As America's second oldest franchise organization, Arthur Murray International, Inc. is known around the world as a prominent entertainment company with franchises located throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, Europe, the Middle-East, Japan, South Africa and Australia. With the beginning of a new millennium, social dancing is again a significant part of popular culture for all generations. Today the Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studios continue a tradition of more than 88 years in teaching the world to dance.
The history of the Arthur Murray Franchised Dance studios began in 1912 with a man named
Arthur Murray, an American symbol of entrepreneurial success and social dancing. Murray was among the first to use advertising techniques considered cutting edge at the time. His concept of selling dance lessons by mail, one step at a time, took the use of direct mail to a new level. Murray's creative use of print advertising attracted national attention as did his business acumen. In March of 1920, using students from Georgia Tech, Murray arranged to have music transmitted to a group of his dance students a few miles away.
This was the world's first radio broadcast of live dance music for dancing. Prior to World War II, Arthur Murray teachers were a regular part of every first-class steamship cruise and during the Thirties, the studios introduced such dances to the public as the "Lambeth Walk" and "The Big Apple." In fact it was "The Big Apple" that launched Mr. Murray's one studio into the largest chain of dance studios in the world today.
In 1938 the first official opening of a franchised dance school occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1942 singer Betty Hutton with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra recorded the big hit song "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing In A Hurry" for the movie "The Fleet's In" and by 1946 there were 72 Arthur Murray Dance Studios across America. Arthur Murray was the first to realize the growing popularity of the Latin dances in America during the 1950's. Many conventions were held in Cuba during that time to give Arthur Murray dance trainers first-hand knowledge of the hot new Latin styles and moves that were in vogue and becoming popular.
In July 1950, Mr. Murray purchased five fifteen-minute television spots on CBS and persuaded his wife Kathryn to do the teaching. Before the third show, Arthur bought a half-hour summer series on ABC. The show was called the "Arthur Murray Dance Party." By May 1952, the Murray's had televised almost 100 programs. Their TV ratings climbed and in the summer of 1952 they signed with their first sponsor, General Foods. Millions of viewers all over the United States fell in love with the show and flocked to the Arthur Murray Studios throughout the country. This highly popular show ran for twelve years on national television.
When Arthur and Kathryn Murray retired in 1964, a group of franchisees purchased the company and brought a fresh new spirit and leadership to it. Under its new leadership, the Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studios has kept pace with the rapidly changing "youth culture" and continues today to flourish as the world's largest dance instruction organization.
Arthur Murray dance teachers can be found not only in the studios, but on the movie sets in Hollywood; backstage on Broadway; and partnering with major entertainers to promote the music that the world dances to. Whenever a movie involves dance, it's a good bet that AMI has been involved in some way, shape or form. Such movies as Dirty Dancing, Dirty Dancing II, Dance With Me, Beautician And The Beast, Flash Dance, An American President, True Lies, Saturday Night Fever and Scent Of A Woman are some of the films which have used Arthur Murray instructors to either teach a dance to the stars and/or dance in the film.
All Arthur Murray franchised Dance Studios are independently owned and operated by individuals who started as dance instructors and worked their way up to the executive level. By the time they are qualified to purchase a franchise, they have experienced every phase of studio operations, from teaching and supervising to marketing and managing.
Yesterday in my car, I was listening to one of my own CD's; "Cowboys and Angels" by George Michael was playing. In my head, I was waltzing around the floor with Meredith, and it was magical. When it works, when we feel the music and dance without thinking, it sometimes feels as if we are floating effortlessly above the floor. It made me think about how much I love dancing and how this is something I've always wanted to do. I'm so grateful that I've had the opportunity these last seven years to play at being Fred Astaire to my wife's Ginger Rogers, to live a part of each day in a fantasy world filled with spins and dips and laughter. I am ever so grateful to all of the instructors at Arthur Murray for giving me the tools to live that dream. It's something I intend to do as long as my feet keep moving.
Dancing isn't just dancing. It's socializing, promoting health through physical activity, and the world's greatest stress reliever. It can heal that inner gym-dreader some of us still carry from school. It improves posture. It builds confidence. For couples, it strengthens your relationship with your partner. For singles, it opens up a new world of friends. It's not an exaggeration to say it can be life-changing.
I have been a student at Arthur Murray for six years now, and I hope to continue for many more years. Learning to dance has helped me lose weight, build self-confidence, and improve my overall health. It has given me many wonderful friends and more opportunities for socializing than I had before I started dancing. It gives me something to look forward to at the end of the workday. It lifts my spirits when I’m feeling blue. It challenges me to keep growing, learning, and improving. It’s the best gift I’ve ever given myself.
Ballroom dancing had always appealed to me, and I hoped that someday I would be able to take lessons. Through the Bloomington Arthur Murray Dance Studio’s interest in doing an event to assist local charities, I got my chance at those lessons…and I have been dancing ever since. Why? Well, it’s a great way to exercise and to relieve stress. But I have most appreciated the confidence it has given me, and not just on the dance floor. Plus, it’s just fun!
I have never been more positive about anything in my life, than I am about my decision to join a program at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. You not only learn a new skill that you will have for life, but there is so much more. You have more energy because you become more active and get more exercise. You will enjoy an increased social confidence, agility, enhanced well being. I could go on, but best of all... I have expanded my social life among some of the sweetest, warmest, most supportive and intelligent people that have become my friends.
Learning to dance at Arthur Murray, well, it hasn't changed our lives but it sure has enriched our lives, at the brink of disaster. Twenty years of marriage, three teenagers, two toddlers, two full time jobs each and full time school, there wasn't any time for romance; we were slipping away from one another. Taking time out to learn to dance together was just what we needed and it has brought us closer together as a couple. The time we share together dancing at the studio has made other problems in our lives much easier to cope with. Dancing puts us in another world. Learning to dance as a couple isn't about steps, it is about being a team and learning to be comfortable with yourself and your partner. My husband is very bashful, but learning to dance at Arthur Murray has given him the confidence and self -esteem he needed, to be the person he is.
Dancing has made such a difference in my life. I am going through a difficult time in my life and it has been an angel from heaven given to me to help me through this time. My instructor, the staff and my fellow students have given me such support, confidence and fun that I tell everyone they should come and learn how to dance!
Wow, I'm not sure how to even begin to list the ways dancing has changed our lives! Ben and I started taking dance lessons 7 years ago when we saw the empty nest looming. Dancing has given us a new lease on "life after kids". It's gotten us off the couch and gives us daily exercise. Dancing has greatly enhanced our social circle - as well as my wardrobe! Dancing has also enhanced our self-confidence and gives us a fun and meaningful activity to do together as a couple. Quite honestly, we hope we can dance together forever.
I met my lovely wife at a dance. I never would have gone to the dance if I hadn't learned to dance at Arthur Murray's!
