BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA - The Arthur Murray Training weekend has come to an end, the ballroom has been emptied, and the professionals have all returned home. For all in attendance, there were skill upgrades, a chance to connect with peers, and plenty of team spirit.
For a select few, there were some special awards.
Every year, in each region of Arthur Murray, a Dream Team is selected. These are the top rated people in their respective positions within the company. Those selected wear a large, county faire sized ribbon for the weekend, and are invited to speak on a panel in front of their peers to wrap up the training weekend.
This award goes to the top instructor in their first year with the company. In addition to Misty's professionalism and comforting demeanor, she was also one of the top ranking New Student Specialists, rookie or not, in the entire world. She helped many new students reach their dance goals.
This award goes to the instructor who was most successful working with both new, and advanced, students. Sergio's hard work, and ability to motivate students at every level, helped him to achieve this top honor.
This award goes to the teacher responsible for making someone's first steps on the dance floor successful. Keeping with the "first" theme, this is Rob's first time receiving this award. If he continues to excel transforming first time visitors into dancers, then this won't be his last.
Not only was Annaliza the top New Student Counselor in the area, but she also was tops in the World. With her wonderful abilities to connect with new students, and coach them to dancing success, this "studio mom" brought home this distinguished award on behalf of her team.
Twice a year every Arthur Murray Dance Studio has a friendly competition for studio activity. The schools are grouped together based on the size of the student body, and their overall ranking (similar to the Divisions in College athletics). From there, it's a 6 Week pep rally where students earn points and prizes, and the staff and studio work their hardest to bring home awards.
This recent training weekend was the Awards Banquet for the most recent Fall/Winter Festival in 2015. This Festival presented a lot of firsts. For example:
The following teachers from the Arthur Murray Live Group won awards for the Fall/Winter Festival of 2015
| Barbara Chacon - Hayward | Miguel Dominguez - Hayward | Jenny Lynn - Millbrae |
| Alex Coloma - Fremont | Natalia Franchuk - Hayward | Alexis Morales - Walnut Creek |
| Brigette Claure - Livermore | Sergio Garcia - Redwood City | Christina Mullen - San Francisco |
| William Daily - Livermore | CJ Gomez - Millbrae | Richard Myers - Fremont |
| Desiree De La Pena - Fremont | Jace Guerro - Fremont | Melisandra Russell - Livermore |
| Alex Doan - Redwood City | Wendy Lopez - Hayward | Joey Sena - Livermore |
| Amar Singh - Walnut Creek |
The following executives from the Arthur Murray Live Group won top Executive Awards
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The following New Student Specialists were top overall in their category for the group they were competing in.
| Eva Love - San Francisco | Robert Anthony - Millbrae | Kris Michael - Redwood City |
The following Instructors were the top overall in their category for the group they were competing in.
| Chris Rhett - San Francisco | Natalie Kelly - Fremont | Monica Santana - Redwood City |
The following New Student Counselors were the top overall in their category for the group they were competing in.
| Chris Rhett - San Francisco | Jenny Lynn - Millbrae | Annaliza Pena - Redwood City |
The following Supervisors were the top overall in their category for the group they were competing in.
| Alex Doan - Redwood City | Joey Sena - Livermore |
The top Overall Executive in their category in both the new and advanced student categories was
| Joey Sena - Livermore |
The following studios received 2nd place overall in the festival group they were competing in
| Millbrae | Livermore | Walnut Creek |
The following studios received 1st place overall in the festival group they were competing in.
| San Francisco | Fremont | Redwood City |
These are awards for teachers and executives for the entire year based on their success with their students, and participation.
| Alex Doan - Redwood City | Evan Healy - Hayward | Karen Prado - Walnut Creek |
| Annaliza Pena - Redwood City | Jenny Lynn - Millbrae | Madisen O'Laughlin - Walnut Creek |
| CJ Gomez - Millbrae | Joey Sena - Livermore | Marianne Myers - Fremont |
| Richard Myers - Fremont |
Arthur Murray is a worldwide organization. So, its dance schools are broken into smaller regions, known as "Areas". From the Bay Area, through Western Canada, and out to Hawaii makes up Area 6. If you've ever had a chance to see the All Star Finals at the Superama, they'll parade different select members of the worldwide areas.
The training weekend in Burlingame was for the Area 6 professionals.