Arthur Murray Dance Studio

My boyfriend and I purchased a Living Social coupon to this dance studio (2×40 minute lessons, and 1×20 minute lesson) for $ 25.
The first dance lesson was fine. It was actually very nice to have someone patiently teach us the basics for several of the social dances we want to learn… Our instructor was somewhat awkward and sales-​pitchy, which no one really likes, but he was nice and competent enough. The studio itself is nice, if you can get over the in-​your-​face hospitality the moment you enter the door.
The second 40-​minute lesson we had last night is where my main beef with this studio originates. During our entire lesson, our instructor was either a.) Pitching a dance lesson package to us, b.) Asking us pointed personal questions so he could personalize his dance lesson package pitch to us, or c.) Attempting to talk my boyfriend and I into performing in a dance showcase. The instructor also kept slipping in small, degrading comments about my boyfriend’s dancing skills — which is really great, considering dudes never want to take dance lessons in the first place. (For the record, my man was doing just fine!)
The situation got more awkward when 30 minutes into our 40 minute lesson, our instructor stopped the lesson so we could go talk to «Mrs. D» to discuss our «options» going forward. She proceeded to quote some ridiculously priced dance packages to us. This next part I can’ t even believe. Our dance instructor interrupted the sales pitch by recommending that we only sign up for the smaller package. He told us that since we have only been together a few months, the smaller dance package is a smaller commitment, and thus a wiser purchase. He insinuated that he thinks the relationship won’t last long, and that we were more «friends with benefits» than in a committed relationship. Basically, he told us the smaller package would be better for us, because we might break up soon. Now, I actually don’t care what this creep thinks of my relationship, but this is the most idiotic, insulting, and ineffectual sales pitch that I have ever received.
In conclusion, ff you feel like having a mediocre dance lesson with a heavy dose of (insulting) sales pitch on the side, this is the studio for you.

I have been taking lessons here for about a year now and have to say how much fun I have had! I have made life long friends and have learned to dance for real! I have always been a good «dancer» just not in reference to formal dance. I love you guys and thank you so much! I have gotten everything I wanted out of my commitment and you have helped me in ways you will will never know!

So being a trained mambo/​salsa dancer from Chicago and recently relocated to Charlotte, you can understand my excitement when I ran into this studio at the Southern Woman Show this past weekend. My first impression was this elegant woman in a beautiful coral dress doing some basic dance moves with whom I suspected was a student. I approached a woman standing there with flyer’s by the name of Alayna (i got her name from the sad performance), who happened to be the most unfriendliest woman in the world. I asked a few questions regarding the Studio and to all my question it was a brief one word answer… She finally asked if I had taken lessons before, to which I responded, yes. Ive also taught classes and performed in Chicago and was looking to get back to the dancing scene and possibly some basic lessons for my husband, after she finished sizing me up, I cant begin to explain the look of disbelief she gave me, now I understand that because I’m on the heavy side, she might believe that compared to her small frame, I couldn’t possibly dance well… but the least she could have done was try and hide her true feelings… just to be polite … To my surprise they were the next company to perform. So I sat and watched… This is where my rating comes from. While for the most part, it was Student and Instructor performance, my review and rating is NOT based on the student performance.
This is by far the least authentic dance studio I have ever witnessed. I’m not sure where they get Latin from. Their performances seemed like a cheap water down version of dancing with the stars, completely unauthentic.
There was no connection with the performance or the music and needless to say, their partners.
Most of the dancers were off beat, counting music and had no eye contact with the audience, I mean this is all basic 101 knowledge for a performer/​Instructor. It all seemed very mechanical and super rehearsed.
At the end of their performance, I walked back and returned the flyer back to Alayna.
If your looking for dance lessons or truly interested in the art of dancing. Save your money, do a little more research and find a different studio, preferably one that spends less time advertising and more time authenticating and perfecting their craft. :)