the music that dancing provides.

Single people can meet new friends as dancing provides a natural ice breaker and becomes a common denominator in any crowd.

Dancing: The Ideal Exercise

Exercising by jogging (outdoors or on a treadmill) is an unattractive alternative for many people. Dancing is a mild form of aerobic workout and dance lessons make exercise a fun and enjoyable social event any night of the week. Your “dance workout” is beneficial in many ways:

  • Olympic athletes often include dance in their training to sharpen control, agility, speed, and balance.
  • Dance contributes to good posture and body alignment.
  • Dance encourages gentle stretching.
  • Dance increases your flexibility and stamina.
  • Dance benefits your cardiovascular system as you swing and sway from hips to shoulders.

How do I get started?
Getting started is easy. The first step is to schedule a free introductory lesson with one of our trained instructors. During that lesson, your instructor will determine your current level and recommend an appropriate course for you to continue.

Can I really learn to dance?
Yes. Dancing is as easy as walking once you are taught how by an Arthur Murray expert. We teach simple, basic elements, from which the steps are derived. Hundreds of thousands of people have been successfully trained in Arthur Murray Dance Studios. There is no age limit. Our oldest students are over 70. The youngest are usually in their early teens.

How long will it take?
The length of your course will depend on how many dances you want to learn and how proficient you wish to become in each dance. However, you will be able to dance after your first lesson.

How much do lessons cost?
Tuition varies, depending on a number of factors e.g., how good you want to be, what dances you want to learn, and your dance schedule. Your first lesson is $25.00. After that lesson, your instructor will recommend a program and will be able to answer any questions, so you will have the knowledge to make an informed choice.

What should I wear?
At our studio, we want your lessons to be relaxing and fun. There is no enforced dress code of any sort for our students from the ankles up. We do recommend some shoes appropriate for dancing, however. If you do not have any dance shoes, please wear a shoe that doesn’t grip the floor heavily (boots, large tread shoes) or is a sandal/flip-flop without any heel support (you will be taking steps backwards, which will cause your foot to slip out).

Do I need a partner?
No.  We offer group and one-on-one lessons. During your one-on-one private lessons, you will receive personalized instruction that will help you achieve your goals in dancing. Your instructor will spend the time necessary on technique, styling, and general dance improvement. An up-to-date record of everything you have learned will also be kept as part of your instruction.

A tailored program at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio is all you need to turn your dancing AND your romantic life around.

Leslie is a former American Rhythm and Latin Champion and member of the Arthur Murray National Dance Board. Julie’s expertise lies with the business aspects of the studio and she has been awarded the most prestigious Top Supervisor for Arthur Murray Studios. Their father, Harry E. Spearin, had a lifetime career with Arthur Murray Studios and worked directly for Arthur Murray himself in the 1950’s.