The History of Arthur Murray Dance Studios
A Tradition of Teaching People to Dance
The Arthur Murray story is one of innovation, persistence, and a belief that anyone can learn to dance. From humble beginnings in New York City, Arthur Murray developed new ways to make dance instruction more approachable and accessible to people from all walks of life.
Today, Arthur Murray Dance Studios continue that tradition by helping students discover the enjoyment, confidence, and connection that come from learning to dance.
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The Beginnings of a Global Dance Movement
From New York City to a New Approach to Dance Instruction
Born Moses Teichman in 1895 in Galicia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Arthur Murray came to America with his mother in 1897 and eventually settled in Manhattan.
He developed a passion for dance and began teaching ballroom dancing. During World War I, he changed his surname from Teichman to Murray amid widespread anti-German sentiment in the United States.
Arthur Murray continued developing ways to make dance instruction easier for ordinary people to understand and practice.
Making Dance Instruction Accessible
New Ideas That Changed the Way People Learned to Dance
Arthur Murray became known for developing practical teaching methods that helped students learn dance steps in a clear and structured way.
His approach included step-by-step dance diagrams that could be used for lessons at home. These innovations helped introduce ballroom dancing to a much wider audience.
As interest in dance continued to grow, Arthur Murray expanded his studio business and developed a network of locations that brought his teaching methods to communities across the United States and beyond.
Arthur & Kathryn Murray: Partners in Dance
A Partnership That Helped Shape Social Dance
Arthur Murray met Kathryn Kohnfelder, an accomplished student, and the two eventually married in 1925.
Together, Arthur and Kathryn played an important role in expanding the reach of dance instruction. Their work helped make social dancing more approachable and helped establish the Arthur Murray name as a familiar part of American dance culture.
Their partnership continued through decades of growth, innovation, and changing dance trends.
The Arthur Murray Party: Dance on Television
Bringing Dance Into American Living Rooms
After World War II, Arthur Murray studios continued to expand, and new dance styles became part of the studio experience.
In 1950, Arthur and Kathryn Murray launched The Arthur Murray Party, a television program that brought dance instruction, entertainment, contests, and celebrity guests into homes across America.
The program ran from 1950 through 1960 and helped introduce ballroom and social dancing to an even wider audience. Kathryn's energetic presence and Arthur's teaching style made the show an important part of the Arthur Murray story.
A Legacy That Continues Today
A Tradition of Helping People Discover the Joy of Dance
Arthur Murray retired from active involvement in the business in 1964. The studios continued to grow and carry forward the teaching approach that he and Kathryn had developed.
Arthur Murray passed away in 1991, followed by Kathryn in 1999. Their belief that dancing could bring confidence, enjoyment, and connection to people's lives remains an important part of the Arthur Murray tradition.
Today, Arthur Murray Dance Studios continue to teach generations of students around the world while adapting the learning experience to modern dancers and their individual goals.
As Kathryn Murray famously said: “The hardest step you’ll ever learn is the first one through our door.”
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