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“Did you know that there is a secret group of beautiful people working in Williston Park? 

I just discovered them myself. I was talking to Bob Miceli, a local printer from East Williston. I ran into Bob at the Post Office Saturday morning and he told me he had been was enjoying my columns.  

Then he pointed over my shoulder and said “So when are you going to do something on that dance studio across the street? He was referring to the Arthur Murray Dance Studio right there at 433 Willis Avenue. Of course. Why hadn’t I thought of that before?

Within the hour I was across the street and talking to Leslie LaGuardia who was the studio manager and before long she had offered me a series of free lessons to get a real taste of ball room dancing. 

Call me foolish or call me fearless but within minutes I was on the dance floor with Leslie trying to memorize the difference between quick step, fox trot and samba. Wow! Since I am about as graceful as an ox, I realized rapidly that this was going to be a true threat to self-esteem.

We all know about ballroom dancing from the films “Shall We Dance” and “Mad Hot Ballroom.” And who hasn’t watched “Dancing with the Stars” on TV? So off I glided. 

What I could see was this kind of dancing was a mathematical equation put to music. The initial phase of dance training is filled with awkward starts and stops and much embarrassment as one looks in horror at your own vision in the wall to wall mirrors.  But what gets you through this phase is the opportunity to hold an exquisitely beautiful woman in your arms. These are the teachers.

Over the course of three classes I had a chance to partner with Anna Marinos and Lori Mizro both of whom have charm, grace, nice smiles and international reputations in dance. And if you are a lady looking to learn the merengue you may meet up with Pavel Bic or Adam Katona both of who are about six-feet tall and have European accents.  

This group of dancers is there to teach but just as importantly to lead you through the awkward phase with the least amount of embarrassment.  The hope is that next time you attend a party you manage the dance floor with ease and aplomb.

I have done many kinds of exercise over the years to support my golf game including hot yoga, Pilates, running and weight training.  I consider myself pretty fit so I was surprised when my thighs began to burn during these gentle little fox-trot drills.  Anna explained to me that this kind of movement is controlled motion almost like tai chi and this really burns calories, builds balance and helps posture.  The next day as I made my daily stroll to the post office I could see that already energy was in my gait.

Before I finished my lessons, I had a chance to meet Safwat Gerges who is the franchise owner of this studio and eight others world-wide.  Gerges came to ballroom dancing through professional ballet in Egypt. He reminded me of Mikhail Baryshnikov in style and in size and in fact he has danced with Baryshnikov in Europe.  In other words this guy is credentialed.

At the end of my brief stay in the studio I asked Leslie about the typical student. She told me, “Most come in to learn how to dance at weddings or to get some social interaction but a few actually fall deeply in love with dance. And this opens up the world to them. 

“We have competitions in places like Monte Carlo, Vienna and Rio. These folks actually become dancers and begin to live the dancer’s life.”

So what exactly is the dancer’s life anyway? You can see for yourself by looking carefully at the photo I took of the crew.  The dancer’s life is obviously a happy one. Those smiles you see are not phony or plastered on. They are all expressing the wonderful fact that they are living a life filled with movement and music and the body electric. 

And if you want a taste of this life go down and sign up for some lessons. Go have some fun and who knows we just may hear that you are in a competition in Monte Carlo someday. And if you get there I promise I will write about you.  

So yes we do have beautiful people right here in little old Williston Park.  Who knew?”

Arthur Murray Williston Park had two students this year participating in the World Dance-O-Rama in Orlando, Fl. Both of our students took top prizes at the competition. 

Congratulations to Genie Heller for winning the top silver level student category and Flo Baumoel for winning top solo routine.  Her “Gangham Style” Cha Cha routine with her teachers Pavel and Adam brought her a standing ovation from hundreds of on looking spectators at the competition.

We are very proud of both of you!

think about the moment that you and your beloved will be in the spotlight for

your first dance as husband and wife. If the two of you have only danced together

with your arms locked around each others’ neck, rocking back and forth in a

waddling fashion, you may consider taking a few ballroom dance lessons to give

you a more sophisticated look. Choosing a first dance song does not always have

to be a timeless classic like Etta James’ At Last. Many couples are thinking outside

of the box step and going for creative dances like the Tango,

Salsa or Swing for their first dance, much to the delight of their guests. Choose a

song with a vision in mind as to how you would like to present yourselves at the

reception and let the dance studio professionals put together the steps for you

that will best represent the two of you. You may also want to talk to your dance

instructor about the kind of music you will have played at your event so they can

give you a few more cool moves other than your first dance. It’s advisable to start

your dance lessons approximately three to four months before the big day to

make sure that you look natural and have time to practice what you have learned.

Taking dance lessons together can be a wonderful way to relieve the stress of

planning a wedding and also an opportunity for the two of you to spend some

quality time together in each others’ arms, learn to dance once and for all, and

make your first dance one that the guests will not soon forget!

Check out some of the pictures from the event:

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Moms love dancing! Her face will light up with joy when she opens her card and finds a ballroom dance lesson gift certificate from your Williston Park Arthur Murray Dance Center.

Dancing is the gift that truly keeps on giving as she feels the joy of dancing…makes new friends…connects with her significant other.

No partner, no problem Mom can dance with one of our highly trained male dance teachers and maybe meet someone new at our weekly dance party.

Call your Williston Park dance center for 25% off the gift of dancing!

Williston Park Ballroom Dance Center - 516-248-6430

Visit the Arthur Murray Commack Ballroom Dance Center, call us at 516-248-6430 or click here to email us, so we can tailor the perfect gift for your needs.

Christmas – Retirement – Secretaries Day – Holiday Gifts- Graduation – Mother’s/Father’s Day – Incentives – Anniversaries – Congratulations – Business Gifts – Birthdays – Valentine’s Day – Weddings

Mom can learn to dance Swing, Tango, Waltz, Fox Trot and many more dances. At Arthur Murray of Williston Park we teach dance lessons to Moms from Garden City, Syosset, Roslyn, East Williston and surrounding towns every day. Group and Private Dance classes are 45 minutes so they are easy to fit into your schedule. We look forward to dancing with you!

If you live near our Williston Park ballroom dance center in Garden City, Mineola, Roslyn and surrounding towns we would love to help you learn ballroom dancing. As our Mayor can attest to ballroom dancing is fun for all ages, exciting and an important community activity.

Arthur Murray dance centers offer group and private ballroom dance lessons for all ability levels. Our classes are only 45 minutes long so they fit nicely into your schedule.

We look forward to hearing from you, please call for our new student special offer: 516-248-6430

Or make the short drive from East Williston, Carle Place, Port Washington and surrounding towns.

You will find directions to our ballroom dance studio here.