 We teach our students through a mix of three different types of lessons, Private Lessons, Group Classes, and Practice Party Sessions. Using a combination of these lessons gives you the best possible dance education. Bolero | Cha Cha | Fox Trot | Hustle | Lindy Mambo | Merengue | Two Step | Rumba | Salsa Samba | Slow Dancing | Swing | Tango | Waltz | Viennese Waltz PRIVATE 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 be kept as part of your instruction. GROUP CLASSES Group lessons are an important addendum to your private instruction. They give you the opportunity to dance with a variety of partners, develop good dance habits and meet other students in the studio. In group lessons we emphasize technique, style and variation of patterns. You may be taught materials that your regular instructor hasn't introduced you to yet. Additionally, material that has been introduced will be reviewed and practiced for improvement. Group lessons are held for different dances and levels. Please ask your teacher for the schedule and take advantage of another fine way to help you become a more proficient and confident dancer. PRACTICE PARTIES We hold scheduled dance parties (practice sessions) for all our students. These practice parties are held twice a week. You will have fun dancing with the instructors and students in a relaxed and comfortable environment. This gives you the opportunity to practice and try out all the new dance skills that you've learned in your private and group lessons. WEDDING PROGRAMS It wasn't so long ago that a couple's first dance as man and wife, as special as it was, was only an effervescent memory -- a fact that was no small blessing for couples who happened to lack any experience with dancing. With the advent of home video, a newlywed couple's first dance is almost always recorded on tape, available down through the years for all of posterity to see. That's why prospective brides and grooms want to give a more polished and graceful performance on the their big day. They are increasingly opting to take dance lessons to help prepare for what may be the performance of their lifetimes. At Arthur Murray, we can help prepare you to make that performance a success. BOLERO Originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba into 2/4 time and then eventually into 4/4 time. It is now present as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. This dance is often said to have the rise and fall of Waltz, the contra-body motion of Tango, and the rhythm of Rumba. It is a favorite of dancers, as it incorporates many techniques similar to other dances to create a slow, sensual, romantic dance. CHA CHA The Cha-Cha adds fun to your dancing through it's syncopated steps and many open movements. When you can dance many interesting combinations with ease, you and your partner will be able to feel the pulsating latin rhythms which make this dance so fascinating. The energetic rhythm of the Cha-Cha encourages you to cut loose and let your personality show. FOX TROT Fox Trot is a dance from which you can acquire a basic foundation. Learning to combine steps easily and smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. The Fox Trot posture is attractive in appearance and helpful to all other dances. Being able to dance to slow, medium, and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner. The Fox Trot provides a good foundation for all dances and is often called the 'get-acquainted' or 'first impression' dance. HUSTLE Hustle originated in the 1970's Disco Era and was popularized by John Travolta in the movie 'Saturday Night Fever.' Both the music and the dance swept the country like wildfire, and although the white suits and gold chains have faded away, the dance has stayed, giving us the fusion of Swing and Disco. Hustle is still one of the most popular nightclub dances across the country today. LINDY Popular musical groups of today have revived interest in the musical styles from the original Lindy Hop Era and have fired the imagination and enthusiasm of a whole new generation of Lindy Hop dancers. However, the acrobatic style used for exhibitions is not the same as the quietly rhythmic Lindy enjoyed by most dancers on the ballroom floor. MAMBO Mambo is a fusion of Cuban and American dancing. The music is characterized by a stirring Afro-Cuban beat. Mambo is an exciting dance which allows you to develop your own feeling and expression. Because Mambo is such a fun dance, good Mambo dancers are always popular and in demand as partners. The wild exciting music, and rhythmical body movements make the earthy Mambo irresistible. MERENGUE Merengue develops Cuban Motion and the ability to adapt to any partner. It is the only Latin dance that combines one-step timing with Cuban Motion and therefore is a help to all Latin dances. The march type beat sharpens timing & coordination and the proper use of the accent will develop a clearer interpretation of musical rhythm. Merengue is the simplest dance to learn. It's uncomplicated timing makes it easy to feel the music. TWO STEP The Two-Step originated in the 1800's by people who arrived here from Europe. It was an offspring of the minuet and they danced it as QQSS. In the old Western days when women were not allowed to dance with men, men danced together and that is the reason for the hand on the shoulder holding a can of beer and the other hand to the side. The only women who eventually danced with these men were Indian Squaws and that is where all the turns came about, because Indian women loved to spin. Two-step is a Western dance whose popularity has spread all over the United States. RUMBA Learning the Rumba is a prerequisite for good Latin dancing. The Cuban Motion is essential in most Latin dances. The Rumba is used by good dancers everywhere and provides interesting variety suited to a limited space. Neat, attractive, precise footwork gives you confidence in your dancing. The Rumba will sharpen your sense of rhythm, timing, and muscular control. SALSA Salsa is the Spanish word for 'sauce' denoting a 'spicy' and 'hot' flavor to this popular dance style to a complex mix of many different rhythms. There are indications the term Salsa was coined by radio disc jockeys in Puerto Rico as early as the 1960's. Later associated with a New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians, Salsa is considered the national music and dance of Puerto Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Cuban beat with enhanced jazz textures results in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere. Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the Mambo and Cha-Cha. SAMBA Samba improves the flexibility of the body and helps achieve easy movement and lightness. The Samba rolling action teaches the body to be supple. To move lightly, quickly, and smoothly without effort takes study but only at the start. Although considered a good exercise, Samba should be danced smoothly and in a relaxed manner giving the appearance of effortless movement. Sometimes called the South American Waltz, the Samba pulsates to a unique Latin rhythm. SLOW DANCING This dance is related to Fox Trot but is done with even timing and on smaller crowded nightclub floors. This is a great dance for couples who want to get out on the dance floor immediately. It is useful in jazzy nightclubs or lounges. SWING The Swing is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and is a dance easily mastered by most people. The various speeds are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading & following which will add comfort and ease in other rhythm dances. After mastering the patterns, both men and women will find Swing a fun and exciting dance to learn and practice. Perhaps the most uniquely American of all dances, the Swing brings forth a buoyant carefree movement. It's one of the dances that becomes contagious. TANGO In order to achieve the distinctive style of the Tango it is important to develop controlled staccato footwork, along with fluid graceful movements. The unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing which develops as the dancer becomes more proficient. Tango practice is essential towards becoming a good dancer. WALTZ Waltz develops balance and control. The basic Waltz steps are the foundation patterns used in most ballroom dances. Correct posture, rise and fall, and flowing movements should be stressed to achieve good styling. The elegant sweeping movement of the Waltz gives dancers a chance to practice balance and to move lightly with ease. VIENNESE WALTZ With such wonderful composers as Johann Strauss and others, the Waltz became more and more refined. The steps became smaller with the turns smoother and more compact. Adding the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts we have today's Viennese Waltz. Accolades | Employment | Links | Mailing List | For Rent | Calendar (C) 2010 Arthur Murray of Pasadena |