The 2017 Arthur Murray All Star Spotlight: Oscar David
It wasn't that long ago that he was making a triumphant comeback.
Just a few short years ago, Oscar David was competing as a teacher, won the Most Valuable Player award, and was part of the winning team from Area 6. All of that, after winning as a rookie, and not being a part of the finals in Las Vegas.
Now the MVP is back, two years later, in a new position, and looking to follow the same script.
What is the AM All Star Competition?
The Arthur Murray All Star Competition is a skills competition for every level of professional within each location around the world. The goal is to grow, develop, and reveal the professionals that demonstrate the best customer service, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. The competition begins in each studio and winners advance to small region, or District, competitions. From there the District winners advance to the large region, or Area, competition. Finally, the Area winners advance to the World Championships in Las Vegas where each Area team tests and one team is pronounced the winner.
More importantly, the real winners are the students of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios as these tests, and accompanying training, help to deliver better communication, teamwork, problem solving, and confidence from every member of the staff.
AML: First off, congratulations on moving on to the finals in Las Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?
OD: I laughed, I cried, I lost all control of my body.... Hahaha just kidding! I was extremely honored considering how good the other competitors are, and I had to do a double-take before I went up, just to make sure it wasn't just me visualizing it and that I had actually won.
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?
OD: I was nervous, especially since this was the first time I was competing as a supervisor. I wasn't completely sure what to expect, but once it started, I felt better as it went on.
AML: What kind of last minute did you do prepare? Was there a pep talk? Did you do yoga in the hallway? Give us the scoop!
OD: I tried to take my mind off of the idea of this being a competition. That way I wasn't allowing myself to overthink the situation and I was able to rely and react much more on my instincts and my training.
That, and "the robot" ... It calms me down.
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
OD: It has given me a big push and motivation to develop my communication and teaching skills, which are just as important in this company as our ability to be able to dance well.
AML: What's you All Star backstory?
OD: My All Star journey started bittersweet with an extreme high AND low my rookie year. I won the semi-final my first time competing, and was ecstatic; until I found out there was no spot on the team in the Finals for a rookie at the time. I had to hear about our area team winning in Vegas without me. It took a couple of years of getting close, learning from my experiences along the way, before I was able to get back to the Finals in Vegas and actually play a part our area team winning in 2015. Now I'm back again, competing in a different category, which is very exciting all over again.
AML: Having been on the winning team before, does that help you in any way this year? If so, how?
OD: I think there's definitely an advantage to having won before, and I'm not the only one on the team with Finals experience either. The Finals is a team format, being able to work cohesively as a team is crucial at this stage. So for myself and other members of this team to have made it this far before, it gives our team some great insight on how we can be victorious again. Strength in Numbers!
AML: Who are some people who helped you get to this point?
OD: My franchisees, Juan and Cari, are huge in encouraging and preparing our entire studio staff for not only this competition, but for being better at what we do every day. My co-workers are always extremely proud and supportive. The students of the studio, whom we get to hone our skills through day in and day out. And lastly, the rest of the competitors that serve as motivation to keep pushing and improving.
AML: Last question, what does this mean to you?
OD: This means a lot, to be able to represent my studio, our area, and to possibly be a part of the first area 3-peat winners in the competition.
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