Our Story

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Arthur Murray began teaching dance in New York in 1912. By the early 1920s, he was selling mail-order dance lessons using footprint diagrams and hosted the first “radio dance,” letting people learn and practice from home.

In 1925, Arthur opened his first studio with his wife Kathryn in Manhattan, NY. The first official Arthur Murray franchise opened in 1938 in Minneapolis, MN, setting the stage for nationwide growth.

By 1946, there were more than 70 Arthur Murray studios. The couple’s TV show The Arthur Murray Party brought ballroom dancing to millions of homes, making the brand a household name and expanding interest in social dance across America.

After Arthur and Kathryn retired in the 1960s, the company continued to grow, spreading worldwide. Studios adapted to new dance trends—from disco to swing revivals—while maintaining the signature Arthur Murray teaching method.

Today, Arthur Murray Dance Studios operate in more than 300 locations across 20-plus countries, teaching ballroom, Latin, swing, and social dancing to students of all ages and levels.

The story of Arthur Murray is still being written—by every student who walks through our doors. Whether you’re dancing for fun, fitness, or a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, you’re part of a century-long tradition of joy, confidence, and connection that continues to grow with every step.