History of Arthur Murray

Arthur Murray was a man who popularized social dancing in America. His name has become associated with the largest ballroom dance company in the world.

In 1912, he started teaching dance at the Grand Palace in NYC.

Murray believed that anybody could learn to dance — it was just a matter of accessibility.

In 1920, he started to experiment with teaching forms and broadcasted the world’s first “radio dance” - the first radio broadcast of live music for dancing in the world.

It was also where he met Kathryn Kohnfelder, his famous dance partner who had been part of the audience during the live broadcast.
The two married in 1925.

Arthur Murray’s Dream Was To Teach The World To Dance.

Arthur and Kathryn Murray

Arthur Murray started writing books and brochures on social dance. Soon after, he started a direct mail correspondence company, shipping out thousands of silhouetted footsteps with accompanying lines and arrows illustrating the correct movements.

By 1925, Murray decided to begin franchising the business. The business continued to grow steadily, and by 1940, Arthur Murray was a household name.

Interesting Facts about Arthur Murray

  • Arthur Murray was one of the people who helped popularize Latin music during the Cold War.
    Before the Cuban Missile Crisis, Murray traveled down to Cuba multiple times to get first-hand training on the Salsa, Cha-Cha, and the Hustle.
    This was unusual as foxtrot and waltz were the most popular dances at the time.

  • Some of Murray’s famous students included Eleanor Roosevelt, the Duke of Windsor, John D. Rockefeller, Johnny Carson, Jane Wyman and Merv Griffin.

  • Some of Hollywood’s as well as Broadway’s most iconic dance routines were choreographed by Arthur Murray's dance teachers. Key classic films that feature some of Arthur Murray's best and brightest dancers or stars taught by Arthur Murray instructors include:

    Dirty Dancing, Dance with Me, Beauty and the Beast, Flashdance, Saturday Night Fever, Scent of a Woman

Arthur with movie star Jan Wyman performing the Lambeth Walk.

Legacy

Arthur Murray was a true pioneer of social dancing and his legacy continues today with over 300 studios in 22 countries.

Even after he retired in 1964, Murray's studios and name lived on as partner dancing became more popular.

Our mission remains the same - to teach the world to dance, and thanks to Arthur Murray, millions of people around the globe continue to enjoy this amazing pastime.