I'm not sure what studio you went to, but the Arthur Murray I've been too was awesome!!! I got all my lessons there, I went to Fred Astaire and took a couple of lessons but I didn't like it. And like other's have said, it is a business and they are out to make money. I honestly loved them, but they are very over priced.

My husband and myself have recently started dancing at AM. And we have had a wonderful expirience! Yes, it is costly, but all the other Dance studio's around this area are just as much or more. We origanly started out only wanting to dance for social reasons, but have recently decided to start training for our 1st compitition.
All of our instrustors are wonderful, and are very knowlegeable.
They are also registered with the BBB. Which we have found a handful of AM studio's are. Maybe you should dig a little deeper into finding out about a studio before hand?
I can't say anything bad about our studio though!
I don't think you should place all AM's in the same basket!

How do dance studios differ from plastic surgeons in this regard? Or how about the cosmetics industry? Dancing is so good for you so the investment is worthwhile. When you look at the revenue an Arthur Murray studio takes in (which is public record)and consider the number of staff and studio upkeep, they are not rolling in dough. Far from it.

If anyone konws any site to search dance school, studio, teachers in Seattle area?

Arthur Murray does not stink. I have been taking lessons there for awhile. The way people describe their studios is very different than mine. I have reliable awesome instructors that love and are amazing at what they are doing. Every single one knows that they are doing. They never hold me back in training..in fact since I am a quick learner they helped me learn bronze level steps in my social program to prepare me since I was a little more advanced..at no extra charge. They are awesome!! :) Just depends on which studio I guess..it is not all Arthur Murray's.. depends on the owner

I decided to try out a free lesson at AM in South Jersey and it was a great decision. My husband and I signed up for the into package and now are signed up for the year at Bronze Level 1. Our instructor makes us feel comfortable and works on helping us to overcome any obstacles. Everyone has been professional towards us so far. I am having fun with my husband learning to dance. Yes, it is pricey, yes I could smell the sales pitch from a mile away, but they deliver and we are having fun. And everyone who works there seems to genuinely love to dance. Also, they bring in dance professionals on occasion to teach the higher level classes which I think is cool. As long as I feel I am getting something for the money I spend, I will continue to go to AM. Good job AM!

Jessica - in the end all that matters is that you are happy and feel you are getting a return on your investment. AM and FADS are not perfect places, but then again, neither does having the term "Independent" in front of your studio name guarantee perfection.

I worked for AM almost 30 years ago. I left only because of the sales pressure (I was not comfortable doing that). But the students there were happy and danced well. I remember thinking, WOW, as soon as the students realize there are independent studios out there that are half price and don't pressure, they will come flying. But they never did; they stayed until that studio closed and still never went anywhere else. But that was a strong AM studio and was giving a return on students' investments. Remember, former Champions David & Carrie Kloss, Perry & Diane Gingerich, even Bill Sparks and Shirley Johnson and the one and only Sam Sodano, all at one time belonged to AM.

That said, there are a lot of studios out there (AM, FADS, and independent) who do take advantage of people, and offer beginner teachers (who are only one step ahead of their students)for more money than others pay to have champion-level instructors. It's just smart shopping, in this day and economy, to really make certain of where your discretionary funds go, and that you always get what you want for your money.

So as long as you are happy and feel you are getting what you want, then you are in the right place for you :) Best of luck and happy dancing :)

So true

I know that this conversation comes up every couple of weeks on this message board and nobody's mind is going to change either way by reading the 150 posts on this page but I just want to say that I do think it is a shame that SOME AM studios have lousy underprepared instructors. But, when you get a GREAT instructor, AM has some benefits:
Getting together with other studios for shows, parties, and competitions
Access to the best coaches in the US
A really nice family-like feeling with all of your fellow dancers

One need not work for a chain to get access to the best coaches. They are quite accessible to serious students, professional competitors, and teachers seeking to refine their knowledge.