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 for Terra. Here she was able to incorporate her love of meeting new people, dance, and teaching. At Arthur Murray she is provided with an artistic and creative outlet. Within her first few years as the New Student Counselor, Terra received Top Counselor Awards for New Student and Guest Invitational Challenges, a Star Performance Award in 2005, along with both International Dance Festival and Tournament of Champions in 2006. Since becoming a Supervisor in the Medalist department in 2008, Terra has been the Top Supervisor for International Dance Festival and Tournament of Champions two years running and has finished in the top 10 worldwide. Terra looks forward to continued success with student programming and within Arthur Murray International. She is inspired each day to continue providing the best service possible to the studio, and to all students, by watching them as they learn to master their dancing, overcome obstacles, and build strong social connections.

Lacy started taking dance lessons at the Arthur Murray Studio as a guest when she was fourteen years old. Her dedication and drive propelled her to start teaching only three years later. She has since competed professionally in the Smooth and Rhythm Categories, placing within the top six finalists in several of those competitions, and is currently focusing solely in Smooth. Through various Pro-Am competitions, Lacy has been able to instill in her students the ambition and focus to achieve the same. Lacy received several Top Instructor Awards in 2005 and 2006 and finished as one of the top 20 Specialists in the World in the 2007. Her love of teaching and her desire to help new students reach their dancing goals served as a stepping stone for her to move on to a Counselor Position in 2008. She finished 2008 as the Number One Counselor in the World and as one of the top 10 Counselors for 2009. Lacy’s passion lies in working with new students as well as the 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’ newfound 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. In 2009, he competed in his first Unique Dance-O-Rama in the Open Smooth Category. Alexis’ greatest joy comes from seeing his students strive for quality social dancing and high marks at dance competitions throughout the year.

Although she is only 27, Amber has been dancing for twenty 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 of ballroom dancing and soon became an instructor in order to share her passion with the world. She continues to have amazing success with the Arthur Murray organization. In 2008, Amber was the Top Female Specialist and in 2009 she was a top finalist in Future Champions for Smooth and Rhythm at Las Vegas Dance-O-Rama.

Nick has enjoyed various styles of dancing from a young age. Starting as a student at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Woodland Hills, Nick quickly realized that dance would always be a part of his life and he had found a career. His goal is 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, has placed within the finalists in multiple professional Rhythm Competitions, and is currently competing professionally in the Smooth Category. In addition to his professional dance accomplishments; Nick finished as one of the Top Instructors in the World for 2008.

David began his long and distinguished career with the Arthur Murray Organization as a guest and student in 1975. He worked in the Phoenix, AZ studio alongside powerhouses such as Jacques DeBeve, Steve and Georgetta Platt, Robert Long, Bob Powers, and Julia Gorchakova for many years. David was Number One Teacher and Guest Getter worldwide for many years and went on to become Dance Director & Guest Director at this prestigious institution. He became a Duel Certified Examiner in 1980 and started judging dance competitions throughout the United States. David has competed in the American and International styles of dance. He has traveled all over California and the U.S. to train and motivate Arthur Murray employees. David was also the International Guest Director and former Franchisee of our Woodland Hills Studio during its time on Ventura Blvd. He is now happy and enthusiastic to be with the Woodland Hills Studio again, this time in the capacity of Guest Director as he guides students through their first year in their Bronze Program.

Cheryl started dancing when she was 18, competing in Jazz and Hip Hop. Swing became her passion in 1998 and she started with the Arthur Murray family in 2002. In the past 6 years, Cheryl has worked for the Arthur Murray Studios in Santa Barbara, Sherman Oaks, and has found her new home in Woodland Hills. She is excited to be a part of the Woodland Hills Staff. Her experience and broad knowledge led to being awarded Top Female Instructor at the International Dance Festival in 2008, at Diamond Star Showcase in 2009, and again at Tournament of Champions that same year.

Sam has been dancing since he was 15; he studied studying modern, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. He was trained at the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio in New York. Since then, Sam has performed at various prestigious Los Angeles landmarks including the Staples Center, House of Blues, The Highland, and Carnival at the Choreographers Ball. His passion for dance and teaching is what led him to Arthur Murray in 2008. Sam’s extraordinary talent and drive allowed him to finish his first year as an instructor for the Arthur Murray Studio as Rookie of the Year and 2009 was no different, he placed as one of the Top 10 Specialists in the world. In 2008 he was a top Future Champions Finalist in Smooth and Rhythm at Las Vegas Dance-O-Rama and Unique Dance-O-Rama. Sam definitely enjoys dancing and performing, but his true joy comes in teaching and welcoming new students into our Arthur Murray family.

Alison began dancing ballroom at the age of 11 at her local cotillion. At age 16, she become an Assistant Teacher and helped others learn to dance. She went on to the Claremont Colleges and was chosen to be on their 5-time Champion Ballroom Dance team. In her spare time, she joined the Swing Club and helped in the formation of their Salsa Club. After graduating, she decided to pursue dancing as a career and became a staff member of Arthur Murray in May of 2008.

Jared has been dancing and performing professionally as a Latin Dancer for over 6 years. He has performed across the US as well as Mexico and Puerto Rico. He has performed for “Dancing with the Stars”, Telemundo, Univision, and T.V. Azteca. His love and passion for dancing and teaching is what lead him to our Arthur Murray Dance Studio. In 2009 he won 1st place in Rhythm Future Champions, 3rd place in the Open Professional Salsa Competition at Unique Dance-O-Rama, and 2nd place in the Open Professional Salsa Competition at Superama in Las Vegas.

Joel has been teaching at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios since 2006, getting his start at the Pasadena location. He holds a B.A. in Dance from UC San Diego and has performed as a professional dancer in musicals. Joel has choreographed many musicals and is a huge fan of “show dancing”. He has competed in Future Champions, Rising Star, and Open Professionals, each time placing in the finals for Smooth and Rhythm. He has also placed amongst the Top Instructors in the world. Joel joined us at the beginning of 2009 and is excited to be a part of the Woodland Hills Award Winning Staff.