Arthur Murray Dance Studio

Reviews 3

KA

kathy havel

I started taking dance lessons at Arthur Murray in Wexford because I was a cruise enthusiast with a group of friends. We would invariably end up in the ballroom, watching cuples who knew how to dance glide around the floor. Tired of sitting on the sideines, a friend and I started taking lessons in preparation for a cruise vacation. Imagine my surprise after our basic introduction to ballroom dancing, people on the cruise were coming up to us saying how much they enjoyed watching US dance. That was more than 10 years ago. I chuckle because we really had such a basic knowledge of dancing yet were able to fit in and look accomplished. That is the beauty of the Arthur Murray system of learning. Much like any sport, you build on the basics--you have to learn to walk befor you can run. We would all love to dance like Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers after a lesson or two, but learning a solid foundation of proper footwork, poise, and steps provides the groundwork on which to build and enables students to take that knowledge and apply it to any dance they choose. Developing the confidence and comfort to step out on the dance floor was my first goal. It continues to be both challenging and rewarding when I master a complicated step or nail a routine I have been preparing, and my instructors work with me to set new goals and constantly work to make me a better dancer. Their expertise, enthusiasm and kindness are evident every day I am at the studio. After our cruise, my partners schedule did not permit him to continue to take dance lessons. I loved it so much I still took lessons, but had a difficult time not having my "security blanket" partner go to the studio parties with me. Mario Cardinali used to meet me in the parking lot and escort me upstairs, and the instructors would make sure I danced the night away. After a while, these other students became friends and no longer was there an issue of being afraid to be the wallflower. Perhaps that is why the Wexford students are so welcomming to newcommers. We all went through that initial terror of trying something different--and want to encourage others and help lessen the anxiety that comes with being the new person. I have heard the criticisms from students who were not happy with their dance programs. Some people just choose to live under a black cloud. I go to the studio to get recharged, laugh, have fun, and lean how to dance. In the years I have been at the studio, I have never been forced to sign a contract I didnt want, participate in a show or event that I didnt want to attend, or go to a competition I didnt eagerly anticipate. Much like any sport, you get out of it what you put into it: I dance because I love it. It is great exercise, it is fun, and it is a way to channel my creative energy since I sit at a desk all day. Is it expensive--sure. But so is golf, gambling, or any other activity I might choose to do. Each person needs to evaluate if the benefits received merit the cost paid. How about the experience of the staff at Arthur Murray? It is obvious that the instructors at Wexford are heads and shoulders above their counterparts at other local studios. Every time I see how our students compare to others, I know I am paying for the best instruction in town. If you had a crystal ball 10 years ago and told me if I spent this amount of money I would develop these friendships, and have these experiences, I would have paid the money without ever taking a dance lesson. The dance lessons are gravy. At the Wexford Arthur Murray, I have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. I have traveled to Blackpool, England, with other students to watch the "Superbowl" of ballroom competitions. I have vacationed with other students, gone to watch other dance competitions like the Ohio Star Ball with people from the studio, and tried my hand at competing a few times. I wouldnt trade any of it. I would encourage anyone who wants to put a little fun in their life to try dancing at the Arthur Murray Wexford studio.

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Anonymous User

My wife and I took lessons for a few years at the Cleveland location, which was owned by the same guy, Mario Cardinali, who owns the Wexford studio. While the quality of the dance instruction is very good, Mr. Cardinali is in my opinion an unethical, if not fraudulent, business man. We prepaid for a bunch of lessons, but the Cleveland studio closed abruptly in January 2011, without notice to the students. Since that time Mr. Cardinalis behavior has been extremely unprofessional and discourteous. We were told that we would receive our money back for the lessons we purchased, but that never happened, even after I and a bunch of other students sued Mr. Cardinali. He refused to waive the arbitration clause in our contract in order to discourage us from going after him. We were also promised that we would be provided with substitute lessons at another Cleveland area studio if we dropped our claim, but again Mr. Cardinali has yet to take any concrete steps to make that happen. Mr. Cardinali drives around a very expensive car and makes a lot of money from his dance studios and other businesses but is continuing to fight tooth-and-nail to avoid reimbursing us a few thousand dollars for lessons we purchased but never received or to provide us with substitute lessons. I would not recommend taking lessons from any studio owned by Mario Cardinali. If you must take lessons at Arthur Murray, I highly recommend that you do not prepay for a substantial number of lessons, since you risk that Mr. Cardinali will break the contract and put up a hard fight to prevent you from getting your money back.

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Anne Moore

I have been a student and fan of the Wexford Arthur Murray Studio ever since we walked through their doors 10+ years ago. The entire Pittsburgh franchise group is amazing! Within a very short amount of time, my husband and I found ourselves competing in an international competition in NYC, and we actually medaled! (All are proudly displayed on our den wall!) My true reason for considering dance was that generally speaking I consider myself pretty much of a klutz. Years later I must admit that now when I trip over my own feet I fall gracefully. :-) Seriously though, I would recommend dance to ANYONE looking for a challenge either physically, mentally or both. I now have the confidence to get on any dance floor knowing that I probably dance better than most of the other people there (unless of course the other people are my instructors!). My husband and I ALWAYS get compliments from onlookers and yes, it is an amazing ego boost. You need not have a partner to take lessons. In addition to your weekly private lessons there is a wide selection of group lessons that offer an opportunity for you to learn how to dance with different people (everyone has their own quirks), and learn new dance steps! The instructors and staff at Arthur Murray are just amazing and we consider them to be family. Check them out - I promise you will be happy with the results!

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