I'm enjoying the classes and their trainers, especially my own. More importantly there are weekly group practice sessions in the evenings that can enhance the skills. A lot of positive energy from classmates and management. read more

My fiance, father, and I went to Arthur Murray yesterday for lessons on dancing at my imminent wedding. This could have been a disaster for many reasons: 1. I'll repeat, it was my fiance, father, and I. Two men and a woman. One of whom is the father of the woman. All of them ballroom dancing! Together. Awkwardness? Methinks inevitable. 2. How do I put this...I am uncoordinated. Not, like, oh-that's-cute-she-occasionally-stumbles-uncoordinated. Like, back-in-high-school-all-my-dance-teachers-talked-to-me-in-very-simple-sentences-because-they-assumed-I-was-intellectually-handicapped uncoordinated. Or like, as-I-type-this, one-of-my-thumbnails-is-bright-red-and-a-toenail-is-black-because-I-am-constantly-mashing-myself-into-things uncoordinated. 3. So are my father and fiance. ...Imagine my radiant thrill, therefore, to report that all 3 of us successfully learned to foxtrot and rumba last night. Our teacher, Sarah, couldn't have been nicer or more funny. The staff was friendly and engaging. The studios were big and clean. Arthur Murray is an international franchise, meaning that there are some corporate-mandated policies that might rub guests the wrong way. Alarm bells enforce strict limits on 45-minute lessons, and I can tell that there's some pressure on employees to sell dance lesson packages. However, I can't begrudge the individuals who worked with us these quirks, since they're clearly beyond their control. Anyone who can teach me to dance in 90 minutes - after 27 years of total ineptitude - is a hero. read more

I don't know what the 1-star reviewer experienced but it's very surprising. I started going to this studio in January with no experience or dancing background. My instructors, male and female, have always been very friendly and helped me dance away my nerves. This place is not for people who want a lesson once in a while just to be forgotten a few days later and go unused. The group lessons at clubs/bars are good for that. It is a bit pricey but you're getting detailed instruction from professional and talented instructors. I think this is for those who are committed to building their skills from class to class and learn to dance correctly, comfortably and confidently. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, it's just a lot of fun and nice to see results. read more

The instructors are actually very good. *BUT* (and this is a BIGGIE); IF you'd rather not be cornered (I mean literally trapped for 1.5 hours in an office with a tiny, yet frightening & extremely high-pressure salesperson, who will basically tell you that your relationship will DIE without our DAAANCE classes", I'd strongly suggest to skip it. Take your $8,000 (seriously; that's just the very beginning) somewhere else. I got a Groupon package for 4 classes plus 4 groups. After our first, we cut our losses and RAN. I've also noticed that as their reviews get worse, they have magically disappeared. Also, we weren't engaged (at the time) and I was shocked by the number of employees who were downright RUDE ("So WHY do you want to DANCE if not for your WEDDING?!!", i.e. "What do you mean, there are no rich parents to milk for every penny they have?") Sorry, Arthur Murray, there is now a ring on my finger, but there STILL are no parents to relieve of their nest egg. And yes, we're wildly in love, but we are so NOT going into debt for THIS. Sorry. Not everybody is a sucker just itching to throw away $50,000 on a fictitious "Fairy Tale Day" that's really a stressfest & a mountain of debt that later on is worth... what? Some of us just want to love our partner, have a rockin' MARRIAGE and yeah, DAAAANCE a little too. Just not here, not like this. Oh, I gave them 2 stars because they are truly awesome dancers. And passionate. So if you're independently wealthy and your soul wants to dance!, go for it!! read more

I LOVED the time that we spent with our Groupon. Whitney is AMAZING and I think that everyone should be able to take lessons with her. We have one more group and practice session and that is where the 4.15 stars comes in and not a full 5. It is quite pricey for the 6 lesson package, so we are in the process of deliberating as to whether or not we can afford it as we just got back from Greece yesterday and will be headed to Belgium in later summer months. And I didn't feel that they were pushy, but I just know that the cost probably will scare away most people. Awesome dance ambiance though. read more

We took a few lessons here with Jimmy, and it was awesome! We learned some new steps, and it seems like they have an organized program to make sure people learn and feel comfortable. Definitely worth checking out. They also have lots of new students specials that don't seem to be posted on their website, so it might be worth calling in about that. read more

Do you love being berated by pretentious, know-it-all snobs? Then this is YOUR place! You'd think that using a groupon deal they would do everything to rope you in to purchase one of their overly priced dance packages. Definitely not the case. As soon as my soon-to-be wife and I walked in the door we were continuously the target of all jokes and ostracized for our lack of dance experience. You'd think they would have exceptional service to keep us coming back for more. Very disappointing. Phil was the only redeeming part of this entire experience. Cool guy, nice and encouraging, and all the women were less-than-cordial. Unless your a dance expert, stay FAR AWAY from this facility. I wish I could get a 50 dollar refund on that groupon. read more

