Julian Ferguson Moves to the Arthur Murray All-Star Finals

Julian Ferguson Advances to the 2017 Arthur Murray All-Star Championships

Name:  Julian Ferguson

Studio:  San Miguel

All Star History: "this is my first time ever competing"

Role:  Rookie

What is the AM All Star Competition? 

The Arthur Murray All-Stars 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 into the finals in Last Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?

JF: When the announcement was first made that I won, I was ecstatic. 

My franchisee and I were standing next to each other we both just started screaming and jumping up and down.

I was so excited that I even forgot to stand in dance position for the group shot, demonstrating that I really was the rookie in the group.  

AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?

JF: going to the semi finals was interesting, leading up to fall forum and our time in Texas, I wasn't nervous at all. Not until the morning of.  Then I was super nervous.  I had the jitters, butterflies, whatever you want to call it. 

The most nerve wracking part of the whole morning was sitting waiting to go into the mocks.  But the experience was so amazing and so beneficial it made me fall in love with Arthur Murray even more. 

It felt so good to see how I was a part of the whole company.  I really felt connected.  

AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?

JF: There definitely was a last minute pep talk in the La Quinta lobby while my franchisee and I got breakfast.  But one thing that I think helped me perform better in the scenarios as that I tried to break the ice as much as possible in the room where all the contestants sat. 

You could feel the nerves of everyone in the room.  And even though everyone is friends, we are in that moment competing against one another.  So I did my best to make everybody laugh and get to know everyone. 

That got me out of my own head and made me feel more relaxed.     

AML: How has this process made you a better professional?

JF:  This process has made me a better professional in a couple of ways.  The first is that all the all-star techniques are fantastic and produce amazing results with students. 

The second way that it has helped me is by just reaffirming that there is a huge amount of potential for me in this business.  If I really set my mind to it and work hard I could go really far.  Having that inspiration has made me devote myself even more.  

AML: What's you All-Star backstory? If you can give a little synopsis of the highs and lows of this competition over the years.

JF: My story is that this is my first time ever competing.  It has been all highs so far.  I went up to Texas with the goal to make a splash and make myself known. 

Thanks to all the help I got from the people around me, I think I was able to do that. 

The entire affair has just been absolutely amazing.  

AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?

JF: If the team wins it all this year, it would be insane.  I have very little experience in this world and it would be so surreal to be able to share in this experience with my fellow team mates. 

AML: Who are some people that helped you get to this point? 

JF: There are many people that have helped me get to this point.  First and foremost, my franchisee Christie Olvera.  she has done so much for me the whole time I have been in her studio and she is the main person that I have to thank.  Secondly, I have to thank Christopher Panasuk of the Montreal studio.  He has really inspired me as a male dance role model and has had a huge impact on the professional I am today.  The other people I have to thank are the rest of the staff in the San Miguel studio, Dana, Ari, and Violeta.  They are amazing communicators and did so much to prepare me for the semi finals.  

AML: Last question: what does this mean to you? What makes it special?

JF: For me, this is really exciting because it represents a real tangible future.  So far, my Arthur Murray experience has been a fun job.  But as I progress more and more in this business it becomes clear that this could be my life.  And I love that.  It's amazing that things are happening and doors are opening. 

This is a perfect eample of a door opening to me. I am just so excited for the future. 

Never miss another Arthur Murray Live article! Become a subscriber today.