Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Escondido

Having grown from one man's mail-order venture into a global juggernaut, Arthur Murray waltzes into its second century of social dance instruction driven by instructors who have influenced the creation of movies such as Saturday Night Fever. Classes delineate the choreography of more than 25 Latin, country-western, and smooth styles, and instructors certified through rigorous dance training and testing to develop skills often chocked up to innate talent or intuition. Students achieve confidence and competition readiness via the internationally recognized medalist system, which tracks progress in three areas on a scale from bronze to gold.

In addition to standard classes, wedding sessions help engaged couples to enjoy a graceful, relaxed first dance, and regular dance parties invite instructors and pupils to practice improvisation among peers. Each franchise is independently owned and operated by previous Arthur Murray instructors and their shadows, paving the way for efficient administration without hampering each location's community feel.