Panic before a wedding! Late into the spring of 2016, in anticipating the wedding of my daughter, I was a LITTLE nervous with the scheduled father-bride dance, especially by the very idea of leading a dance in the spotlight! The last time I danced was some 27 years ago when I first met my wife. Here the wedding was set on June 25th in Madison, Wisconsin, and my daughter was in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I'll have no opportunity to practice with her until the eve before the wedding. Challenged and nervous? I can't find words to describe it! Help from Arthur Murray! I was recommended to take a crash course with Arthur Murray by a colleague who took lessons at Arthur Murray two decades ago for his first dance. I sent an inquiry in early May to the Arthur Murray Center in Cambridge, and got a very welcoming response from Kia in less than 24 hours! Kia started with me in a trial lesson on a Foxtrot dance, "Slow, slow, quick quick..." She made the dancing appear so effortless that I could "follow" her on the beats almost right away. She noticed that my feet were responsive, I told her that I swim, I skate and do biking on weekends. She said that helped. Right from the beginning, I felt very encouraged and started to dream that maybe I'm hopeful for the coming wedding dance! The song that my daughter picked was "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. It appeared slow to me (since I had almost no sense what is slow and what is fast with my own steps on the floor!), but the rhythm is in fact fast and is meant for a Viennese Waltz, which I found out shortly after that it is not an effortless kind for beginners. But Kia quickly steered me to the hesitation Waltz steps to slow down the moves so it became workable for me. Kia is so bright and experienced in teaching, and amazingly steady and genuine to instill encouragement and confidence in me of what I was learning! From the very first lesson she showed me a big picture from walking the bride into the center of the floor, stop with an elegant under-arm turn to get ready, then start the basic box pattern of hesitation waltz, later added progressive steps, then quarter turns, under-arm turns, and face-to-face steps, moving patterns around the floor, and eventually to slow down back to the center, end the dance with an elegant under-arm turn, and finally, bow side-by-side with the bride to the audience. I put myself into this picture, and felt very much inspired to learn and want to practice hard to make it happen naturally on the floor - what a way to show the incredible emotion and love in a joyful wedding celebration -- all without a word! Learning to lead a dance As the lessons progressed, I learned the steps, improved on postures and flows, and seemed to be able to follow the music and danced well with Kia (my instructor!) Then Kia dropped me off on the floor to dance with other students on the piece to see how I would perform. Immediately I woke up to the next layer of challenges. First I noticed that obviously I was not quite a lead partner in the piece (Kia was!). To become one, I need to get more familiar with the song (to know it by heart! - Where to start go slow and steady, where to pick up speed, where to switch patterns, when is about to end and prepare to end...), to bring it out naturally by focusing more on the music and the communication with the partner, rather than thinking of the steps and patterns. The second was another obvious one, my coming partner (the bride!) will not be Kia, and if she did not practice with me in advance, we'll ran into mistakes! A week before the wedding I called my daughter and convinced her to also take a few short dance lessons in Michigan with the song she selected so she would get a feel of what to expect. Luckily, she did before we group at the wedding on that weekend! Results and Feedback "Hi Kia! It was such a great experience that everyone was totally unprepared to see how we danced! I saw cheers and tears in the audience, heard comment of "the best father-bride dancing I've seen in weddings I've attended". There were people asking if the whole piece was choreographed, and most importantly, I got favorable review from Li (my wife!), who is known for being critical of everything I do...!!! I'm so proud that I discovered my potential in this piece that drove me crazy days leading up to the wedding... you've witnessed my sweat before my departure! I want to thank you Kia and Arthur Murray (your colleagues, Emma, Steve and the wonderfully supportive students, for the great instructions and encouragements you've given to me -- What a difference you've made for me, given my very late start! You all are the very best! Hong" read more

My husband and I became interested in ballroom dancing after taking a few lessons in preparation for our wedding (at another excellent dance studio located out-of-state). After our wedding, we moved up to the Boston area and found that Arthur Murray Cambridge was conveniently located at Alewife in Cambridge. We called the studio one evening, and ended up coming in that very night for a free introductory lesson with Kia. Fast forward to a year-and-a-half later, and we remain as excited as that first night for our weekly lessons with Kia. One of the best parts of the studio is the teachers, who are all very friendly and helpful. We really like working with Kia, who is so knowledgeable and a great teacher, we've learned so much in such a short time with her. Kia and the teachers also do a great job with choreographed routines, my husband and I don't do too much of those, but we've seen some of the other dancers' routines and they always look great! Another great thing is all the free group classes that the studio offers to students, so if you are curious, and are eager to learn about different dances, there are plenty of opportunities. In any given week, depends on your level, there is probably any where between 2-6 group classes you can go to. On top of that there is also a weekly dance party where you can put the new moves you learned into practice. Both are great ways to get to know your fellow dancers as well! We used to live very close to the studio, so some times we just go and practice at the studio, and Kia is happy to have us use the space free of charge, which is greatly appreciated. All in all, we could not be happier that we found Kia and the Arthur Murray Cambridge dance studio! read more

