Arrowhead Arthur Murray Dance Studio

Meet our Staff

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Come meet our staff!!!

Staff Biographies

Vanessa Madrid- Dance Specialist & Administrative/Executive Assistant
Vanessa Madrid grew up tap dancing at the age of three in Pueblo, Colorado, for thirteen years. She has always loved the rhythm and expression of dance and was able to express that through tapping, as well as becoming a high school cheerleader at Pueblo South. Vanessa is very excited about her brand new introduction into the ballroom world, and plans on using her communications degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo towards introducing people to their best quality of life through dance and Arthur Murray!::br:

Laura Cotton-Supervisor
With her B.A. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, Laura is able to combine her degree and her passion for music, dance, and fitness through teaching ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray. She is also known for getting students in-shape through the successful Core Rhythms cardio workout program. Laura was ranked second Top Specialist in Arthur Murray’s Tournament of Champions in 2010 and ranked second Top Supervisor in the 2011 International Dance Festival. She was recognized in Arthur Murray’s Global Teaching Challenge in 2009 and 2010, through the use of diverse teaching methods and motivation among her students. With her professional partner, Nick Manzo, Laura currently holds the title of Arthur Murray Rising Star Smooth Champion, Washington National Dance-O-Rama Open Professional Smooth Champion, and is a consistent Open Professional Smooth finalist. Laura hopes to help change more lives through the art of dance, like it has changed hers.

Denise Prado-Dance Specialist
Denise Prado started dancing ballet, jazz, and tap at the age of 3 and performed until the age of 13. For a short while she decided to try sports such as volleyball and softball. At the age of 17 she rediscovered her love of dance when shesigned up for her first ballroom lesson. From there she competed at a high level in the Pr-Am division in all four styles. Some of her accomplishments include U.S. 9-Dance Champion, Ohio Star Ball’s Best of the Best Champion, and U.S.Pro-Am Rising Star Champion in Rhythm and Smooth. Some of her coaches include Tony Dovolani and Louie Van Amstel of Dancing With the Stars, and Toni Redpath of So You Think You Can Dance. Her Journey as an instructor is just beginning and she is so excited to share her love and passion for the exquisite art of dance. Denise has been ranked as one of the top Arthur Murray specialist in the world!

Tony Lomeli -Dance Specialist
Tony Lomeli has had a passion for dancing, music, and fitness for several years. As a personal trainer and dance instructor, Tony enjoys improving people’s self body image and helping them achieve their personal dance goals. Not ony is Tony veered as a top specialist in our industry, but he is currently ranked in the top 20 specialists in the world!

Bonnie Yuen – Instructor
Bonnie Yuen is our studio’s female instructor. She is currently competing in American Rhythm and was a finalist in the Arthur Murray Future Champions division. With 9 years of dance studies and experiences, she is very knowledgeable in a wide variety of dances, including: jazz, lyrical, modern, choreography, hip hop/break dancing, and more. Bonnie danced for the 2007-2008 WNBA Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad and the 2008 season of AFL Rattlers Sidewinders dance team. She was also involved in local dance crews, Epik Dance Co. and Female Prophecy, and performed and competed all over the valley. Bonnie has been teaching since she was 17 years o ld, and is wonderful with students of all ages! She is very passionate about changing lives through the art of dance. One day, she hopes to open YOUR eyes to the beautiful world of dance!

Nick Manzo- Instructor
Nick Manzo began teaching with Arthur Murray in 2008, and has quickly became one of Arthur Murray’s top instructors! Through hard work and dedication, Nick has received top instructor awards in 2009 and 2010. Nick was also given the 2009 Top Twenty Specialist Award and a 2009 Star Performance Award. Nick has also had students finish 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place in Associate Bronze all-around competitions and also had a student receive a Top Newcomer Award. Nick’s personal dancing has also escaladed quickly with his partner Laura Cotton. In 2009, they won the Future Champions Smooth at the Unique Dance-O-Rama Championships. In 2010, Nick and Laura became open finalists at Hula-Rama, Boston Dance-O-Rama, and the Northstar Dance-O-Rama. In October 2010, Nick and Laura became Arthur Murray’s Rising Star Champions and Open finalists. One month later, they won their first Open competition.

Candee Martinez-James Co-Owner/Franchisee
Candee Martinez-James has been dancing several forms of dancing in many theaters and venues since she was a young child. Candee comes from a family of all types of performing artist, so you could say she grew up in the business of performing arts! From ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, choreography, to swing, latin and country western. Candee continued her love of dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in 2001. Before opening the Arrowhead Arthur Murray School of Dancing, she has worked her way up from being a top female instructor to a top female executive. To this day, Candee is still achieving several Top Executive awards in the Arthur Murray Organization, and is recognized and respected as one of the Top Franchisees*.
-Candee*s students have won many awards, such as:
1st Place Top Routine
Finalist in all divisions
Top Student Awards
-Candee has also won many honors in the Arthur Murray Industry, such as:
Top Female Instructor 2002, 2003, 2004
Top Executive Awards 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Finalist in American Rhythm
Finalist in International Latin