I think you have a mix in regards to the caliber of instructors at this studio. There are some more junior instructors that just aren't as knowledgeable and survive via a 'train the trainer' approach from a more senior person right before their next class. There are also a couple of instructors who in my opinion seem to be pretty knowledgeable and good teachers as well. You pay the same for both, so if you care about this you may want to screen your instructor with a few questions about a particular dance during the group dances. Be warned also that there is definitely a 'hard sell' associated with this studio. I spent more personal time after the lessons than I would have liked with the instructor trying to sell me more. I really could not see the value in additional post groupon lessons. Although I think the dance lessons are a good idea and I needed them for my upcoming wedding, these in particular are not at a reasonable price point compared to the rest of the market and I am hard pressed to believe that they're more expensive because they're 'better'. I think its more likely due to the fact that Arthur Murray Chevy Chase is a franchise with associated overhead costs, and it is also located on an expensive piece of real estate on Wisconsin Ave between Cartier and Louis Vuitton. read more

The instruction: great! The studio: great! The pressure to sign up for an expensive package: ummm.... I really love everything about the studio but the prices. read more

I must respond to the person who said they are pretentious and snobs. My husband & I have been taking classes there for over 2 years & have NEVER seen anyone made fun of. On the contrary, the teachers are all kind, encouraging and enthusiastic about whatever progress we make. It is expensive but if you want to learn to dance or improve your dancing this is a fabulous place. The camraderie among & support of fellow students is an added bonus. Bottom line: we've become better dancers and have great fun doing it. read more

5 stars for the instruction quality and the staff, only gave 4 because it is fairly expensive, and I wish there were more options than the "packages" for each level. We've been going to this Arthur Murray location for about 5 months now, and really enjoy it. We started with a Groupon ($20) for 2 private lessons and 2 groups, and decided to spring for the "beginners" set of 10 classes. Our instructor is Lisa, and she's absolutely fantastic. All the instructors are great dancers, and are enthusiastic, courteous, and helpful teachers. Yes, it's expensive, but these are private lessons. Due to the cost we probably won't continue beyond the "set" that we're nearing the end of, but we've really learned a lot more than I could have ever expected and we've enjoyed every minute. They will try to sell you on buying more lessons, but it's just the reality of trying to run a business - this is a big company and they have their corporate policies that the employees must enforce. Remember the instructors are people too, just trying to make a living. read more

The dance studio is really welcoming and their teachers are so friendly, patient and very very knowledgeable. Johnny was a great teacher, I learned a lot from him in a short period of time. It's also a great place to meet new people, their group lessons make sure everyone mixes and everyone has someone to dance with. It's not a cheap hobby, but if you take advantage of the group classes and their very flexible payment plans, it's easy to spread the cost out, even for people budget-strapped like me. read more

When you walk through the studio of Arthur Murray in Chevy Chase you think oh wow, all of my fantasies have come true. Sorry to say it is anything but a fairy tail. With every instructor it is a different personality, but you quickly see the passion leave their eyes after just 30 minutes with you. The facts are like this, if you want to learn proper classical dances from 100 years+ go right ahead but better be prepared to spend your children's college fund. For the pricing of not only the lessons(That are pressured right out of the gate that you will literally DIE without them in your life). To the *EVENTS* that you are forced and called constantly about that you SHOULD be always apart of. With that being said, it's a market scam, every moment they spoke of money, or how to drag students in and keep their credit card on file so they could extort you at anytime, the meetings consisted of dragging people whom have LIVES to events they didn't belong or made them uncomfortable. Everyone wears a mask in this studio they will be cordial to a point but the second you leave you will become the laughing stock or the butt of most jokes, or they will talk about how to get as much money out of you. With a overly pushy sales manager who will shove down your throat how much you need everything and ALL their lessons for as low as 9 hundred dollars. They do not respect their military veterans at all and have a distinct thing against them and will openly make you feel un-comfortable the second you walk in. Overall I would say if you want to learn to passionately dance and really give your all and have fun without breaking your bank this is not the place for you! read more

My then fiancée and I purchased a Groupon deal for a package of dance lessons at Arthur Murray in Chevy Chase. We wanted to practice for our first dance at our wedding, especially since I am not nearly as good a dancer as she is. We had come up with a basic dance to go along with our song, but we were open to a second opinion from a professional dance instructor. Our instructor, Karina, liked the basic concept but wanted to jazz it up a bit, so she helped choreograph a dance that was a little more fun and natural. Karina was nothing but kind, patient, and encouraging throughout the process, which spanned several lessons, and even allowed us to practice our dance in front of the other students so as to help ease our nerves. I am proud to say that our first dance ended up being amazing and was one of the highlights of our special day. Thank you, Karina, and everyone at Arthur Murray! read more