I will begin with a disclaimer: I have never danced at any other ballroom dance studio, so my review is not valuable as a comparison. But I have no desire to look at other studios because this place is amazing. The atmosphere is friendly, happy, and makes completely inexperienced dancers like myself and my fiancé feel free to develop our skill without shame. There is also a strong sense of community and I constantly feel encouraged to try new things. Our instructor, Lance, is amazing. Unless you just really don't like happy people, in which case Arthur Murray Cambridge is not for you. I cannot recommend this place enough for beginners. We have been dancing for a couple of months now, and we already feel comfortable putting ourselves out there on a dance floor. There are frequent events and socials that you can attend to get practice and learn new moves, and make some new friends. They are located just a couple minute walk from Alewife, so it is easy to access by public transit. Personally, I just drop by after work on my way home, and my fiancé and I spend most of our evenings dancing now. It's easy to start, and the financial commitment scales slowly so you can be sure you're really into it before really committing to the full price. It's not cheap, but it is entirely worth it. read more

Amazing! I just joined 4 months ago and I've been going on average 3-4 times a week: 1 private lesson, 1 or 2 group classes, and the practice party on Thursday nights. Instant joy! The instructors are everything I would want in a teacher: they are friendly and playful, so learning is always fun, and at the same time they are often able to give me a tip in one sentence that completely changes my dancing! I love to move but I also tend to approach things intellectually. I like to understand "what's going on." Instead of being dismissive ("get out of your head"), Lance and Dave always answer my questions thoughtfully and actually seem delighted by my curiosity. I am a teacher/coach myself, and I actually spend my free time thinking about all the ways in which the Arthur Murray teachers demonstrate great teaching. I love the curriculum too. It breaks everything down into very small steps, with lots of milestones along the way, so you always feel like you're making progress. Finally - as many of these reviewers have said - the studio has a wonderful community! At Thursday parties, everyone dances with everyone, so you get lots of practice dancing with people at different levels. And people are so friendly. I've made new friends, and I always feel welcome. read more

I had wanted to try ballroom dancing for a long time. While I danced growing up, it had been years since any formal training and watching shows like DWTS and SYTYCD was making me eager to try something new. I wanted something fun that would be a nice change from my days in a stressful work environment. I had researched various studios, not really sure what I was looking for. What caught my eye about Arthur Murray Cambridge were the positive reviews. And they were not just positive; they were ALL amazing 5 star reviews! Since the first class was free, I figured, why not? I am so happy that I decided to give this a try. The instructors/staff are incredible! They could not be nicer and are so helpful and fun! I love them! They want to know your dance goals and help you achieve them. With a combination of private sessions, group classes, and practice parties, I feel like I have already learned so much and improved in such a short time. In addition to the instructors, the community of fellow dancers at Arthur Murray Cambridge is so welcoming and supportive. I look forward to dancing each day and leave with a smile on my face. If anyone is considering trying ballroom dancing, I highly recommend trying Arthur Murray Cambridge! read more

I've been dancing at Arthur Murray Cambridge for just over a month, and couldn't be happier with my overall experience. The three instructors--Kia, Christian, and Kate--are all incredibly talented, professional, and wonderful to work with. They're always cheerful and friendly, and clearly love what they do. Each lesson has been fun, challenging, and left me wanting more. The program is comprised of both private lessons with a single instructor, and group lessons with rotating leadership. This works well by giving students consistency on a personal level, and exposure to different partners and teaching approaches in a group setting. Because one can attend unlimited group classes, there's ample opportunity to reinforce skills already learned, practice with a variety of partners at different levels, and enjoy the atmosphere of social dancing. The studio itself is a beautiful space, bright and clean and nicely appointed. A great sound system and two full walls of mirrors complete the package, making it almost impossible to stand on the sidelines. Their free introductory lesson is a perfect opportunity to try something new, see how it fits, and enjoy your turn on the floor! read more

