There's a new judge in town.
Well, not just this second, but soon. Arthur Murray consultant, Drew Miller, joins the District Showcase judging panel, and we asked him some questions, and he shared a little bit about his dance story, and some advice to enhance your own.
Northern California, meet Drew.
AML: We want to officially welcome you to the judging panel at our District Showcase. So, let's start at the beginning. How did your Arthur Murray journey begin?
DM: Knowing only a bit of Salsa, one of my friends invited me to do some volunteer work at a Spanish speaking only cultural center. It was a way to practice my Spanish, so why not? I enjoyed it so much. I was teaching, dancing, helping these low income families... everything left me feeling like a million bucks.
But eventually, I needed a paying job. So it made sense to look for a place with teaching dance.
I was fortunate enough to find the Arthur Murray Orange studio which had just started a training program. They threw me into teacher training the next day and I survived it to the end.
AML: You have been making some tremendous strides over the last couple of years with your competitive dancing. What would you attribute that to, and was there a moment where things really started to click?
DM: There are so many little details that help one to feel success. However, the biggest element I can attribute to our success is consistency. Krista (my smooth partner) and I have a consistent practice and lesson schedule with the same village of coaches. Just like our students making weekly appointments with teachers and coaches, we can constantly make small improvements in our dancing. In rare moments of brilliance, we can even make a large stride of progress.
There were two moments where things started to click. One was when Ingvar Geirsson explained to my left brain how to appear emotional - simply choose emotional words to emulate physically - Genius! The second moment that clicked was when we finally understood how to use our body weight to connect and move with each other - that one took us six months of studying.
DM: I always describe my franchisees to my friends and family with the same phrase: They are saints. The Platts have built a system for all the staff and students to grow and improve. They look out for everybody and are always mindful of your experience. I've learned so much about how to be a better person of service - as a teacher, coach, and manager. An example would be Unique Dance-O-Rama. UDOR is just a glimpse into how hard the Platts work every day for those around them.
Unique Dance-O-Rama 2016 - Irvine, CA from Maude Productions on Vimeo.
AML: Let's talk about this event coming up. This will be your first District Showcase in Northern California. Out of curiosity, what's the word on the street about the event?
DM: Word on the street is it's so exciting and popular that it can't be contained in just one day. I'm picturing high energy, lots of dancing, and non-stop fun.
AML: For the students preparing to attend, what advice would you suggest for those that want to prepare the best way possible?
DM: This is the time when your adrenaline might be picking up, but you'll have to remember to breathe and trust in your preparation so far. Start setting some plans and goals that you can look forward to after the event.
AML: You've had plenty of students participate in some of the biggest dance events in the world, like Unique Dance-O-Rama, is there something that you do to keep them centered and calm before they start dancing?
DM: We stay centered by breathing, connecting visually, and then physically. We trust that muscle memory will kick in, and, finally, I whisper, "you've got this". At the end of the day, it all comes down to enjoying the experience.
AML: Since you've become a judge, has your perspective on dancing changed at all?
DM: I'm not sure becoming a judge has changed much of my personal competing, but it definitely has changed my pro-am dancing. I'm more aware of the judges around me and their need for my help to showcase the student. For example, they need to see my number and they need to see good quality movement.
AML: If you could share a public service announcement to any of the students out there that may have felt like this event was outside of their skill level, what would you say to them?
DM: Everyone learns one step at a time. You have a new family of dancers surrounding you and supporting your newfound adventure. There is much to be gained by overcoming something.
Rapid Fire Questions
1. What are you a total geek about?
DM: Body mechanics and its effect on partnering.
2. Who is one Arthur Murray person that makes you want to stand up a little straighter when you see them?
DM: Ingvar Geirsson.
3. What's the first job you ever had?
DM: Great America sales associate.
4. What is your comfort food?
DM: Nachos.
5. You get to rename the term "Minor Dances". What would you call them?
DM: Specialized dances.
6. Your all time favorite moment at the Unique Dance-O-Rama?
DM: Hoisting Bill Jacobsen in the air and firing off streamers around him.
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