Arthur Murray Dance Centers brings fitness, fun, poise, and a touch of elegance to Des Moines through ballroom dance.
Add an energizing social activity,
get to know your partner better, or
prepare for dancing at a special event
Polish your technique,
add to your repertoire as a
competitive ballroom dancer
Join us at one of our newest dance centers. Find us off Pacific Hwy. S. near Celebration Park and the Belmore Park Golf & Country Club.
Groups, couples, and individuals at all levels of ability are welcome. Residents in all of Federal Way, Lakeland North, Lakeland South, Auburn, and Kent have easy access to our studio for dance classes, lessons, and events. We welcome walk-in visitors.
Are you learning or choreographing a group dance number for a special event? We’ll help you with choreography and get your whole group confidently dancing their part.
We also help nervous grooms and brides get ready for a ballroom number or first dance. Arthur Murray Studios have always been the go-to for wedding dance lessons. We can show you why.
You’ll learn to dance in a comfortable atmosphere, to your maximum technical proficiency.
Lessons are structured to fit schedules, to get you ready for the big day. Join us at our Des Moines studio.
Your first steps as a dancer should be to find the style of dance that speaks to you.
Finding the right dance style inspires self-expression.
You’ll find that you move more naturally to particular types of music and movement.
Some examples of the styles and dance classes offered at our Des Moines studio are below.
You’ll find Latin ballroom dancing as well as some distinctly US American styles.
The sweeping, slow tempo of the bolero is the main source of its beauty. It is romantic, emotional, deliberate. There are no foot flicks. Instead, drama is produced by articulating the sweeping rhythms and simply feeling the music. It works well with music that laments, whether it’s a beautiful Spanish guitar or a love song by Whitney Houston or The Cure.
“And-a cha, cha, cha!” That’s just one of the rhythms of this Cuban-born dance. Staccato movements on a steady 4/4 beat. Beginners start by learning to dance on the beat. As skill level progresses, it’s possible to layer more complex patterns and personal flourishes into the steps. The cha-cha is fun and full of personality.
Country songs both traditional and modern inspire the glides, steps, taps, and turns. It’s hard to go wrong with this unique style, with or without cowboy boots.
The Foxtrot is a study in rhythm, figures, and positions. The style is classic and rhythmic, danced to big band or those great ‘50s rock’n’roll records (though the dance has been around since the ‘10s, ‘20s, and ‘30s). History buffs might enjoy this little fact: our fearless founder Arthur Murray is credited with standardizing the style so that it could be taught.
Inspired by classic disco of the ‘70s, the Hustle still finds its soul on the dance floor. These days, the music can be electronica, hip hop, or even post-punk with that underlying disco beat. Turns, spins, and wraps are featured heavily in this dance style.
From the Mambo came the Cha-Cha and Salsa styles. The Afro-Cuban beat of the Mambo inspires high energy and flirtatious partnering. What was that dance that Johnny taught Baby in Dirty Dancing? That’s right – the Mambo.
The Merengue is a style of Dominican dance and music. Dancers keep a steady marching beat and articulate from the core of the body, drawing patterns along the floor.
The Quickstep is just like it sounds – upbeat with brisk footwork. Dancers must look elegant and agile. You’ll need to bring high energy and attention to detail for this light-hearted style.
“Rumba” is an umbrella term for several flavors of music from different regions around the world, but the ballroom Rhumba is based on Afro-Cuban rhythms. The style uses Cuban Motion and steps are similar to the cha-cha, but at a slower pace.
Salsa is a spicy nightclub favorite that combines traditional Latin steps with improvised movements. It’s a sexy evolution of the Cha-Cha and Mambo.
The high energy and soul of Brazil is encapsulated in the Samba. It was on full display during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremonies, and its many regional variants can be seen at the yearly Carnival (Carnaval do Brasil). This is a sexy dance that attracts confidence. And even if you don’t come with confidence, you’ll certainly leave with some.
“Swing” can include styles like the Lindy Hop, Balboa, and the Charleston. The essential character is jazzy and vigorous. No matter the style or speed it’s danced at, swing dancing is contagiously fun.
Gracefully danced at an exhilarating tempo, this is not the slow 1-2-3 that you might expect when you hear “waltz.” This is the Viennese variant, where a fast pace meets poise. This waltz is your opportunity to embody “grace under pressure”!
The tango is yearning and intricate, danced in an embrace. Danced best to sultry or emotional music with a strong beat, this tango is all about partner dynamics. Partners must learn to be sensitive to each other’s steps. Improvisation. Emotion. Unspoken communication. These are the characteristics that bring a tango to life.
Des Moines is situated along Puget Sound midway between Seattle and Tacoma. If the name is familiar, it’s because the city was founded by homesteaders from Des Moines, Iowa. The mostly residential area has great access to the water, making Saltwater State Park the most popular state park in the Puget Sound area. The marina at Des Moines is a central entry point for sailboats. Residents enjoy access to many of the amenities in surrounding areas as well, including the Arthur Murray Dance studio at Federal Way. Join us for ballroom dance!
All of our instructors are skilled dancers who are there to grow your confidence. That means tailoring dance lessons to each individual. Our goal is to guide you toward good technique and always nurturing a positive atmosphere.
Arthur Murray Dance Centers Puget Sound
Come visit our dance studios in Puget Sound, WA and start dancing today! Try Out Our $89 Introductory Program from Washington's leader in dance!