I have been taking dance classes at Arthur Murray Cambridge since October 2015. I had been wanting to learn to dance and saw an ad for a free introductory lesson. I called the studio and signed up for the lesson. I had so much fun that I signed up for a dance package and have been taking lessons ever since. I have found all the instructors to be friendly, welcoming, and encouraging in their teaching style. The Arthur Murray instruction method is effective in teaching you the dance steps to several dances, and soon you begin to feel a sense of accomplishment when you realize how far you have progressed in a relatively short time. The cost of private lessons includes group lessons and Thursday night practice parties, where students of all levels can practice their dancing skills. The group lessons and practice parties are also a good opportunity to get to know fellow students. The camaraderie and support that exists among the students makes the Arthur Murray experience even more enjoyable. read more

Arthur Murray Cambridge offers dance lessons of high quality and value for the entire range of social and aspirational dancers. People preparing for a wedding or a special event will find it a perfect venue. So will people who want a longer term hobby or engagement with learning to dance. My wife and I started taking lessons as a Christmas present to each other, and it is a lot of fun. It is a huge highlight to the week. Create your own program. Take advantage of a nice range of free classes in small group and party formats. Take private lessons for the fun of it or prepare for showcases and competitions. AMC combines a proven, stepwise format that has you feeling like you are dancing from the first lesson with a standout group of instructors. The instructors are national level performers in their own right, as well as elite teachers. The combination of dance, a superb curriculum, and the best teachers you will find makes for a fantastic pastime for couples and singles alike. read more

One of the teachers and franchisee at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Cambridge, Ms Kia Kenney.... she was my first teacher! I met her in a chance social event and was intrigued by the thought of taking lessons. Well, now it is my passion. I ballroom dance about 3-5 times per week. At AM you can take lessons, attend group lessons and get involved in a social world of like great, minded people. At every lesson I learn, she meets me with a smile and gives just the right encouragement... to make it all fun. I sometimes wonder what I'd be doing in my life now if I'd not found ballroom dancing. My children are grown and living in LA. I also want to say that I have gone elsewhere, but the quality of the teachers, the teaching and the entire experience at AM is second to none. You feel so welcome every time. Also, their system of teaching is proven. They teach in a tiered method, growing your dancing at the right time and speed. They know what they are doing and it shows. Love it. read more

I HIGHLY recommend this for date night! My husband and I found this place when we went to the Summer Shack for dinner and have have been hooked ever since! We've taken group lessons at other venues in the past, but they've never really interested my husband--which meant I never got to dance. At Arthur Murray Cambridge you do have to sign up for private lessons but they are SO much more enjoyable and rewarding, and the instructors really work to make the lessons fun as well as tailoring them personally--my husband found he is a salsa lover and we've worked with our instructors to build up our repertoire together. Another plus is that group lessons and practice parties are included, as well as some outrageously rocking parties which I thought we'd never get to do after having kids. The best part is my husband and I get to work on something fun together just the two of us. Can't recommend this place enough! You will never have another boring date night again!!!! read more

They say the best dancer is the one having the most fun. Come here and you will soon be the best dancer for you will immediately have much fun. The quality of instruction is high as is the quality of instructors Kia, Christian, Brianna, Lance, Tristan, Dave-E, Mad-E, Ann-E -- oops almost forgot -- Rubin-E. They are patient, considerate and always improving their craft. But beware The Stick. Even the admins here -- Doreen (Step) and Alex (Miss Step) are awesome. Where else can you say that? You can receive instruction in all the social dances at your level and pace and to meet your busy schedule. The studio, bright and cheerful, is conveniently located. Alewife T is nearby. There are many free specialized lessons to refine your dance, a weekly practice party and events throughout the year that will make you more than a student, but a member of a community of intelligent, gracious people...just like yourself. read more

I've never had the courage to learn ballroom dancing till now - I have no sense for rhythm, not to mention my balance - just embarrassing! One day I just decided to walk into the dance center and check it. The best first consultation ever!!! Arthur Murray Cambridge has the best dancing instructors in the whole world: great people, great dancers, but even greater teachers!!! Everybody was really nice and incredibly patient with me! Now I love spending time at the dance center: I am still not good, but I am getting better after every class and I am so proud of myself. Dancing has already a very special part in my heart and it gives me enorm amount of energy in the daily routine. I have no words to thank everybody but most specially my personal instructor Dave for encouraging me! You are amazing! To everybody who concider starting dancing at Arthur Murray Dance Center of Cambridge: Just do it! You will never regret it! read more

