Arthur Murray History
Arthur Murray himself, first started teaching people to dance in 1912 and opened his first studio in 1923 on 43rd Street in New York City. He remains a true pioneer of social dancing.
Arthur Murray wanted to teach the world to dance. His first mail order business involved selling dance lessons using a kinetoscope (a device that exhibited moving images within a box by advancing a film strip). Unfortunately the device wasn't suited to mail order, with many arriving damaged.
His second mail order business involved the now famous, Arthur Murray 'footprints' whereby dancers placed their feet on the floor and followed the various patterns to learn dancing.
In 1925, he launched his third business and began selling dance lessons through the franchise model. He trained instructors at various hotels who went on to give dance lessons themselves.
“If you can walk, we teach you how to dance.”
After World War II, the business experienced rapid growth with the rise of interest in latin dancing. Arthur taught and broadcast in Cuba and regularly went on numerous television shows with his wife, Kathryn Murray.
The couple retired in 1964, but the business continued to grow and expand. In 2012, Arthur Murray celebrated 100 years of teaching the world to dance and today there are over 260 Arthur Murray Dance Studios in 21 countries across the globe.
Arthur Murray Crows Nest
History
The Crows Nest Studio is one of the founding studios for Arthur Murray in Australia. Originally opened in 1968 by the Australasian Area Chairman, Nicholas Romano, the Studio has been teaching the lower and upper North Shore of Sydney how to dance for the last 50 years.
In 1989, Nicholas was in desperate need for talented male dance instructors. He reached out to his nephew and godson, Chris Michaels, who dropped all of his plans to work and train under his uncle. Within 5 years, along with his wife and partner, Joanne Middonte, Chris had taken over operations for the business.
The building has been refurbished since its original opening and it has one of the last standing sprung wooden dance floors, which absorbs impact from the feet to the body, ensuring comfort for our students when learning and dancing. The structure of the Studio is partitioned into several generous areas to allow private lessons to run independently to group lessons.
Chris and Joanne are extremely proud of this iconic dance Studio and that its legacy remains a part of family history.
Location
Suite 104, 10-12 Clarke Street. The Arthur Murray Dance Studio is nestled in the heart of Crows Nest. There is plenty of street parking available and we’re easily accessible via bus or train.
Teaching hours
Monday to Friday: 2pm to 10pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm
Contact us
Any of our friendly teachers can assist you with your first enquiry, call 02 9439 2061.