Andy Cabell never saw himself owning a dance studio but now that he is, he has big plans for the Arthur Murray Dance Studios of Danbury.
An instructor at the Danbury studio at 345 Main Street since 2009, Cabell, of New Milford, set aside plans to attend grad school and instead started teaching dance here. When the studio, which offers classes for all ages, from ballroom dancing and Latin dancing to hip-hop for kids and much more, came up for sale earlier this year, he jumped at the chance to own it.
“I have loved dance since I was a boy taking tap and ballet classes,” he said. “Dancing is fun and a great form of exercise and I strive to provide a safe place in my studio for everyone to be themselves. Classes are offered for all ages and for all walks of life,” Cabell said. “Couples can come and take a class to prepare for their first dance at their wedding and singles can join because you don’t need a partner,”he said. “We have an extensive children’s program from hip hop to jazz, contemporary, ballet and swing. You’re never too young or too old to dance.”
Since joining Arthur Murray, Cabell has placed first in multiple teaching competitions and has made it to the international finals of the annual All Stars Tournament twice, an event designed to evaluate an instructor’s level of customer service.
On the eve of the franchise’s 40th anniversary in Danbury next year, Cabell is launching several new initiatives to cement the studio’s relationships in the city. “We want to not only say thank you to the community for supporting us for four decades but to be good neighbors and give back,”Cabell said. “I am looking to partner with more local non-profits and we hope to host one major event each quarter next year that resonates with our studio mission.”The studio already has a long history of supporting local organizations from The Housatonic Habitat for Humanity to A Better Chance in Ridgefield. A recent Dancing with the Stars event at the Crowne Plaza raised 30,000 dollars for Hillside Food Outreach.
Cabell also hopes to launch dance programs focused on fitness and dance to get the heart rate up as well as offering programs emphasizing the social component, which could be dance parties or dance competitions. He would like to work with both senior citizen groups as well as youth organizations. “We always want to make sure everyone in our studio is enjoying themselves.”
Cabell is joined at the studio by his manager, Tara Aston, who has helped make a seamless transition under his ownership and four dance instructors. Arthur Murray Dance Studio is at 345 Main Street.
For more information, www.arthurmurrayofdanbury.com or call 203-826-2084.