The award-winning 2021 competitive dance season has come to an end and we couldn’t be prouder of our students and our instructors as they’ve danced their way across the country competing and representing Arthur Murray Dance Center in Dayton.
Leaders in adult ballroom dance instruction, we congratulate our 2021 award winners.
Ohio Star Ball – Columbus
Kim Fisher (4th PLACE RHYTHM SILVER & 6TH SMOOTH SILVER)
Andrew Fryman (1ST PLACE RHYTHM)
Superama – Bellagio Resort – Las Vegas
Bob (TOP MALE NEWCOMER) and Becky Belisle
Ann Bockrath (FOURTH PLACE)
Walt (TOP MALE NEWCOMER) and Kathy Hartel
Lynne Workman (FOURTH PLACE)
Craig Johnston (TOP TEACHER)
Northstar Dance-O-Rama – Minneapolis
Fran Duntz (FOURTH PLACE BRONZE)
Indianapolis Open Dancesport Competition
Carol Gould (TOP 20 STUDENTS)
Ann Bockrath (TOP 20 STUDENTS)
Fran Duntz (TOP 20 STUDENTS)
Kali and David Peterson (TOP COUPLE)
Fran Duntz (TOP OVERALL STUDENT)
Amanda Horn (TOP TEACHER)
Craig Johnston (TOP TEACHER)
Top Studio
Columbus Ballroom Challenge – Columbus
Steve Rose (TOP BRONZE MALE)
Top Studio
Unique Dance-O-Rama – Irvine
Andrew Fryman (TOP NEWCOMER MALE – in his division)
Craig and Margerete Jennings (TOP COUPLE)
Craig Jennings (TOP NEWCOMER MALE – in his division)
Michael LaCaze (TOP ASSOCIATE BRONZE MALE)
Michigan Dance Challenge – Columbus
Lynne Workman and Craig Johnston (3RD PLACE CLOSED RHYTHM)
Fran Duntz (TOP 20 STUDENTS)
Steve Rose (FIRST PLACE IN MULTIPLE EVENTS)
Craig Johnston (TOP TEACHER)
Texas Dance-O-Rama – Austin
Steve Rose (TOP BRONZE MALE)
Bob and Becky Belisle (TOP NEWCOMERS)
Craig Johnston (TOP TEACHER)
Overseeing our traveling competitive team are Amanda Horn (Instructor), Craig Johnston (Instructor and Dance Director), and Barbara Haller (co-owner).
Amanda Horn was born and raised in Eaton, Ohio. As a child she took classes in tap, ballet, and jazz. As an adult she took salsa lessons and always loved to go out dancing, but never thought about pursuing it as a career. She was working in the food industry when she met Barbara Haller, whom offered her a job on the spot!
Amanda’s favorite part of her career is hearing people say how dancing has changed their lives, as it has certainly changed hers!
Craig Johnston was born and raised in Scotland, U.K. He started his dance training at the age of 7. At 16 he was offered a scholarship to London Studio Centre, a top theatre college in London. His passion for dance has allowed him to travel extensively around the world, from stage shows to Dance Captain onboard Celebrity Cruises. Craig moved to Nashville, TN in 2013 to continue his career. He recently relocated to Dayton, OH where he is currently Dance Director at the Arthur Murray Dance Center.
Barbara Haller and her husband Tim are four-time United States Professional Ballroom Theatrical Arts Champions, with an impressive competitive and performance career. Despite their many awards, Barbara Haller states their greatest pleasure is in seeing how the dance experience at Arthur Murray alters people’s lives in such a positive way. While the Arthur Murray Dance Studios have been operating for 100 years, Tim and Barbara Haller are pleased to note that the Dayton Franchise has been operating continuously since 1946.
Fun and fitness go hand in hand with ballroom dancing in Dayton. If you are interested in the benefits of adult dance lessons in Dayton or competitive amateur dancing, contact us today!