Christy’s history with Arthur Murray began with her family. Her father started in the 1950s as a teenager and became the first Arthur Murray gold medalist graduate, and eventual franchisee. Her mother began with Arthur Murray as a young adult and over a span of thirty-four years has owned four schools—currently owning the Redlands location which is ranked as one of the top schools in the world. Christy was trained in the Redlands school at the early age of fourteen, beginning as a receptionist, where her mother taught her everything she knows. There, she became a top dance instructor, professional competitor, and New Student Counselor. Christy’s many achievements include: Arthur Murray World West Ballroom and Hustle Champion, one of the six Arthur Murray International Dance Directors in charge of instructor training, and is an Arthur Murray certified judge. Seventeen years later, Christy and her husband, Robert, took over the Woodland Hills school creating a world-class dance studio in only a few short years. Now Christy’s passion lies in helping her instructors develop to their fullest potential, and in being a proud wife and mother of two beautiful girls.

Beginning his career in the corporate arena, Robert came to realize that he was missing out on important facets of his personality—his interest in teaching and training, as well as the desire for personal business success. His sister, dance champion Cari Jo Melgoza, introduced him to wonderful world of ballroom dancing. Finding a home at the Redlands Arthur Murray studio, Robert changed careers, which has since lead to greater fulfillment. Shortly after becoming an instructor, Robert quickly rose to become the number one Specialist teacher within the Arthur Murray International organization where he maintained that position until becoming franchisee of the Woodland Hills school, with wife Christy. In addition to his list of teaching and executive accomplishments, Robert has also received many awards for his professional competitive dancing. Robert’s main focus at present is on family and in further developing the Woodland Hills Arthur Murray into a first-rate, service first dance school.

Terra has been with the Arthur Murray family in Woodland Hills since she was thirteen years old. Transferring from student to staff member during high school, Terra quickly left the reception desk and began teaching. After college, it was clear that the Arthur Murray organization was the best place to be able to incorporate her love of meeting new people, dancing, and teaching, as well as provide an artistic and creative outlet. Within the first few years as the New Student Counselor, Terra had received Top Counselor awards for both International Dance Festival and Tournament of Champions in 2006, New Student and Guest invitational Challenges, and a Star Performance award in 2005. Recently moving into the Medalist Department as Supervisor, Terra looks forward to continued success with student programming and within Arthur Murray International. Watching students learn and master their dancing, over-come obstacles, and build strong social connections inspires her each day to continue to provide the best service possible to the studio and to each student.

Lacy started taking dance lessons with Arthur Murray studios when she was fourteen years old. She was excited to start teaching only three years later, and has since competed professionally in both smooth and rhythm categories and has placed within the top six finalists in several of those competitions. Through various Pro-Am competitions, Lacy has also been able to help her students achieve the same. Lacy has received several top instructor awards in both 2005 and 2006, and is currently ranked as one of the top twenty instructors in the world. Her love for teaching and helping students reach their dance goals has served as a stepping stone for her to move onto the Counselor position, where she is currently working with new students and staff to make everyone’s experience at Arthur Murray an exceptional one.

During his second year of college, Alexis was inspired by the film “Swing Kids” to attend a campus swing class. From that class he found the joy and benefits of social dancing. Alexis’ new found passion eventually led him into teaching many of the dance classes where he started as a student. After exploring his options in the medical field, Alexis realized something was missing, and a few years later joined the teaching staff at Arthur Murray Woodland Hills. Now a senior member of the staff, Alexis has had many successes as an instructor, including Top Instructor awards for yearly contests and festivals although, his greatest joys come from seeing his students strive for quality social dancing and high marks at dance competitions throughout the year.

Amber has been dancing for eighteen years. She has won numerous national dance awards while competing with various dance companies. She began choreographing musicals in 1999 and was nominated for an ADA award for her choreography in 2004. She is currently the resident choreographer for a local performing arts center in the San Fernando Valley. After beginning as a student at Arthur Murray, Amber discovered her love for ballroom dancing, and soon became an instructor in order to share her passion with the world.

Beginning at an early age, Kelly has always had a passion for dance. She began her ballroom career at Arthur Murray Hawaii. Thanks to Arthur Murray’s worldwide locations and her husband’s military employment, Kelly has been able to remain with the company and enjoy teaching at several studio locations. Her new home at Woodland Hills has allowed her to rapidly advance in her dancing and teaching due to the coaching of franchisees Robert and Christy. Kelly is currently competing professionally in American Smooth where she is a consistent finalist.

Born and raised in Israel, Hadas began dancing at the age of five. While in school, she was chosen for an advanced program focusing on jazz, ballet, and modern dancing. After serving in the Israeli military, Hadas began performing in musical productions and started her ballroom training at the Ramat Hasharon Arthur Murray studio in 2002. Hadas moved to the United States in 2005 and has since earned a Top Teacher award, and claimed first place in the Future Champions rhythm competition at Unique Dance O Rama in 2007.

Nick has always enjoyed various styles of dancing. Starting as a student with Arthur Murray, Nick quickly realized he had found what he wanted to do with his life and career: to share his passion and knowledge of dance with others. Since becoming an instructor, Nick has received many first place awards in a variety of Pro-Am competitions, as well as placing within the finalists in multiple professional rhythm competitions.

Toren began to shine at an early age in shows and musicals, where he found his love for performing. He began his Arthur Murray career in 2005, and quickly discovered a passion for ballroom dancing. Toren regularly places first with students in Pro-Am dance competitions. Toren has achieved both Semi Final and Finalist placements in Professional Smooth competitions in 2006 and 2007.

Born in Poland, Agata began ice skating when she was three years old. She took up ballroom dancing at the age of nine after watching many of her sister’s dance classes. As a junior dancer, Agata was placed into the highest possible classes: those for competitive champion training. In addition to her participation in over one hundred competitions, achieving finalist or first placements in most, Agata has traveled all over Europe and the United States performing in concerts, music videos, and appearing in over sixty television programs for Euro Vision. At the beginning of 2007, Agata took the opportunity to work with the Woodland Hills Arthur Murray dance studio. Her love of teaching through her experiences and knowledge excites all of Agata’s students to be the best dancers they can be.

Heather came to work with the Woodland Hills Arthur Murray family in the summer of 2007, having relocated from her hometown in Southwest Missouri. She quickly found her love of helping people and passion for performing arts would be combined in her work as an Executive Assistant. Growing up, Heather was heavily involved in theatre, and could be found both onstage and backstage. She has also enjoyed working with people, shown through her work as a massage therapist, and later, as a medical assistant and intake coordinator. Heather looks forward to making each student’s experience with the studio a memorable one.