Student Testimonials
On May 25th, 2005 with my wife I walked through the door of an Arthur Murray Dance
Studio for the first time and my life changed forever. At 61 I had never danced
a step in my life but my best friend and life companion suggested that we might
enjoy it so I acquiesced and went to the studio. I was first struck by the lightness
of the music, the pleasant atmosphere and the exceptional warmth of the teachers
and management, so started my sojourn into ballroom dancing with apprehension and
many doubts. The teachers, however, were able to ease my apprehension and assuage
my fears at each step of the way and it wasn’t long until I was caught up in the
excitement of dance.
In November of 2005 we attended a Ballroom Dance Competition (just to watch); I
caught the fever and there was no turning back. On the way home I said to my wife
“we are going to do that – it was exciting”. We doubled our efforts going twice
a week, then in a few months tripled our efforts going three times a week and we
looked forward to leaving work and meeting at the studio for an exhilarating evening
of dance and learning – it was fun. Our weekends were focused on finding places
to dance and our relationship was never closer or more enjoyable. In that first
year we took baby steps and then in early 2007 we secured our own individual instructors
so we could advance faster and begin to compete seriously with our individual instructors.
With a new teacher I began to improve exponentially each new day bringing with it
new things about ballroom dancing and the excitement continued to grow as she steadily
prepared me for competition.
With eight competitions under my belt now I am more excited about dancing than ever.
Yes, I approach each competition with some fear and trepidation but when I step
out on that dance floor my teacher becomes not an instructor but “the wind beneath
my wings” and I feel as though I can soar like an eagle - it is a feeling of incredible
lightness of being and I have never experienced more joy and happiness in my life.
On the physical side, at 64 I have lost 50 lbs and am in better shape and heath
than at any time in my life.
So in the words of the song by LeeAnn Womack, “if you get the chance to sit it out
or dance – DANCE!”
Ladies and Gentlemen, “Shall We Dance”
William Crew