Mychael James Co-Owner/Franchisee
Mychael James grew up in the Ballroom Dance World. At age 9 he began dancing and training with a Romanian Dance Champion, Henia Lynn. At a young age he trained with top dancers such as, Ron Montez and Jenell Maranto. He began teaching at age 17 and found the love of improving peoples lives through dancing. At age 20, he began at Arthur Murray, where he won multiple Top Teacher and Top Executive awards. Below are some of the dance, teaching andstudio honors Mychael has received from 1999- Present Day.
-Eight Time 1st Place Top Teacher
-Six Time Top Executive
-American Smooth Pro/AM Scholarship Champion
-American Rhythm Professional Finalist
-International Standard Pro/AM Finalist
-International/Latin Professional Finalist

About Us

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Arthur Murray International, Inc. is known around the world as a prominent entertainment company with franchises located throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Europe, the Middle-East, Japan, 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 98 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 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 continue 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 movies sets in Hollywood; backstage on Broadway; and partnership with major entertainers to promote the music that the world dances to. Whenever a movie involves dance, it’s good bet that AMII 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.

The Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studio’s name appears regularly in major national magazines that include Vogue, Martha Stewart Wedding, Smithsonian, Sport Illustrated, Woman’s Day and more. Wherever advertisers want to reach consumer’s with a message of romance, intimacy or just plain fun, you’ll see dancing, from the Gap now famous Khaki Swing commercials to dancing M&M’s and gas pumps.

Arthur Murray International’s commitment to dance goes even further, with senior management heavily involved in the world of professional and amateur competitive dance, known as DanceSport. Many of Arthur Murray’s official have contributed to bringing competitive ballroom to the forefront as an Olympic Sport.

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. It is possible for an ambitious person to advance to a top executive job and become eligible to be a franchisee within just few years.

Building from within has kept the studio system strong, with franchisees that are committed to the Spirit of Excellence which is the hallmark of the entire Arthur Murray system. Currently there are approximately 250 Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studios worldwide.

Events

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Calendar

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CLICK TO ENLARGE!

And see all of the exciting classes we offer!

Dance Programs

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After you come in for your first orientation lesson, it is our job recommend to you the appropriate dance program that will best accommodate your dance goals and desires. We are able to work with all dance levels as well as many different financial situations.

Introductory Program
This program is designed as an introduction to three or four of the popular social dances. Its purpose is to develop your movement, timing and help you to recognize different music, also to teach you basic lead and follow.

Foundation Program
This program is designed to develop four basic dances to the level of moving around the floor with a partner to make the dance more enjoyable to your partner. It will strengthen your lead/follow and give confidence to get on the floor without the fear of not knowing what to do.

Associate Bronze
This is the program for the impatient dancer. It will develop free movement around the floor, much more variety, a little technique, footwork, and your first introduction to styling to make your partner comfortable, and give you more assurance that you look good on the floor. This four dance program is very popular with the person that wants to get on the floor this Friday night.

Full Bronze
Bronze is the full Social Standard. It will develop timing and technique in all nine Social Dances. The styling will make you look nice and comfortable while on the floor. It will strengthen your lead and following to the point that no matter who your partner is, you will look poised and very good in ten steps plus variations in each of the dances. It will give you all the confidence you will ever need on the dance floor. Dancing at this level will be yours to keep as you will never forget the elements of each dance. It is the fun point in dancing when you don’t have to think about anything but enjoying your partner and having fun yourself. You will be checked out in each phase by an Arthur Murray Examiner. Congratulations! You are now a full-fledged dancer!

Silver
Silver is a dance standard with a high degree of styling. Flashy moves make this standard stand out on the dance floor. Continuity of movement makes a couple glide around the dance floor, with many changes in direction. Styling makes this standard develop an individual character – some people become Smooth Dancers while others become Latin Dancers. Technique is very important to develop continuity of movement. This standard is the beginning of the showy and flashy dancing to be used mainly on the ballroom floor. A Silver dancer is definitely noticed on a crowded floor.

Gold
Our Gold Standard is for the Stars! Strictly a standard for the hobby dancer or the person who wants to do exhibitions. Its intricate patterns are only to be used when both people really know what they are doing. Choreography, styling, technique and showmanship are necessities in this standard. This cannot be used on a crowded dance floor. The smoothness and control make this a beautiful standard to sit and watch. You had better be prepared to work, if this is your standard, but you will truly be regarded as an outstanding dancer able to excel in any dance there is.

Getting Started

arrowhead — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:38:53 +0000

If you are looking to start having the time of your life, then click on CONTACT US, and fill out the form to receive a COMPLIMENTARY ORIENTATION LESSON! We will let you try us out for FREE!

Orientation Lesson
This lesson is how you get started in our studio! It is complimentary for you to see if we are best suited for your dance desires! Simply call and schedule an orientation lesson, in which you’ll be assigned to one of our fabulous teachers, where he/she will really get to know exactly what you’re looking for as far as how good you want to feel the minute you step out on that floor. Then they will teach you a couple of basic elements and do a little bit of dancing, just so they can start evaluating which way you learn best. After gathering all of that information, it is their job to recommend a program that best suits you and your personal needs.

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 also 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.

Practice Parties
These exciting 45-minute social dance parties give you a chance to use your dancing in a “nightclub” atmosphere, allowing you to practice and try out all of the new dance skills that you’ve learned in your private lessons and group classes. You will have fun dancing with instructors and students in a relaxed and comfortable environment. These parties will also prepare you for the “real world!”

Contact Us

arrowhead — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:44:28 +0000

Get Started By Recieving A FREE LESSON!

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