Essentials
Arthur Murray Guilford
Everything You Need to Know
Before You Dance Through Our Door
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You made the call. You took the leap. Whether dancing has been on your bucket list for years or the idea popped into your head yesterday and you just went for it, that first step is the one that matters most —
and you already took it.So now what? Go through this list and let's get you ready.
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Starting something new is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. You might be wondering: What will I actually have to dance? Do I need special clothes? What if I have two left feet?
Breathe. We've got you covered. Here's everything you need — and everything you need to know — to walk in feeling confident and ready for the ride.
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Your "Night Out" Shoes
Yes, there are official dance shoes — and yes, they're fabulous — but for your first lesson, just bring whatever you'd wear for a fun night out. Chances are, you already own the perfect pair. (That said, if you're looking for an excuse to go shoe shopping... consider this your permission slip.)
Your "Night Out" Outfit
No leotards required. No spandex. No tutus. (We promise.) The dancing you'll be learning is the kind that actually shows up in real life — weddings, date nights, concerts, spontaneous kitchen dance parties. So dress like yourself, headed out for a great evening.
A Bottle of Water
You might work up a sweat — and that's a good thing. Come prepared! (And if you forget, your teacher has you covered.)
Your Calendar
This might be the most important item on the list. You've made a decision to do something amazing for yourself. Honor it. Students who commit to showing up consistently are always the ones who look back and say it was one of the best things they ever did. We want that to be you.
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A Warm Welcome
The moment you walk in, our receptionist will greet you, get you settled, and guide you through a quick registration. First-day nerves? Totally normal. We see them all the time — and they usually disappear within the first five minutes.
A Quick Chat with our New Student Director
Before you hit the floor, you'll meet our New Student Director, who will ask a few questions about what you're hoping to get out of dancing, walk you through how we teach, and then — the moment you've been waiting for — introduce you to your instructor.
The "Oh Wow, I'm Actually Doing This" Moment
Your instructor's one goal for your first lesson? Show you that learning to dance is fun, fast, and completely within your reach. You'll learn the core building blocks that connect every dance style — and it'll start clicking faster than you think.
Moving to Music--For Real
Here it comes: the music turns on, your body starts moving, and somewhere in the middle of it all... the doubts just fade. This is the moment people talk about. It's real, and it's coming for you.
The Only "Requirement": An Open Mind
For many students, this is the first time in their lives they've truly moved to music with confidence. That feeling? Unforgettable. So shake off the self-consciousness as best you can, trust the process, and let yourself have fun with it.
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Now you know exactly what to bring, what to expect, and what's waiting for you on the other side of that door.
All that's left is to show up.
New Students
What to expect on your first lesson
After answering a few questions about your goals, aspirations, and the look and feel you’d like to have, you'll be guided through a few basics by one of our highly-trained instructors.
You'll start to learn to dance on your very first lesson, and leave with a plan of action for the next few sessions.
At Arthur Murray, we've developed a fool-proof method to help you learn to dance the quickest way possible and achieve your goals.
Arthur Murray Quote
The hardest step you'll ever learn is the first one through our door.