to show83,
I am impressed to know that you have been to the inside workings of every am studio worldwide, and know everything about every one of them, considering that there are well over 200 of them. You must be really busy!!!!
I was not going to post because I feel like that is in a sense fueling the fire for bashing, but you have obviously NEVER been to the AM studio where I have worked (by the way, I have been doing ballroom for the last 12 years, since I was young) and I am highly qualified to teach and have trained (and still do) with the best of the best. I am going to ask you nicely not to make blanket statements about AM. I have had students that were with us for years, but then went through nasty divorces or lost thier job for whatever reason and could no longer afford lessons. Do you know what we did? We let them have a free lesson every week until they were back on thier feet again, and everyone is welcome to our studio no matterif they can afford lessons at the moment or not. Do you know why? Because WE LOVE OUR STUDENTS. And we really do. They are not just lessons to us, they are our family and we love to see them in our studio everynight. If you would like to visit us at our location please feel free to contact me and I can get you directions so that you can see what it is REALLY like at our AM studio instead of bashing us when you do not even know us or what we are about.

Show 83 is right on! AM is full of teachers that are barely one step ahead of the students they charge those ridiculous rates to LOL. I am a 5 time US Champion and have taught for Fred Astaire Studios, Murrays and Independents heck i have owned 2 schools. A.M. is getting the money because people are naive...it's as simple as that.
There are a few legitimate teachers in their organizations, generally one per studio(usually the owner haha) but face it people will pay, so they will ask. Show 83 is RIGHT ON especially about the competitions! They don't want you to see the Dancesport Competitions because Murrays teachers would get embarrased bigtime. I charge $70 per hour as an independent and as i said am a Pro champion. I get calls ALL the time from people disenchanted with AM. When i tell them i charge $700 for 10 lessons they sign up and are elated! I taught a student who had been taking lessons with AM's best for 3 years...She had NO technique and was supposed to be Silver level and couldn't dance worth a dime. She saw the student i was teaching right before her and said WOW how long has she been taking? She's really good. I said (NO JOKING HERE) this is her 3rd lesson!!! She was like i wasted my money didn't i? I said past is past let's REALLY learn how to dance.

David Conner www.connerballroomdance.com

wow, it's is so sad that you don't understand what most people actually want..and the fact that they could care less about YOUR achievements. The best champions I ever met, never had to brag. Most people want to dance socially and have fun, doesn't mean you don't learn technique. And you actually charge more than AM. I really wonder what you actually know about teaching or the franchises at all. AM charges between 105 and 135 for THREE lessons including groups and parties. And even if you don't charge equally, then the cost is still between 40 and 60 dollars per private lesson. So take your pompous bashing and go back to pretending you understand the world.

The bashing is really unprofessional and from what is being posted, comes mostly from people who have had funky experiences in the franchise world. I am and have been an AM student for years. I had the opportunity to visit a friend who had a FADS, not an AM studio, in his town. The FADS people welcomed me and we had a wonderful time learning from each other. There are indy studios I frequent as well, not because they are better or worse or because they have former champion dude/dudette, rather because it is fun to interact with other DANCERS! I personally fail to understand why it has to be "us" or "them" when both the franchises and the indies offer those of us who love what we do, a place to do what we love. Why is there a competition here? It's like that stupid and old arguement that any musician who isn't classically trained isn't a musician at all. Of course they are, they just have a different way of getting the music out. This is art that also happens to be a popular business at the moment. Stop the griping already.

Actually Arthur Murray is known for it's quality and integrity which is why they tend to be "inclusive" they wish to protect thier clients not shelter them. Anyone can learn to dance but not everyone can learn to teach so many new instructors have service industry and teachin back grounds but even they must go through an intensive 6 week training course just to be considered for a teaching position. Arthur Murray does not claim to teach competetors but social dancers. And the basics are at the fore front of every lesson. If you want to save money than use it in an organization that cares about each and every individual, and knows what they are talking about.

I looked at your website.........it is very nicely done. I'm sure you have a great studio and teachers.......only one thing bothers me.......I believe that any individual in a high profile position, as a representative of his business (in any given profession) needs to use discretion when passing judgement or criticizing another party in a public forum. It just doesn't seem professional and detracts from the credibility of whole profession. I am a Fred Astaire student......not Aurthur Murray......either way.....this ugly bashing leaves a bad feeling with me.

My last posting on this subject was a response to a posting by connerballroomdance

Hi,

Like you, I took my Newcomers lesson at Arthur Murray and after I finished my 6 private lessons at $745, they presented the Medalist program at $4600+ for 30 private lessons (with group lessons & practice session). Someone recommended to take your basic at AM as they have a nice basic foundation with individual style, character of each dance. But if you want to get more routine without paying that much money look for other dance studio.I am with a dance studio at Bronze II/III and I only paid $189 for 16 "group lessons",private is $73 for each PV, but the routines I learned from AM were also covered by the group lesson in this studio. Now I enjoy dancing without thinking of how much I am paying. But I am grateful for AM's style as I think I move better than other students who didn't have their foundation from AM. By the way the people who go in this studio are much younger and more guys. I always don't run out of partners. Good luck!

Well, I guess if you are a slow learner and have a lot of money to burn then stay with them. But I think the average doesn't need that much hand holding.

Find you a good independent teacher who is more concerned with your developement as a danceer than they are your pocket book.