Over 110 Years of Inspiring Dance Confidence
Welcoming Studios, Certified Instructors, and Time-Tested Programs
For more than a century, Arthur Murray Dance Studios have empowered individuals to discover poise, joy, and social ease on the dance floor. Whether you are stepping onto the floor for the first time or returning after years away, our studio environment is built to be comfortable and encouraging. With certified instructors and tailored lessons across the globe, Arthur Murray provides an approachable way to learn Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Salsa, and social dancing.
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The Beginnings of a Global Dance Movement
From Manhattan Ballrooms to Nationwide Innovation
Born Moses Teichman in 1895, Arthur Murray discovered his love for dance on the bustling streets of New York City. By 1912, he was instructing students at the famous Grand Palace ballroom. Always an innovator, Murray organized the world’s first "radio dance" in 1920—broadcasting live music over the airwaves so listeners could practice steps in their own living rooms.
In 1925, he established his flagship dance studio in Manhattan. It was the spark for what would become one of America’s most historic and enduring studio networks. It was during this pioneering era that Arthur met Kathryn Kohnfelder, an accomplished student whose warmth and vision matched his own. Together, their partnership reshaped social dance culture across North America.
Pioneering Mail-Order Steps & Franchising
Revolutionizing Dance Instruction for Millions
Arthur and Kathryn transformed how dance was taught by creating iconic step-by-step footprint diagrams for mail-order home lessons. The overwhelming popularity of this method created demand for physical locations, leading the couple to launch franchising in 1938—establishing one of America's earliest franchise business models.
Even during the economic challenges of the Great Depression, Arthur Murray studios flourished by offering affordable social connection and relief. Popular routines like the “Lambeth Walk” and “The Big Apple” brought communities together and solidified the studio's national influence.
The Golden Era of Television
"The Arthur Murray Party" Takes Living Rooms by Storm
In 1950, Arthur and Kathryn debuted The Arthur Murray Party on national television. The variety show broadcast live dance lessons, lighthearted contests, and high-profile celebrity guests directly into American households. With Kathryn serving as the lively host and Arthur guiding step-by-step instruction, the show demystified ballroom dancing for a prime-time audience.
Kathryn’s sign-off phrase—“Put a little fun in your life, try dancing!”—became a nationally recognized invitation. Airing across major networks until 1960, the show featured icons like Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, and Milton Berle, laying the cultural foundation for modern dance entertainment like Dancing with the Stars.
A Legacy Built for the Future
Carrying the Vision Forward in Richmond and Beyond
As the decades progressed, Arthur and Kathryn entrusted their studio system to new leadership. Arthur passed away in 1991, and Kathryn followed in 1999, but their founding belief—that dancing has the power to transform lives—remains the heart of our organization.
In late 2024, Arthur Murray International Inc. entered a new chapter under the leadership of CEO Gary Edwards, a former World 10-Dance Champion who has coached global icons and royalty alike. Today, with over 300 locations across 22 countries, Arthur Murray Dance Studios continue to honor the founders' legacy. Here at Arthur Murray Richmond, we proudly carry that tradition forward for our local Virginia community.
As Kathryn Murray famously said: “The hardest step you’ll ever learn is the first one through our door.”
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