Arthur Murray Dance Studio

I've been taking lesson's now for a little while and everyone has been amazing. My teacher Basia is truly one of the best people you will ever meet. She has been incredibly supportive and uplifting. The rest of the staff is great, they make the atmosphere very fun and welcoming for all.  All of my fellow students that I've met through the group classes have been wonderful. This is a place that is great for going to and having a great time, where you also get to learn to dance and meet amazing people. I've gone many times after long days in the office, feeling a little worn down and had my mood do a 180 after just a few minutes of being out on the floor. more

I hate the whole "contract" issue, but once I made it clear that I really had no desire to compete or progress through very specific programs, they really let it go. I am lucky enough to be able to pay for a lot of lessons at once, but I told them I would watch how many left and just give them my credit card when I was ready to buy another block. They were absolutely wonderful with it and I never heard another word. Furthermore, after a year or so of lessons, I had to stop due to family health issues. Over a year or even two later, they automatically reinstated my "unused" lessons and honored them at old rates. I was impressed. I don't go out dancing other than the dancing I get in private lessons, but my instructors have all been extremely good. I've had three regular instructors and then other lessons with various coaches. I'm consistently impressed by the interest in TEACHING that these men have had. They really watch my movements and try to figure out WHY I make the mistakes I do. They come up with metaphor after metaphor until the right one "clicks" things into place for me. I've never had more patient teachers of anything. I've always had somewhat senior or experienced instructors, but they've always made me look better than I am when dancing, which makes it more fun, which makes me want to do it more, which makes me better at it. Sometimes I really want nothing more than to just go home and have a glass of wine and go to bed after work (not go to dance lessons), but then I'm always glad I did. I really hate having to show off certain steps for others, too, but it's been good for me to just learn to let it go and get over it and enjoy. I needed that. After awhile, they really GOT that I was in this purely for my own enjoyment and they got used to my pace of learning. They've been incredibly flexible and accomodating with my work and family travel needs and I always feel like Norm walking into Cheers. I could not recommend them more. more

There aren't many places you can go and be 100% sure you will be welcomed, have a blast and feel great when you leave, but Arthur Murray is one of them. I went on a whim with a friend and never left! I have been going for lessons, group classes, and practice parties for 18 months and to say the place has changed my life would be an understatement. I've made great friends, learned a ton of different dances and found a new hobby that will last a lifetime. The instructors are friendly, patient and fun. Everyone is truly welcome. The instructors know what they're doing and they are great at adjusting their teaching style for the student and what the student wants. You can ask them to teach you anything from salsa to waltz to swing and even country dancing. You can tell them you are preparing for a special event like a wedding and they will help you choreograph something and learn it, and they'll even help you find the right music. Or you can just go in for lessons and learn general dancing. The dancing is great but the best part is the staff and the people you meet - they have incredibly high standards, they really know how to dance, they are terrific teachers and they are thrilled to be doing something they love and sharing it with people. It is a great environment where the teachers teach and the students get great dance instruction and meeet great people. There's a reason Arthur Murray has been and remains #1 for decades - their method is far and away the best way to learn to dance (and change your life for the better)! You might walk in having never danced before in your life but I swear, if I can learn, anyone can. If you are looking for something fun that will last you the rest of your life, provide a great way to meet people, learn something new and get some exercise from highly professional staff, this is the place for you. Pros: Terrific professional instructors, wonderful welcoming staff, a place where anyone and everyone is truly welcome. Cons: parking is a little challenging more

Here's advise from someone who actually took classes there, DON'T!!! Once you think you get comfortable and get to know your instructor, they'll turn around and go after your wallet. What's worse, they will pressure you to sign a contract and pay for over 60 lessons and DISLIKE YOU if you ever want out. Seriously. I went there for 5 months and everyday I had a lesson the "contract" issue came up. Not only that, but my instructor taught me the same 3 dances 10 lessons straight (same moves over n over) and got offended when I said I wanted to do something new. What did she do? She SCREWED ME when it was time to showoff our 45 second "routine" by NOT REHEARSING BEFOREHAND and CHANGING THE ROUTINE midway of the number, making me look like the WORST DANCER IN THE WORLD in front of the ENTIRE Arthur Murray crowd (Staff and all) and BLAMED ME for messing up. My friend whom I met there was in a situation where his instructor made him feel if he paid more MAYBE she'd go out with him. The owner who ownes all 3 Chicagoland locations "brainwashes" the instructors to be 1 track minded: get money, teach SOME "moves", get em out. For a pro, she's not a good dancer (or cute). Even instructors who wish to be your friend can't because of "rules". DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE "GOOD LOOKING INSTRUCTORS". Plus, they don't enter competitions that are not sanctioned by Arthur Murray nor do they do Pro/Am division (you dancing with your instructor). So, for those who wish to compete w/o a partner, you'll be SOL. Yes, I started here at Arthur Murray all because of those ads on Dancing With the Stars (a la Nick Kosovich who practically owns alot of locations), but I'm SOOOOO glad I left. Just don't go here or ANY national chain dance studio, you can thank me later. Cons: NO KIDS CLASSES!!!, NO PRO/AM Instruction, Instructors won't be your friend (especially if you leave) more