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Arthur Murray Crows Nest Wins Top Studio Award for Australasia 2019

Each year, Arthur Murray International recognises the Top Arthur Murray Dance Studios in each area all over the world. The Crows Nest Studio is part of the Australasia area (Area X), which consists of a total of 14 Studios and over 80 teachers.

We’re excited to announce that the Arthur Murray Crows Nest Dance Studio was presented the Top Studio Award for Australasia 2019 - making this the 10th consecutive year for winning the award!!

Along with these outstanding results, the Studio was also awarded a number of Top Teacher Awards, including:

  • Top Teachers: Ilia Bazlov, Simon Crovini, Lucia Sauchelli & Amanda Roseti

  • Top Studio Executive: Joanne Middonte (Franchisee)

  • Top Studio Supervisor: Joanne Middonte (Franchisee)

  • Top Studio Counsellor: Joanne Middonte (Franchisee)

There are currently 280 Arthur Murray Dance Studios located all around the world and on a global level, Arthur Murray Crows Nest is ranked the 8th busiest Dance Studio and the 19th most successful Dance Studio…. in the entire world!!!

We owe these phenomenal results to our hard-working, loyal and talented teachers and our passionate and dedicated students who so willingly entrust us with their dance journey.

Special congratulations to Chris Michaels & Joanne Middonte, Franchisees of the Crows Nest Studio.

Dancing and Covid-19: Our Safety Assurance

Covid-19 & Arthur Murray Crows Nest

Update: 11 October 2021

We’re excited to announce the Crows Nest Dance Studio is open as of October 11th to our fully vaccinated Students, Teachers & Dance Community!! As part of the NSW Roadmap, masks are currently mandatory in all indoor settings until December 1st. To book in a free lesson, please click here.

covid-safe

The NSW Government allowed contact sports – including dancing – to resume on July 1st, 2020.

Our primary focus is to ensure the safety & well-being of our dance family so we can all continue to do what we love… dancing. We’re following all restrictions and guidelines set out by the NSW State Government, including:

  • We are registered as a COVID Safe business.

  • We have a COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshal on duty during business hours, responsible for ensuring all aspects of our COVID-19 Safety Plan are being maintained.

  • Everyone gets temperature checked on arrival.

  • Hand sanitiser is available throughout the Studio and Students & Teachers are asked to satinise their hands before, after & during lessons.

  • All surfaces in the Studio are regularly cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

  • All Students & Teachers are asked to stay home if unwell.

No matter your age or skill level, dancing is something we can all do to improve our physical and mental well-being. At Arthur Murray Crows Nest, we’ve been teaching dancing for over 50 years and we’ve witnessed the joy and happiness it brings to Students from all walks of life.

There’s no better time than now to take your first step today… book in for a free lesson and dance your way out of isolation!

Arthur Murray Crows Nest Wins Top Studio at Australasian Dance-O-Rama 2019

For the very first time in Arthur Murray history, Arthur Murray International hosted its first Dance-O-Rama right in our own backyard.

Held at Sydney’s magnificent Shangri-La Hotel, the spectacular dance event featured students from all corners of the globe, including Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, USA and of course Australia! Students competed in their standard of dance in a total of 39 different dance genres and styles.

Arthur Murray Crows Nest was once again victorious, being awarded the Top Studio for the event, along with an astronomical total of 20 Top Student Awards! We are continually inspired and amazed by our dedicated and loyal student base and our hard-working and talented teachers!

Special congratulations to Chris Michaels & Joanne Middonte, Franchisees of the Crows Nest Studio.

Australasian Dance-O-Rama photos

Arthur Murray Crows Nest Wins Top Studio at Ciao Amore Prague 2019

The Arthur Murray Crows Nest Studio was recently crowned Top Studio at the 2019 Ciao Amore Dance-O-Rama, held in Prague in July this year.

This prestigious competition consisted over 16,000 entries & heats, 400 competitors and 10 countries!! Along with this award, Crows Nest also won two Top Teachers Awards and three Top Student Awards!

Congratulations to Chris Michaels and Joanne Middonte and all of their staff and students who represented Team Crows Nest.

Check out all the fun we had!

Daniele Scalise and Bianca Tonizzo: Coaching Sessions at Arthur Murray Crows Nest

Daniele Scalise & Bianca Tonizzo: Coaching Sessions at Arthur Murray Crows Nest

Chris Michaels & Arthur Murray Crows Nest had the pleasure of hosting Arthur Murray World Champions, Daniele Scalise & Bianca Tonizzo, for an exclusive full day of coaching for students & staff.

No matter what your level is, coaching sessions are a way to gain insight and focus for your dancing – an outside set of eyes to watch you and your teacher dance and give you expert tips on how you can improve. Having just one coaching session can lay the groundwork for the next 6 to 12 months of your dancing, lighting a fire under your feet and putting you on a path to take your performance and dance goals to the next level!