Times flies when you are having a good time and when I am dancing at the studio I always have a blast! I can have an awful day at work, and as soon as the friendly faces at Arthur Murray greet me, all my troubles from the day fade away. Not only are the teachers amazing and really know what they are doing; they are warm, fun, friendly, and always up for a good time." Dance has long been a passion of mine, but I never had the joy of taking ballroom lessons until about a year ago. I stepped into the Arthur Murray studio last June skeptical that I could ever move my body like the other dancers I saw in the studio. A year later, with the encouragement of Christian and teachers of Arthur Murray, I have gained the confidence (and skills) to dance solos in the showcases as well as enter my first competition. I love every minute I am at the studio and have recommended dance lessons to all of my friends! read more

My husband and I love learning to dance at Arthur Murray Dance Center of Cambridge. The studio is beautiful. The parking is plentiful. The community around learning to dance is unexpected and interesting. Everyone is so nice! What's more? This really works. Last night at practice, I was dancing a triple swing with my husband--relaxed, comfortable, smiling and laughing, making faces at him. That's 4 months in. I can't wait to see what we'll get after a year! We've learned 7 dances to where we feel comfortable doing them in public together and we've started learning how to social dance (i.e. with people we don't know). It's built confidence and a love of moving I know we'll never lose. It's an amazing date night. Our instructors, Annie and Dave, are amazing! They are welcoming and non-judgmental and keep our learning at the right pace. Love AMDC Cambridge!!! read more

Cliche' to say, but you won't regret this decision. Whether it's been on your bucket list...or you're looking to dazzle the dance floor at an upcoming event, or you've secretly always wanted to test your dance ability... Arthur Murray Cambridge is an ideal studio to meet any and all of your dance interests. Don't delay the call another day ! Call to set up your free introductory lesson and I have a feeling, like me, you'll sign up for a second lesson. This studio is a gem.....owner managed and occupied. The entire staff are 5-star. Each instructor is unique and yet universally fun, kind, skilled, and professional. Taking dance lessons is just the beginning, there are group classes, parties, social, performances and more. You can dip your foot in an inch or a mile. Enjoy your first class ! read more

This studio is absolutely wonderful. I didn't know what to expect when I came in because my dance experience was rather sparse. However, I found that the staff are extremely friendly, welcoming, helpful, and talented as dancers, and above all they know how to teach. Steps are broken down clearly for beginners while advanced students get just the training they need to polish their skills. The way these instructors teach, the dances are easy to learn and pleasant to practice. The general atmosphere among both instructors and students is positive and fun. There are plenty of dance parties held for both practice and enjoyment. People of all types and all ages come in to shake off their day and do something delightful. Many endorphins are released. read more

I have been dancing with the Arthur Murray Family for 6 1/2 years. I started at the Boston Studio, which is fabulous but decided to try the Cambridge Studio as I work in Cambridge. I knew many of the staff and know what a great team they are;Kia, Christian, Nancy, Doreen, and my instructor, Rubin. After all of these years, Rubin has taught me many new techniques. The Cambridge studio gives me a different outlook on my dancing. It is bright, cheery and you always feel welcome when you arrive and leave. I have a very stressful job and my dancing is not only my passion and my exercise but when I leave the studio I have left my stress behind and enjoyed my time dancing. read more

My fiancé and I started taking dance lessons here, 3 months or so ago to create a dance for our first dance for our wedding!!! Which is inching closer as I'm typing this! We've absolutely loved our experience here!! Our teacher, Tiffany is a complete doll!! Not only did she teach us how to dance, but taught us how to dance with each other. She's an awesome teacher, all the teachers are, and they definitely make you feel warm and welcomed. The atmosphere is comfortable, visually appealing, and easy to find. I would highly recommend takings lessons here, and highly recommend Tiffany! She will definitely get you moving, AND you'll have a blast doing it! read more

I love dancing at Arthur Murray Cambridge. I've been taking lessons for about two years now and I am really into it. I've seen a bunch of people take lessons for weddings and it seems to be a great spot to get ready for your first dance. I however, dance competitively and it has been perfect for pursuing what has really become my passion. My teacher Kia is a phenomenal dancer and an even better teacher. Her ability to structure a unique program for me and the way she conveys concepts are second to none. I've seen steady improvement and even won top student in my division at worlds this past year. I highly recommend dancing at AM Cambridge. read more