LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - It is the 11th hour at the Arthur Murray Superama. Although there are plenty of professionals honing their skills for their long awaited Professional Championships on the dance floor - there are professionals who are refining something completely different: Their teaching skills.
Tucked away in a quiet corner are Evan Healy, Supervisor from Arthur Murray Hayward, Oscar David, from Arthur Murray Los Gatos, and Juan De Dios Garcia, Franchisee from Arthur Murray San Jose & Los Gatos.
While dancers are practicing sweeping movements, dips, and gyrations 10 feet from them, Oscar and Juan are dancing a beginner's box step. Evan, playing the role of Supervisor, is visiting. It all sounds like a real lesson.
This is All Star preparation.
For Oscar, this is one box step that's long overdue.
The year was 2012 and Oscar advanced to the All Star finals in the Rookie category. That same year the organizers decided, based on the testing format, to not include the Rookie All Stars in the competition, but to recognize them for their accomplishments.
All the honor, but without the competition.
Now it's 2015, and Oscar is back in the competition as an instructor. He has the unique distinction of being a two time All Star finalist, but competing for the first time. He's in Las Vegas, as a competitor, and can finally participate in the worldwide skills competition - at the 11th hour, tucked away in a corner, with another male professional, pretending to be students.
He's no longer the forgotten All Star.
For more coverage of the George B. Theiss Arthur Murray All Star Compeition, follow these links:
Livermore Sends Two To Tango In Arthur Murray World Championship Event
No Ordinary Trip For These Arthur Murray Bay Area Professionals