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.
CH: If you can imagine a kid's face on their very first roller coaster ride, that pretty much sums it up. I've done this competition a few times, but it never gets dull - there are always new challenges and surprises. Coming to Las Vegas to see my extended Arthur Murray family is quite a thrill in itself.
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?
CH: Nervous! Or maybe it was excitement. It's very hard to tell in the moment.
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
CH: There was some last minute "fire rounds" and some warm up simulations for sure. Also, a very heartfelt rendition of 'Go the Distance' from Hercules to get in the zone - works every time.
CH: Being a part of this competition over the years has not only made me a better professional, but a better person too. I've learned how to genuinely connect with people and help them to fight through their fears. All Stars has made me stand up against my own insecurities too of being judged or rejected, and instead shone a light on the greater purpose - changing people's lives through dancing. It's a pretty cool thing to be a part of.
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.
CH: My first year in All Stars I competed as a Rookie, it was a total eye-opener for what Arthur Murray is all about. I've represented Australia several times, and was also a part of the Area 4 All Star team in 2015. Since then, I've been itching to get back in the game and, as this is the first time (how exciting!) Area 10 will be sending a whole team to Las Vegas, I'm super excited to be a part of it.
CH: We're going to give it all we've got and if that leads us to win it all, then my teammates might miss their flights out of Vegas... because I will still be hugging them.
CH: My mentor, Joanne Middonte, has been nothing short of my Arthur Murray Fairy Godmother over the years. She has always gone above and beyond to help me grow. Chris Michaels, who saw potential in me and hired me, I'm forever grateful. Jill DeMarlo, who brought me over to Chicago and made me a part of her amazing team of teachers. There are so many people who I've learned from through Arthur Murray but those were the game changers for me in my career so far.
CH: This is an incredibly special opportunity for me because I'm so proud of the studios and the people in my area. Both Australia and Japan have developed amazing Arthur Murray communities encompassing the same passion for dancing and teaching, but with their own unique cultural qualities.
To have our area represented in the finals feels truly encompassing and proves that Arthur Murray goes above and beyond to make every teacher in the world feel a part of something bigger.
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