2017 Arthur Murray All Star Spotlight: Area 10
An Arthur Murray Professional is so much more than just a great dancer.
They are teachers who are able to make complicated patterns and techniques fun and simple to learn; they are studio hosts and hostesses who offer excellent customer service to their students on a daily basis; and they are ambassadors representing a top-notch ballroom dance company that has been teaching the world to dance for more than a century.
So it only makes sense that not all of our competitions are strictly for the dance floor.
A prime example: Arthur Murray International's world-wide All Star Competition, a competition that puts staff members into in-studio scenarios to see who handles the day-to-day operations of a ballroom dance studio with the most grace, confidence, and excellence.
Here's how it works:
Arthur Murray Dance Centers are split into 9 Areas world-wide. First, staff members must win their division at the in-studio level, then they move on to Districts, and finally, the creme de la creme go on to be named the top in their Area.
Arthur Murray International flies the Area Winners to Las Vegas, and puts them up at the Bellagio Hotel so that they can compete in the world-wide All Star Championships!
Recently, Area 10 hosted their All Star testing and Arthur Murray Live was there to chat with the winners.
TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:
Kate Johnson from Arthur Murray Sydney
Kate Johnson has waited for this moment, and now this Administrative Assistant is an Arthur Murray All Star finalist, not only in name, but in competition.
- Name: Kate Johnson
- Studio: Sydney, Australia
- All Star History: "I have always won the Admin Assistant section, but haven't had any competition for a long time now."
- Year You Started in the Business: 2004
- Position: Administrative Assistant
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
KJ: Ran a 5Km marathon just before. Just joking. My Arthur Murray friends told me to just be myself and do what I do every day at work.
AML: What's you All Star backstory? If you can give a little synopsis of the highs and lows of this competition over the years.
KJ: This is the first year that Area 10 has sent a team to the All Stars in Vegas, so that is extremely exciting.
I am truly excited to meet my Arthur Murray hero, Tara Christensen, we have had a lovely email relationship over the years and she is such a great help and support to us with the Area 10 Dance-O-Rama. I can't wait to see a Superama in progress.
TOP SPECIALIST: Olivia Cianci from Arthur Murray Chatswood
Olivia Cianci has made the most of her time as a new professional. Need proof? She's the top Area 10 Specialist going to the Arthur Murray All Star finals.
- Name: Olivia Cianci
- Studio: Chatswood, Australia
- All Star History: "This is my first year competing."
- Year You Started in the Business: 2017
- Position: Specialist
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
OC: Lots of notes and revision seems to work for me. Last minute pep talks from my amazing Supervisor, Shane, and my bosses Mark and Mel. I took a big deep breath and tried to picture all the students I've taught, envisioning them helped put me in the right head space before taking the exam.
AML: Last question: What does this mean to you? What makes it special?
OC: To me, this is an amazing opportunity to see Arthur Murray in all its glory. I am looking forward to learning as much as I can along the way as well.
TOP COUNSELOR: Ghleanna Tecala from Arthur Murray Parramatta
Ghleanna Tecala has been with Arthur Murray Parramatta for 18 months, and she's already making history as part of the Area 10 Arthur Murray All Star team.
- Name: Ghleanna Tecala
- Studio: Parramatta
- All Star History: In Studio testing
- Year You Started in the Business: 2016
- Position: Counselor
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?
GT: So I had just gotten my wisdom teeth taken out a week before Semi-Finals, so I was pretty under the weather. But I went in with no expectations because it was the first time I had ever made it to this round and I was just happy to be there amongst some of the best All Star competitors.
AML: Last question: What does this mean to you? What makes it special?
GT: I've only been in the industry for a year and a half, so to make it this far into the competition has been a humbling experience.
I think this is special for everyone on the Australasian Team! It's great to be a part of a team with so much talent and heart!
TOP TEACHER: Ludovic Moureau from Arthur Murray Osaka
Ludovic Moureau has worked in Canada, the UK, and now he represents Osaka, Japan as the top Teacher in the Arthur Murray All Star competition.
- Name: Ludovic Moureau
- Studio: Osaka, Japan
- All Star History: "I've never participated before"
- Year You Started in the Business: 2010
- Position: Teacher
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare for the test?
LM: Nothing super exciting. I came to the studio, drank my coffee, and reread through the scenario and tried to imagine who my case studies were. Sorry for the dullness!
AML: Last question: What does this mean to you? What makes it special?
LM: It's a great opportunity to learn from others from all over the world and seeing their cultures and their belief systems. I'ts special as there are only a handful of people selected, so it creates a sense of pride.
TOP SUPERVISOR:
Caitlin Hosking from Arthur Murray Crows Nest
Caitlin Hosking has two hemispheres worth of experience, and that experience has turned into a return visit to the All Star finals.
- Name: Caitlin Hosking
- Studio: Crows Nest, Australia
- All Star History: Top Rookie, 2nd Place Top Specialist twice.
- Year You Started in the Business: 2009
- Position: Supervisor
AML: First off, congratulations on moving into the finals in Last Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?
CH: If you can imagine a kid's face on their very first roller coaster ride, that pretty much sums it up. I've done this competition a few times, but it never gets dull - there are always new challenges and surprises. Coming to Las Vegas to see my extended Arthur Murray family is quite a thrill in itself.
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
CH: We're going to give it all we've got and if that leads us to win it all, then my teammates might miss their flights out of Vegas... because I will still be hugging them.
TOP ROOKIE: Kyoka Okuda from Arthur Murray Kobe
Kyoka Okuda has made a successful transition from a dance student to dance professional. Now she moves to a new position: All Star finalist.
- Name: Kyoka Okuda
- Studio: Kobe, Japan
- All Star History: This is my first time.
- Year You Started in the Business: April 2017
- Position: Rookie
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
KO: Tried to remind myself how I felt when I just started to learn dancing at Arthur Murray. What made me want to come into the studio as a student. What kind of feeling I felt comfortable with. Also, maybe speak in English with colleague to pull out my 'English brain'.
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
KO: Another great experience! Achievement is not everything, but if I can be a part of team that wins at the final, this gives me a chance to pay back little to my teachers who taught me.
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