2017 Arthur Murray All Star Spotlight: Area 3
An Arthur Murray Professional is so much more than just a great dancer.
They are teachers who are able to make complicated patterns and techniques fun and simple to learn; they are studio hosts and hostesses who offer excellent customer service to their students on a daily basis; and they are ambassadors representing a top-notch ballroom dance company that has been teaching the world to dance for more than a century.
So it only makes sense that not all of our competitions are strictly for the dance floor.
A prime example: Arthur Murray International's world-wide All Star Competition, a competition that puts staff members into in-studio scenarios to see who handles the day-to-day operations of a ballroom dance studio with the most grace, confidence, and excellence.
Here's how it works:
Arthur Murray Dance Centers are split into 9 Areas world-wide. First, staff members must win their division at the in-studio level, then they move on to Districts, and finally, the creme de la creme go on to be named the top in their Area.
Arthur Murray International flies the Area Winners to Las Vegas, and puts them up at the Bellagio Hotel so that they can compete in the world-wide All Star Championships!
Recently, Area 3 hosted their All Star testing and Arthur Murray Live was there to chat with the winners.
TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:
Sarah Myrick from Arthur Murray Clearwater
AML: How long have you been with Arthur Murray?
SARAH: I've been with Arthur Murray a little over a year. I started with the Arthur's Interns program through my high school in spring of 2016 and was hired as an Administrative Assistant / Instructor at the end of the summer. The Internship has changed my life. I'm so glad to be a part of the Arthur Murray Family.
AML: Are you nervous to go to Vegas?
SARAH: A little bit. It will only be my third time on an airplane. My first plane ride was to go to Arthur Murray International Training Seminar in New Jersey. It's exciting how much traveling I'm getting to take part in because I'm with Arthur Murray.
AML: What has been the best part about being with Arthur Murray?
SARAH: Like I said, the travel is exciting, but better than that is the people I've met, both staff and students.
TOP SPECIALIST:
Mandi Conner from Arthur Murray Orlando
AML: How long have you been with Arthur Murray?
MANDI: It's been just over a year now.
AML: What are you most looking forward to now that you've won the Area 3 All Stars?
MANDI: In the world-wide testing we will be testing as one team, and that's what I'm looking most forward to. It's going to be fun to work with staff from other studios and learn from each other.
AML: Tell us something great about your job.
MANDI: I love working with the students and meeting new people from different walks of life. I love that dancing brings us all together, and we are able to share in the joy that dancing brings.
TOP COUNSELOR:
Caleb Casteel from Arthur Murray Clermont
AML: How long have you been with Arthur Murray?
CALEB: I've been with Arthur Murray for about three years now.
AML: Is this your first time to win All Stars in your Area and to be flown to Vegas?
CALEB: No, I'm proud to say that I also went last year in the Specialist Division.
AML: We happen to know that you were named the MVP of All Stars 2016. Congratulations, that is quite an accomplishment. Are you hoping to have a repeat in 2017?
CALEB: I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind. That was such an honor, and it would be awesome if I could repeat it again this year.
AML: What's something you're looking forward to in Las Vegas this year?
CALEB: The Arthur Murray Organization is full of great people; I enjoy being able to go to world-wide events to build more relationships within the organization.
TOP TEACHER:
Andy Bradfield from Arthur Murray Orlando
AML: How long have you been with Arthur Murray?
ANDY: It's been two years now that I've been with Arthur Murray.
AML: You're a quite a dancer for only two years, did you dance before joining Arthur Murray?
ANDY: I did. I used to dance up in the Jacksonville area, and many of my coaches and mentors were part of the Arthur Murray Organization.
AML: What is the best thing about being a part of Arthur Murray?
ANDY: Looking at the big picture of how we change everyone's life that we touch. It's so rewarding.
AML: We know that you represented Area 3 in Las Vegas last year. Congratulations on making it a second year in a row. What are some of your goals for this year's competition?
ANDY: Last year Area 3 scored higher than ever before. I am hoping that we can continue that upward trend and show the world just how strong we are.
TOP SUPERVISOR:
Juliane Arnold from Arthur Murray Orlando
AML: How long have you been with Arthur Murray?
JULIANE: I've been with Arthur Murray for six years now.
AML: How do you feel about being an Area 3 All Star for 2017?
JULIANE: I finally made it! It's my first time to All Stars, and I'm hoping to make my franchisee, Kimberley Carroll, very proud.
AML: What is the best part of the work you do at Arthur Murray?
JULIANE: The best part is making a difference in the students' lives. That's the most rewarding and exciting part of what we do.
TOP ROOKIE:
Lina Pena from Arthur Murray Clermont
AML: Being a Rookie competitor means that you have been working in ballroom dancing for less than a year. Have you almost completed your first year with Arthur Murray?
LINA: Yes, I am getting close to the one year mark.
AML: How do you feel about making it to Vegas?
LINA: I'm so nervous! But also excited. I'm excited that it is a team trip and that we will be working together as a team. This is a great group from Area 3.
AML: What's the best thing about working for Arthur Murray?
LINA: Well I love to dance, and it's amazing to have a job where I get to dance. I am also grateful for all the knowledge I have gained from working with so many great dancers. And, another cool thing, is that I get to share my knowledge, and change people's lives through dance.
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