Testimonials from Our Students
Bill Ellerman
Father Daughter Wedding Dance
The music was Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You", which starts with 43 seconds of Whitney singing with no music. I had planned to stand on the dance floor holding Angela's hands, waiting for the music to start.
We worked with André in a private lesson on the routine and decided to use a social Foxtrot to the song. The reception hall had a small, square dance floor in the center. André advised us to start in the middle of the floor, rotate once or twice, then move to a corner, rotate again, promenade with or without turn to the next corner, turn Angela there then move back to the middle. Then repeat in the other two corners, finishing with a dip in the center of the floor. He also strongly advised we practice at least once with Angela wearing the wedding dress.
In practicing with Angela in the dress, we found out she could not move backward without stepping on the bustled train, but she could follow, move and turn.
We arranged a second private lesson with Tess (our personal instructor), and worked on the basic routine. She had me move backward instead of Angela to get over the dress problem. Tess came up with a better opening, with me walking from my table to Angela's, offering my hand, and arm in arm escorting her onto and around the dance floor, moving into dance position just in time with the music starting. It was elegant, smooth and beautiful. She also came up with a close. After the dip, I would put Angela on my arm and escort her back to her table and hand her off to her new husband as the music fades. Once more it was elegant, smooth and beautiful.
Tess also added fifth position breaks, once in each direction. It turned out to be the highlight of the dance, with an ever growing applause with each one, (my wife assures me they were all applauding Angela, that no one even saw me).
Thank you Arthur Murray. Thank you Tess and André. We could not have done it without you.
William Ellerman
Bill Lovejoy
One day in December 1988 I entered the Arthur Murray Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland. The occassion was a response to a flier inviting me to visit the studio. I was met by the studio manager, shown the studio and queried about my dance ambitions. Now I had been dancing since 1956, which is when I had my first dance instructions at the Arthur Murray Studio in New York City, and over the years thereafter had much enjoyment using these dance skills. What I was looking for was a refresher course to add to my present skill level. I accepted a trial lesson and analysis and told my options. I enrolled for ten lessons. My plans were to complete the ten lessons and go about my own dancing, but as my lessons progressed I found that the pleasure I attained was rapidly growing with each party and private and group lessons I attended. The combination of people, music, studio atmosphere and instructors, for me, was what I wanted.
I enrolled in the medal program and danced a freestyles routine the following March. As I had never done this, I did not know what to expect. I did not believe I could have more fun than what I had gotten practicing for the event. I was sadly mistaken. It took me two days to come down from the high of this event. Since then, I have danced Showcase, Dance-O-Rama and Super-O-Rama and still marvel at the outstanding feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that I experience after each event. I thank you all.
Jennifer Eller
When I walked into Arthur Murray three years ago I just wanted to find something different that would fill my time between coaching and playing fall and spring softball. I needed a winter sport and being only 5 feet tall my days on the basketball court were sadly over. I still love my athletics outside of the dance floor, but have never been as healthy and active as I have become during my three years at Arthur Murray. It still surprises me that false eyelashes, glitter and satin heels have replaced my cleats, batting helmet and sliding pads but to be a well-rounded human being you need to evolve your ideas, interests and always challenge yourself.
It’s hard to describe everything that I get out of my lessons and classes at Arthur Murray. I know that I look forward to going and always feel welcome when I am there. I know that those that work there want to be there and believe in what they do. I know that it is a place where laughter is encouraged. I know that I find myself walking using Cuban motion. I know that I’ve been caught practicing arm stylings in the back of my classroom while my students are working and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. I know that being a student in something “outside” the box has improved my own teaching. I know that the groups of people I have met are varied; interesting and most importantly share a passion with me that I never knew I had. I know that my stress level has lessened and my calves have never looked better. Most importantly I know that walking into the studio is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Ilana Rosen
Vickie Bath
As a preteen watching through the bannister railings I was mesmerized as my parents and older sister danced–waltz, foxtrot, swing, cha cha– to the sounds of big band music under the tutelage of a ballroom dance instructor. And I thought to myself “when I’m in high school.”