Daniele & Bianca are visiting Australia to compete at the 2019 Australasian Dance-O-Rama, hosted by Arthur Murray International and we wish them all the very best!

Daniele Scalise

  • Former Franchisee of Lecce/Lamezia

  • Arthur Murray Area 8 Dance Director

  • Arthur Murray Int. Consultant, Judge & Examiner

  • Arthur Murray 5 time World Champion

  • WDC 10 Dance World Champion

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daniele-scalise-arthur-murray-crows-nest.jpg

Bianca Tonizzo

  • Arthur Murray World Champion

  • 6 times undefeated Australian Champion

  • 7 times Australian Representative for the World Championships in Ballroom, Latin, 10 Dance & Show Dance

  • Champion in Latin & 10 Dance in Sydney

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bianca-tonizzo-arthur-murray-crows-nest.jpg

Watch Daniele & Bianca in action!

Ciao Amore Dance-O-Rama, Prague 2019

Dancers Horoscope: Aries

Dancers Horoscope: Aries

Aries

While it’s the end of the solar year for you (until March 20th), dear Aries, and this generally signals a period in which you are in the relative backwoods and possibly dealing with endings in your life, there is nevertheless much to be excited about in March. Uranus gets you all riled up and itching to make radical changes. You’re building and strengthening your courage. The 10th is strong for romance and friendship. You can charm the birds out of the trees on the 16 - 17th, and you’ll be filled with wonderful (and possibly marketable) ideas. The 21st brings the gumption to jump-start the changes you’ve only been dreaming about. Life is certainly looking up!

The Arthur Murray take

It’s time to look at new beginnings in your dancing! Start planning ahead. If you’re in General Variety, start getting excited for Bronze… If you’re in Associate Bronze, look forward to Full Bronze and so an and so forth! The fact that you’re learning here and improving your dancing is making your confidence soar. For every lesson, every group, and every social, you’re improving on some level! Maybe it’s time to take it to the next level… Get out there and dance!

Dancer Horoscope: Taurus

Dancer Horoscope: Taurus

Taurus

April begins with strong energy for social activity, dear Taurus, and as it progresses, you begin to enjoy more time away from demanding or competitive situations. You’re coming across especially well on the job, and your reputation is improving considerably in April. You’re in high demand this month, with several people vying for your attention.

The Arthur Murray take

Well, that’s pretty self explanatory… It’s a perfect time for social dancing! Time to relax and ease some of the stresses from work or chores… Time to let loose! It sounds like this is the month that several new opportunities will take place both on and off the dance floor! Look forward to a lot of fun with your dancing in and out of the Studio!

Joanne Middonte Catch-Up in Northside Newspaper

Joanne Middonte Catch-Up in Northside Newspaper

An article featuring Arthur Murray Crows Nest owners Joanne Middonte & Chris Michaels in The Northside Newspapers Sydney in February 2010.

Who was Arthur Murray?

The Arthur Murray School of Dance was started in 1912 by an American chap who was a shy man. He enrolled in lessons to help bring him out of his shell and it turned out he was good! He liked to say, if you can walk, you can dance. He used targeted mailouts to send people a dance step, once a month, by mail. This was an era when affluent people had their own ballrooms and people came to know who Arthur Murray was and invited him to teach them privately in his home. There are now over 350 Arthur Murray Dance Studios worldwide and 10 in Australia, including the school at Crows Nest.

What kind of dances do you teach?

Anything that involves another person. We do encourage people to take individual lessons because the dance steps are different for a man and a woman, but it’s social dancing and we teach both fast and slow rhythm.

What’s your story? How did you come to be running a dance school?

I’ve danced all my life but when I came to the end of my schooling I believed it was not something I could make a business of, or earn a living from. I had plans to study to become a lawyer but before I started my studies I felt like I needed to work and do something else for a year. I saw an advertisement for dance teachers and I went in telling myself it was for a year – but I’d found my niche. I’ve been at the studio for 20 years and owned it for 15.

Has there been a resurgence in social dancing?

Dance has never gone out of fashion, but we’ve had a lot of people asking whether we’ve been busy since shows like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ have been on television. Really it started with ‘Dancing With The Stars’.

What if my fella won’t come?

You know, there’s nothing more masculine than a man who can dance, but we do teach men and women in private lessons and have on offer the group and social opportunities.

Once you’ve learned the moves, where can you show them off?

We’ve got such a full social dance calendar. We host social dancing parties every second Friday night and organise dinner dance outings – the people who come to the school come to know each other and some have organised dances at home, or clubs. It’s very social!

