John Almeida, Franchisee

John's history with Arthur Murray Dance Studio began in 1975 as a 19 year old in Yonkers, N.Y.. Taking lessons to impress a girl. He soon was invited to the studio's teacher training program.

In 1979, he was promoted to manager of a new Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Danbury, CT. John purchased the studio in 1983 and operated it successfully for 10 years. It's now being owned and operated by his younger daughter Nicole.

In 1993 John and Lisa fell in love with Arizona while on vacation and in August of that year purchased the franchise in Scottsdale. The studio has been operating in Scottsdale since the 1960's and now is one of the top fifty Arthur Murray Dance Studio's out of over 230 worldwide. The Scottsdale Arthur Murray Dance Studio was honored in 2006 & 2007 with Studio of the Year Award by Arthur Murray International, Inc.   Lisa, now operates the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Mesa, AZ.

Jim Dorholt

At the height of the Big Band Swing Era of the 1930s and ‘40s, Johnny Doran managed the bustling Arthur Murray Studio in Chicago. Johnny's dance career was sidelined due to an injury in WWII but it didn't stop him from teaching his entire family the Arthur Murray Way upon his return to Minneapolis. "I was born into the Arthur Murray way of dance," remarks Jim Dorholt. "My Uncle Johnny taught the whole family. For us, swing and mambo are as much a holiday staple as cake and ice cream." Jim's Uncle Johnny instilled in him a love for music and dance that would become a dual career. Johnny noticed a keen sense of rhythm in his nephew and insisted he have a set of drums at age 5. Jim still plays drums, guitar and writes his own songs. He has been a fixture of the Phoenix music scene for over 20 years and was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2006.

In 1983, looking to put his dance skills to work, Jim signed on at the Arthur Murray Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona. The studio was then owned by Arthur Murray legends Jacques and Roz DeBeve. Arthur Murray champions, Steve and Georgetta Platt were also in the organization as was future 12-time U.S. rhythm champion Bob Powers. Jim soaked up the expertise of this esteemed staff and became a nationally recognized top teacher in each of his first three years. Jim was promoted to manager of the studio and did so until 1990 when he decided to become involved in raising his daughter Alex, and playing music.

Jim returned to Scottsdale Arthur Murray in 1993 as studio counselor for new owners John and Lisa Almeida. His role in the studio is to train new staff on the Arthur Murray system of dance, teaching and customer service and to oversee the new student department, helping new dancers embark on a course that is just right for them. Keeping with family tradition, Jim's wife Jere, and daughter Alex have learned the Arthur Murray Way and are beautiful dancers themselves.

Janelle Call

It all began several years ago at a nightclub in Santiago, Chile, where Janelle was introduced to Salsa and Merengue. Having danced from age 3, she was taken away with the tropical trend of Latin dancing rather quickly. It didn’t take long for her interest to expand into other partner dancing, including ballroom. Janelle has been part of Arthur Murray Scottsdale since 2005 and is dedicated to bringing the same fun and enjoyment she finds in dancing to everyone. She continues to pursue her dance interest and participates in various professional competitions. Outside the studio, her interests turn to music, hiking, baking, and spending time with the coolest kid in the world…her daughter.

Kristine Santiago

Kristine, born and raised in New York, began dancing at the early age of six but quickly found herself in the world of theatre. Up until college, she spent her time perfecting her craft and performing in shows but still carried the love for music and dance with her. Unsatisfied with theatre, Kristine decided to take a break and focused on her studies while attending St. John's University. After graduation she moved to Arizona to be closer to her family and through her College  Graduate transition she "stumbled" across Ballroom Dancing at Arthur Murray where she immediately felt at home. Kristine is really excited to be a part of the Arthur Murray family and to help others find their joy in dancing.

Christos Anastasopoulos

Christos started his dancing career at the early age of six. Since then, he has studied and taught many forms of dance. Ballroom dancing is his passion. 

He soon found a home with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Scottsdale as a Dance Specialist. His favorite part of being an Arthur Murray specialist is introducing students to the wonderful, elegant, and passionate world of ballroom dancing. As a program specialist, Christos excels at introducing the world of ballroom and social dance to new students. He has quickly established himself as one of the best in the business at getting our new students started on the right foot.

 Mark Joseph Gorton

Mark began dancing when he started walking. Whether it was big production musicals or pop music videos, he always had something to inspire him to move. He has had a love for choreographed dancing since he was young and never turns down an opportunity to perform. Ballroom dancing was something that Mark was new to but fell in love with very quickly. He hopes to inspire the love for dancing that he has obtained over the years, in others at Arthur Murray.

Oliver Hilcove

Oliver was born in South Africa and grew up in Canada. His interests are Extreme Sports related. To name a few he likes Snow Boarding, Speed Skiing, Wake boarding, Parachuting, Water Ski Rampiung, Grapling (Judo etc.) Oliver also enjoys writing his own music for Piano. Around the studio Oliver is known for being fully committed to anything and everything dance related. He has been with Arthur Murray since 2003.

Freddie Maese

Freddie is a native to the Arizona sun and, originally from the small miner town of Morenci, He made his way to the Phoenix area in the mid 80's. He has a long standing background and appreciation for all of the arts. Over the years he has made his way through music performance, drama & theatre, and dance. Freddie finds his home in the arts because it gives one a means of expression and celebration of the human spirit. Freddie has been dancing for a great deal of his life, but found a home at Arthur Murray in April of 2008. Ballroom provides a wonderful outlet where he is able to combine his celebration of expression with the beauty, grace, and poise of the smooth dances in addition to the character, style, and flare of the more rhythmic dances; while celebrating sense of self through movement.

Laura Graham

Laura has had a love of dance (and all forms of creative expression) for as long as she can remember. Laura's dancing career began in her early childhood with classical training in ballet, tap, and jazz. She continued to dance throughout her teens and further expanded her love of performing into the world musical theatre. While in college, Laura took up belly dancing "just for fun" and later began performing.

Yoga is also one of her passions. In 2007, she attended the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, and received her yoga teacher certification. Laura also holds a BA from ASU. After graduating, she decided to return to her dream of pursuing dance professionally and that's when she found Arthur Murray.

"I just love physical forms of creative expression and finding new ways to explore the mind, body, spirit connection. For me, dance is like meditation in motion."

Laura enjoys helping others, "'Go confidently in the direction of their dreams and to live the life they imagine.'"

 Lynn Brown

Lynn has always had a love for dance! Since the age of three she has trained and competed in several forms of dance including ballet, tap, and jazz, which led to a scholarship and teaching position at her studio. During her senior year of high school she was elected team choreographer for the Westside Dance Team. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, she moved to Phoenix and joined the Arthur Murray family where she quickly found her passion for ballroom dancing.  With a great deal of patience and a love for teaching, Lynn finds it extremely rewarding to help others achive their dreams on the dance floor!