The Ballroom Dance Legend Arthur Murray

The Ballroom Dance Legend Arthur Murray

Even at first glance, when one looks upon the trademark moniker that highlights a silhouette of a man and woman dancing, one is swept away into a world of stylish and graceful romantic dance moves that are mirrored by the long standing career of Arthur Murray. What began as a means to earn a little extra money on the side became a franchise that has hundreds of studios across the country bearing his name.

The dance legend was born to Austrian immigrants in lower Manhattan under the name Moses Teichman but it wasn’t until the World War 1when he decided to change his name to Arthur Murray in order to keep teaching classes without making Jewish patrons uncomfortable due to his German Heritage and German sounding name. He attended college in Georgia and continued to work his way through school by teaching dance lessons on the side.

His emergence as a leader in ballroom dance came after the late 1900’s when the jazz era really got into swing and a host of new dances came out like the chicken scratch that people were eager to learn.  In addition to being able to dance well, he established himself as an early marketer by taking advantage of the mail order business to promote and sell his classes via that avenue.  He also worked o organize dances and get groups together to promote ballroom.

In 1925 Arthur married his dancing partner Kathryn and they ended up having twin girls, and opening up a dance studio of their own when the mail order business declined in popularity.  One of the signature styles he created was the use of the footprint to help define and show simple dance steps to students everywhere. His last idea was to franchise his dance techniques and so he trained dance teachers to be able to teach for the Satler Hotel, and then take their moves and expand them to teach at the major hotel chains. Murray was able to keep a percentage of the funds earned and as a result ended up franchising his brand and his name in the process. He died at the age of 95, and is to this day known as the most successful dance instructor of all time.

My name is Jeremy Guzman, and I too have created a special niche within the ballroom venue by creating a mobile program that will come to your home or office or meet you at a studio of your choice in the Las Vegas area at your convenience.  Visit BallroomDanceSpot.com and see how Arthur Murray inspired me to think outside the box and try to reach as many students as possible to show them just how fabulous ballroom dancing can be!