Dance Advice for Humans

What is an Arthur Murray Supervisor

Written by Chris Lynam | Jan 14, 2017 3:55:34 PM

What is an Arthur Murray Supervisor?

An Arthur Murray Supervisor is the manager for the advanced teaching department at an Arthur Murray Dance Studio.  They work to ensure that students are achieving their dance goals, they train the staff so the teaching material will constantly stimulate growth, and helps to manage the day to day operations of the school.  

A Behind the Scenes Multi-Tasker

Whether it's a Broadway Show, a limousine ride, or the outfit your date is wearing - many of the things we enjoy had countless hours of preparation behind the scenes.  The better we understand a process, the better we can appreciate it.  

Like wine tasting - maybe you go on a tour, observe the labor that goes into each bottle, and are given mental cues to look for when you start drinking the stuff.  

You then have perspective, you're in the know, and you can appreciate each drop.  So let's take a tour of one of the most important roles in an Arthur Murray Dance Studio.  Let's pull back the curtain and examine what the Arthur Murray Supervisor does. Let's investigate the process of their work so we can appreciate how it impacts us all on the road to better dancing. 

8 Roles of an Arthur Murray Supervisor

Studio Coach

The Supervisor oversees the progress of any student from Bronze 1 to the far reaches of the syllabus.  Supervisors will visit lessons to act as an in-studio consultant to stimulate progress at key times throughout a dance program.  The reason for this is simple, there's a learning curve that every dancer must travel through - and having an extra set of eyes really helps.

Liaison

Spokesperson, agent, intermediary - whichever term works best - The supervisor improves the connection for both the teacher and the student.   Whether you aren't sure about the song choice for your next dance routine, or if you want to consider working with an additional teacher - the Supervisor is a liaison to help students first and foremost. 

Trainer 

Being great with students is expected for all the staff in your dance studio, but being a great trainer to the staff is what separates a supervisor.  They conduct daily meetings with the teachers on everything from communication skills to teaching techniques.  The more primed and prepared the teachers are, the easier it is for students to learn. 

Event Planner

Remember the olden days of travel agents?  A Supervisor is, in a way, like a classic travel agent.  With so many different types of events designed to stimulate your dance progress and confidence, the studio Supervisor is typically the point person to help you set up a strategic dance calendar.  

Point of View

You'll receive regular visits on the dance floor called Progress Checks.  These visits are no different than the scheduled service appointments for your car.  They'll watch you dance, offer feedback, and develop a strategy to your next goal right then and there.  

Auditor

Your dance program, and your dance goals, have been discussed, edited, rearranged, and improved upon by your teacher alongside the supervisor.  Sometimes it's a quick suggestion, and other times it is a complete overhaul, but that's all made possible by the audit.  

Problem Solver

As in any business, home, or activity - there are bound to be problems that will pop up.  One of the Supervisor's chief responsibilities is to be a first responder, ask questions, and develop a workable solution.  Whether that is due to the coffee machine breaking down or if a dance teacher decided to leave - a Supervisor is trained to turn everyday problems into learning opportunities for all involved. 

Studio Generalist

As in any management job, or any employee at a startup, the Supervisor is a generalist.  They do a little bit of everything.  You may see a Supervisor filling in at the front desk, teaching the new group class, or giving a new student a coaching lesson on what to expect in the future.  

The Arthur Murray Live Supervisors

Alex Doan - Redwood City Supervisor
Karen Prado - Walnut Creek 
Evan Boyer - Hayward
William Daily - Livermore
Eva Love - San Francisco
Richard Meyers - Fremont
Alexis Morales - Fremont
CJ Gomez - Millbrae


Final Thought

Supervisors earn their position based on their teaching, communication, and leadership skills.  Each of these traits are critical since they are, essentially, taking on the entire student body as clients.  

Whether you think of them as a coach, a host or hostess, a success manager, motivational speaker, or the person you occasionally see restocking the bathroom with supplies - they are vital to your studio, and champions behind the scenes. 

So what do you appreciate most about your studio Supervisor? 

One click, one appointment, and five minutes later - you'll be dancing.  Simple as that. 

10 Ballroom Dancing Wounds and How to Avoid Them
50 Movie Dance Scenes and How to Do Them
21 Challenges To Improve Your Social Dance Skills
23 Problems Only Competitive Dancers Will Understand
6 Dance Competition Essentials Most Women Forget to Pack
5 Dysfunctional Dance Comparisons of a Dance Student 
5 Reasons Why Ballroom Dance Teachers Obsess Over Basics
49 Steps To Ballroom Dance Etiquette
Last Minute Dance Competition Survival Tips