The Medal Ball can be a mystery.
This article will unlock, demystify, and fast track you to this upcoming, and all future, events of this kind.... provided that you learn these 15 things.
Don't Attend Medal Ball Until You Know These 15 Things
1. It's a Graduation Party
Karate dojos have belt ceremonies. Music schools have recitals. Arthur Murray Dance Studios have the Medal Ball, and it's one part ceremony, three parts dance party.
2. There are Two Per year
The Arthur Murray Live studios celebrate the Medal Ball twice a year - in February and August.
3. It has a Theme
Every great party has a theme. Our Medal Ball in February is a Rock-theme ("The Heavy Medal Ball") and our Medal Ball in August has a unique theme every year - like Grease (pictured above).
4. There are Two Parts
The actual graduation will take place in your local studio with a visiting Arthur Murray consultant finalizing your transition from level to level. From there, all of the Arthur Murray Live studios join together at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City for the Graduation Party.
5. Guests are Encouraged
This event is a perfect opportunity to invite your friends, family, or co-workers to watch. Even if they've never danced, or stepped foot in a dance studio, this is a great event for your inner circle to see your progress and lend their support.
6. There Will be Professional Exhibitions
The instructors will perform a Level Demonstration. This is a showcase of the Medalist System, and they'll be performing the Rumba and Tango at the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.
7. Brand New Students Can Participate
A Newcomer graduation is a stepping stone. Not only does it give a student some valuable feedback from a renowned Arthur Murray consultant, it also gives each person a first hand account of what the process is like. The Newcomer criteria is basic, but the experience is invaluable.
8. There will be Special Student Performances
An Honor Dance is a special performance done by students with their teachers once they graduate from an entire standard in the medalist system - Bronze, Silver, or Gold. The performance can be anything they've chosen, and over the years there have been some very memorable routines.
9. It's All About Your Team
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a team to take a student from one dance standard to another. One of the most incredible moments, that can sometimes go overlooked, is the awards presentation following the Honor Dance. Each and every teacher that took part in that student's achievement join to celebrate the milestone achievement.
10. Don't Get Sold Out!
This event sells out every time. This upcoming Medal Ball may set a new attendance record, and that means adding in a table or two.
11. In Case You Missed It - There's a Formation
The Flash Formation has become a rock solid, Arthur Murray Bay Area tradition.
This is now part of the featured entertainment at the event. What happens is each school is given the same piece of music, and all the participating studios assemble a group of students to create a Formation (a group dance routine).
The Winning studio receives the Flash Formation Trophy which has passed to the winning school over the last several years and resides in a prominent position, with the winning school's name on a plaque, at the front desk for all to admire. This creates a friendly, and spirited, rivalry.
12. The Next Song
Immediately following the announcement of the Flash Formation winner, the song being used for the next Flash Formation is announced. This gives the formation group a chance to begin their strategy to creating something fun and exciting for the next Flash Formation competition.
13. New Plans
It would be a shame if your teacher stopped thinking about your dance future the moment you graduated. For the record, they won't. So after the Medal Ball, your teacher will explain any new and exciting things they have planned for your dancing. Fortunately, every Arthur Murray program links from previous levels seamlessly, so you'll never have to worry about whether a new level is appropriate or not.
14. Outside Perspective
The visiting Arthur Murray consultant will cover the feedback from your graduation, as well as look over your new program plans, during a scheduled critique with you and your instructors. This will allow them to offer their perspective, ideas, or endorsement of what you've been working on, and where you are going next.
Read more about visiting consultant, Bobby Gonzalez15. What's Next?
You've graduated, you've done a flash formation, and met with a consultant giving you the green light on all of your new plans. Now's the time to tear into your new level, new projects, and your next event. The District Showcase. It's the perfect way to jump start any new plans you may have, and build your dance confidence by leaps and bounds.
Final Thought
Your dance journey will hit some bumps, will challenge your mental and physical skills, push you to new areas of your social skills, improve your posture, fitness, and happiness, but it should never be boring.
Like ever.
Your dance brain needs a steady stream of interesting information, creative delivery, and some type of step by step challenge to keep it from thinking about things like spreadsheets for work, or mind numbing mobile phone games.
The Medal Ball keeps your dance journey on track. It's a recharge station, a checkpoint. It's the safety deposit box in a spy movie with detailed instructions, a few passports, and a dossier that shows that your new identity has gone up a level.
Are you ready? We think you are.