Dancer Horoscope: Gemini

Dancer Horoscope: Gemini

Gemini

This is certainly the time to build greater freedom and independence in your life, but whether a radical break from your current involvements will succeed or not is difficult to say. Also, you may be tempted to drop some of your commitments; this may prove to be an unwise decision.

The Arthur Murray take

Basically, it’s time to push forward in your dancing. If you’ve been thinking about doing that extra group lesson this week, do it! You will most definitely learn something valuable. Any inkling to come into the Studio should not go unnoticed. You will of course, as always, learn to be an independent and free dancer as you practice on your own in the group class!

Dancer Horoscope: Cancer

Dancer Horoscope: Cancer

Cancer

An exciting, vibrant energy is coming into your world this month — look for new people (or a new version of one of your current friends) to inject your life with a new level of risk. They have been taking big gambles lately — and it’s been paying off big-time. If this success serves as an inspiration to you, start taking a few risks yourself and see what happens. Put yourself out there and work the odds — you can be more daring and still be realistic!

The Arthur Murray take

Look around you in the Studio. Look at your friends and acquaintances getting ready for things like routines, DOR, etc… They’re taking big risks in putting themselves out there — maybe for the first time! Maybe it’s time for you to take a risk and put yourself out there too! Talk to your instructors about these events such as Showcase and DOR.

Maybe it’s time you took your dancing to a whole new level and showed people just what you’re made of!

Singin’ In The Rain

Singin’ In The Rain

One of our favourite old time classic musical films! The film came out in 1952, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds and has also been adapted to stage musicals.

The storyline

In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lina’s latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina – well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she’s working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. Will Kathy continue to “aspire”, or will she get the break she deserves?

Take a step back in time and watch the classic dance scene in the rain!

Australian Dance-O-Rama 2011

Australian Dance-O-Rama 2011

It’s about that time, ladies and gentlemen! It’s time to start preparing for our next competitive event!!! As we draw nearer to the September-October dates, the excitement grows thicker in the air and we’re all thrilled to show off our dancing in the Australasian Dance-O-Rama this year!

I’m very excited to announce the dates for the Australasian Dance-o-Rama for 2011. The event will take place at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel, stunningly situated overlooking Sydney Harbour in the historic Rocks District from Thursday September 29 to Sunday October 2.

This event will feature competitors from Australia and around the world, plus you can be sure you will see some amazing floor shows! But wait, there’s more! Not only can you look forward to some amazing competition and dancing but, as always, there will be day trips, romantic and fancy dinners, and all the fun you can have! It is one of the few trips you can take where, once you get to the hotel, everything is taken care of for you… You won’t have to think once…. Unless you’re on the dance floor of course!

Make sure you talk to your teachers and don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Dancer’s Horoscope: Virgo

Dancer’s Horoscope: Virgo

Virgo

This is a time for making long-range plans, seeing the big picture, and thinking about what’s really important to you in the long run. The trivial details and business of day-to-day living does not dominate your attention now. Reading books or articles of an inspirational nature or on subjects of personal growth and development is very fruitful at the moment. This is also an excellent time for business functions, negotiations, and communicating with the world at large.

The Arthur Murray take

It’s time to start setting goals in the Studio! And what better time than now! Set a goal for yourself, whether it be to improve your dancing or get out in front of the crowd and put yourself out there. It will improve your dancing and your confidence.

Watch videos of ballroom dancing to inspire yourself to do better and to learn as much as you can! We, your teachers, want the best for you and we want to see you shine!

Dancer’s Horoscope: Libra

Dancer’s Horoscope: Libra

Libra

Share your wishes with someone close — you’ve got the right kind of social energy to forge a deeper bond if you desire it. You may find that your energy is just right for something better.

The Arthur Murray take

With the next upcoming Showcase, make sure you take advantage of any routines you might want to do! It’s time to take your dancing to the next level with your partner, whether it’s your teacher or intimate partner!

Dancing Through September In History

Dancing Through September In History

In September 1960 after 10 years, The Arthur Murray Television Show, AKA ‘The Arthur Murray Party’, hosted by Arthur & Kathryn Murray, aired its last episode.

Basically a long commercial/dance variety show, a contest was held every week – Whomever could guess the dance that Arthur & Kathryn were doing, would win 2 free dance lessons in the Studio. This show was 1 of only 4 shows that was broadcast on all 4 major television networks during the ‘Golden Age of Television’.

Dancer’s Horoscope: Scorpio

Dancer’s Horoscope: Scorpio

Scorpio

Social events, cultural activities, and entertainment are highly favoured. You feel good and can enjoy yourself. Don’t be too cautious about going out and having a good time… You’ve earned it after last month, which may have taken a bit of a toll on your well-being.

The Arthur Murray take

Sounds like it’s time to get socially active! Make sure you get to the Studio and make the most of the time you can spend with your fellow students. Come to the parties and stay active!