Medal Ball
The Medal Ball is an event that finalizes the graduation of dance students from one level of their Arthur Murray dance program to another, and it’s also a celebration of that transition.
Graduating from one level to another at the Medal Ball has 3 main components:
1.An In-studio checkout
This is done after the instructor, student, and a studio executive have met certain dance requirements in advance. Instructors will not invite their students to graduate unless they believe they will receive a passing grade.
2.A Freestyle checkout by an executive or Arthur Murray Consultant
A Freestyle is just the practical application of your dance material. No different than dancing at a party, the executive or visiting consultant will watch the student’s dancing and write notes on areas of improvements, ideas for the next level, and note strengths and signs of improvement.
3.Feedback
It would be a shame if an executive or visiting Arthur Murray dignitary watched you dance, took notes on how you looked, and then never shared them with you or your teacher!
Bonus: There’s a big party!
The Medal Ball, even for non-graduates, is a deluxe dance party. This dance graduation party is a wonderful way to practice your social dancing and add a fun-filled event to your social calendar.
Toronto StarBall / Spring Classic
If you’re looking for a way to fast-track your dance confidence in a weekend, look no further than these two events.
These events feature Freestyles, both Closed and Open, in nearly every dance that is taught at Arthur Murray Dance Studios.
What is a Freestyle?
A Freestyle, similar to a Medal Ball Freestyle, is a group of people from the same dance level, dancing to the same music, all at the same time. As opposed to a solo routine where there is only one dance pair on the floor.
What is a Closed Freestyle?
A Closed Freestyle is a category of Freestyle where the dancers must dance material restricted to the level of their dance program. Ex. A Bronze 2 dancer could not dance Silver Level Foxtrot in a Closed Freestyle.
What is an Open Freestyle?
An Open Freestyle gives the participant the opportunity to dance a Freestyle without restrictions. This opens the door to choreographed routines and higher-level material. In addition, many students and teachers will utilize the Open Freestyles as an additional avenue for repetition in a Showcase environment for the selected dances.
Special Features
In addition to Freestyles, these events also feature additional dance activities and entertainment such as:
Professional Show
The grand finale of Saturday night’s festivities is the Professional Show! There is a full scale, themed, dance production featuring most of the dancers from the participating studios, exciting music, and spectacular choreography.
Post-Event Feedback
Rather than receiving placements as your sole form of feedback, these events don’t end the moment the last Freestyle is danced. In fact, the weeks following these events is where students and teachers can make the biggest leaps in their strategy and development.
A one on one consultation with a member of the judging panel gives the student a chance to receive more context on areas of improvement.
Dance-O-Rama
The premiere dance event for Arthur Murray students is an Arthur Murray Dance-O-Rama.
This 4-6 day event is a total immersion dance event combined with a vacation. So, let’s just call it a “dance vacation”.
Key Benefits of a Dance-O-Rama
Total Immersion
From a dance development standpoint, a DOR is the equivalent of taking 50+ lessons in less than a week. Whether it’s a conference at work, or travelling to a country to learn the language, the total immersion approach is a great way to fast track your development and your dance hobby is no exception.
Dance Confidence
It’s normal to be nervous whenever you’re doing anything in public, including your dance skills. But the remedy for those nerves is exposure. So, as opposed to a few minutes on the dance floor at a solo routine event, a DOR provides you with a format that systematically sheds your nervous energy. If that doesn’t happen on the first day, you’ve always got a few more days for it to kick in.
Dance Deadline
Imagine what tax season would be like without an established deadline. There’s something about having a finish line in front of you that keeps people motivated through the process of the race. The only difference with your dancing is that a dance deadline like a DOR is a fun finish line!
Spotlight
Spotlight is a solo routine event featuring carefully panned out choreography, music, and costumes.
The Benefits of Spotlight
Future Preparations
At some point, a dance opportunity will present itself and you’ll want to be equipped to accept that challenge. A big help along the way is an event where you will, quite literally, dance in the spotlight (pun intended!).
A Sense of Achievement
In the same way that actors may shed a tear at the conclusion of filming a movie, there is a definite sense of euphoria for students to complete and perform a routine. Not only does it help keep your routine in your memory for dance purposes, it’s a feather in your cap for taking on something your non-dance self would have never thought possible.
Practical/Performance
Whether your dance routine is for practical purposes (ex. a Foxtrot you’ll eventually use in segments at office parties and wedding receptions) or you love the thrill and escapism of a performance, you can be sure that you’ll have both upon completion of a Spotlight.
Additional Offerings
Here are some additional ways to participate in a Spotlight outside of a traditional solo routine:
Trio Routines & Small Group Numbers
There is strength in numbers and plenty of production value. Whether it’s a trio routine with two or three of your teachers, or an amateur and professional couple – adding a few extra bodies can create a much more memorable performance.
Formation
A dance formation is a large group performance. So, rather than a routine featuring two people on the dance floor, it’s a routine for 8-20 people instead. This is an excellent way to achieve the benefits of a routine but without any of the spotlight directly on you.
Cameo Appearances
Whether it’s to play a small part in the background or to steal the show at the end, many Spotlight routines create wonderful opportunities for quick cameo appearances.
Final Thought
It’s easy to stick with what’s familiar, like your dance lessons, and leave the events to the “more advanced students”.
But keep in mind, that there’s a previous version of you who never would have imagined that ballroom dancing would be a skill you’d possess.
The fact that your dance lessons are an accepted part of your hobby activities says a lot about how far you’ve come. And if you can do that with dance lessons at Arthur Murray, wouldn’t it be safe to assume that the events they put on won’t be too far from what you enjoy already?
Source article: arthurmurraylive.com
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