Years passed pursuing an education, a career, dressage, but on quiet nights I might catch PBS’ Championship Ballroom Dancing, and admiring the poise, grace and elegance of the couples gliding across the floor, I would think to myself “when I have a partner.”
During a cruise, I noted that a professional dance couple would be teaching at odd hours, so I haunted the main lounge for opportunities to learn. And a week later I still couldn’t do a basic step! But my resolve was fortified when a friend at a work training program led me through an easy swing during our graduation party. I admired his skill and realized people like me could dance. Thus, at age 49 and without a partner, I told friends, family and office mates of my intention to learn to dance; they all thought it absurd. “She who roams the office halls like a herd of elephants, she with two left feet and no sense of rhythm--good luck to the poor instructor responsible for teaching her.”
Undeterred by their skepticism, I took advantage of Arthur Murray’s trial lesson and after 40 minutes I was able to execute a basic step for three dances. My instructor with his straightforward approach made it seem easy. I signed up for six more lessons and more lessons after that. With a professional and knowledgeable staff that is friendly, supportive, encouraging and, in my case, very patient, I saw my skill grow and looked forward to each new lesson.
After many years I finally made a commitment to learn to dance and I discovered it was an investment in myself--greater poise and confidence, improved coordination, balance, muscle control and posture, a new circle of friends, exercise that is fun and helps relieve stress...
and the partner I had originally thought to take lessons with. We met at Arthur Murray in the fall of 2002 and were married on July 10, 2004. Now when we dance together outside our dance community, people often will tell us how much they enjoyed watching us. I always thank them and Arthur Murray. And I have found that, for other people, I am one of the people I used to admire–one who can dance.
Now in my ninth year of dancing at Arthur Murray my goals are simple--to continue to improve my dancing and have fun doing it. And yes, I do have one regret–I should have come to Arthur Murray years earlier. – Vickie Bath
Donald Ware
As I started my drive from my residence in Bowie to the Arthur Murray Studio in Silver Spring, I began to reminisce about my first days of venturing into the world of ballroom dancing, never thinking that I would prolong it for more than a few weeks at most and certainly not recognizing if I would really enjoy it, or even more so, would I really learn to dance?
Well I have gained knowledge of a few steps and unquestionably I have enjoyed every moment and these are the principal motivations:
Executive Leadership: Linda Theiss. Ms. Theiss is very proficient, warm, and approachable. She is very professionally secure in her management of the studio and she permits her staff to accomplish their duties and responsibilities independently. While I realize that her staff is both professionally and administratively skilled, allowing them the latitude to perform autonomously is essential to all successful executives and to her personal attainment. Ms. Theiss’s recruitment of the present team speaks volumes of her comprehension of dance. These are the basic dedications of a Superior Executive.
Administrative Assistance: Tammy Robinson. Ms. Robinson provides information and assistance that is concise and accurate, and it is provided expeditiously. This all comes with a healthy pleasant disposition, approach, and attitude.
Professional Dance Staff: To each of you a special thanks for the useful notations and pieces of advice that you have rendered to me and every one of the dance students. You are a great team of expertly certified practitioners and you achieve well as a group.
Personal Dance Instructor: Jennifer Peter. What a beautiful and gorgeous time it’s been. I can distinctly remember my very first class in December, 2007. I was somewhat nervous and certainly I didn’t know what to expect. After our initial greeting, I stumbled onto the dance floor and then I danced upon Jennifer’s feet. Finally, Jennifer said to me that the objective of dance is not for me to carry you, but for you to lead me, and then she taught me how. Ms. Peter’s tutorship and gleaming direction have allowed me to mature as a dancer. I have achieved self-assurance on the dance floor and at social events in general. I ask that Jennifer accept this communication as a gesture of my heartfelt gratitude and genuine admiration for her guidance, leadership, and alliance. I send her love, adornment, and friendship continuously now and throughout the approaching years.
Donald Ware