The Arthur Murray All Star Spotlight: Alex Coloma
The best things in life are sometimes random, chance encounters that seem to change everything. Like a pebble landing in a quiet pond, or making the casual decision to attend a street fair, which turns into a dance lesson, which ripples into a teaching job, and which eventually turns into Alex Coloma advancing to the semi-final round of the Arthur Murray All Star competition.
All started by a small ripple to the status quo. 
AML: What's your Arthur Murray Story?
AC: . My Arthur Murray Story started when I came across the studio for the first time by accident. I was attending the Hayward Street Party and stumbled on one one of their stalls.
I took a discovery program at the Hayward studio, learning Salsa from Marianne. Little did I know, a couple years later, I'd be given an opportunity to work for Richard and her. I was curious about dancing but I found my self fascinated with the idea of helping a new business start. And from there the story begins.
AML:What was it like to find out that you made it to the Semi-Finals in Portland?
AC: I was surprised. I felt confident going into the simulations but I knew that there were great teachers in our district, so I wasn't expecting much. It was a good feeling, and I couldn't do it without the training and support of AM Fremont. A big thank you to my team there.
AML: How did you react when you got the news? Did you freak out, stuff like that?
AC: I might have exclaimed my surprise with a light, quick fist pump but, I think I played it pretty cool.
AML: How many All Stars have you participated in?
AC: This is my third All Star competition.
AML: How has the process improved you as a Professional?
AC: I think the process, especially each and every training facet, is such an important part in learning professionalism. I feel that we owe it to ourselves and our students to understand what it is we do and that can be achieved through training and development, and the All Star Competition really brings that out.
AML: OK, make your shameless case for why you should advance to the World All Star Finals in Las Vegas
AC: I just want to say thanks for the love and support, and I'm honored to represent AM Fremont, and Area 6. Good luck, and have fun.
Final Thought
In any great story, something needs to happen to the hero to change the status quo. Whether it is a dramatic change, challenge, or problem - it's the thing that gets the story moving. In Alex's case, it was that casual visit to the street festival, the serendipitous meeting with his future boss, and the third All Star competition that progressed his journey to this point.
Regardless of what happens next, it's safe to say that Alex's career is rippling in the right direction.
