Types of Programs and Medalist Standards of the Arthur Murray Dance Schools

INTRODUCTORY PROGRAM:

This program is designed as an introduction to three or four of the popular social dances. Its purpose is to develop your movement and timing, to help you to recognize different music, and to teach you basic lead and follow.

GENERAL BASIC:

This program is designed to develop four basic dances to the level of moving around the floor with a partner to make the dance more enjoyable to your partner. It will strengthen your lead/follow and give confidence to get on the floor without the fear of not knowing what to do.

GENERAL VARIETY:

This is the program for the impatient dancer. It will develop free movement around the floor, much more variety, a little technique, footwork, and your first introduction to styling to make your partner comfortable, giving you more assurance that you look good on the floor. This four dance program is very popular with the person that wants to get on the floor this Friday night.

BRONZE:

Bronze is the full Social Standard. It will develop timing and technique in all nine Social Dances. The styling will make you look comfortable while on the floor. It will strenghten your lead and following to the point that no matter who your partner is, you will look poised and very good in ten steps plus variations in each of the dances. It will give you all the confidence you will ever need on the dance floor. Dancing at this level will be yours to keep as you will never forget the elements of each dance. It is the fun point in dancing when you don't have to think about anything but enjoying your partner and having fun yourself. You will be checked out in each phase by an Arthur Murray Examiner. WOW!! YOU ARE NOW A FULL-FLEDGED DANCER!!!!

SILVER:

Silver is a dance standard with a high degree of styling. Flashy moves make this standard stand out on the dance floor. Continuity of movement makes a couple glide around the dance floor, with many changes in direction. Styling makes this standard develop an individual character - some people become Smooth Dancers while others become Rhythm Dancers. Technique is very important to develop continuity of movement. This standard is the beginning of the showy and flashy dancing to be used mainly on the ballroom floor. A Silver dancer is definitely noticed on a crowded floor.

GOLD:

Our Gold Standard is for the Stars! Strictly a standard for the hobby dancer or the person who wants to do exhibitions. Its intricate patterns are only to be used when both people really know what they are doing. Choreography, styling, technique and showmanship are necessities in this standard. This standard cannot be used on a crowded dance floor. The smoothness and control make this a beautiful standard to sit and watch. You had better be prepared to work, if this is your standard, but you will truly be regarded as an outstanding dancer able to excel in any dance there is.