Dance Instruction in Albany

The Wedding Dance

ABOVE AND BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL

When Laura Murphy and Bret Burghdurf began planning for their August 2008 wedding, they wanted a first dance that was above and beyond the traditional. Since taking classes at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, they’ll be able to present a fully choreographed first dance number.

From the spacious dance floor of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Fayetteville, the couple shows off their new moves. The spontaneity and chemistry follows them off the dance floor. "This way, we’ll look good anywhere we go", explains Laura. Bret smiles and adds, "well, we already do." They also learned the basics of the cha cha, rumba, tango and foxtrot along with some high energy swing steps, so they can add drama to any dance occasion.

While the national franchise of Fred Astaire Dance Studios has recently celebrated it’s 60^th anniversary, the local branch in Fayetteville opened in November 2006 under the experienced direction of husband and wife team, Karina Moskaleva and Vladislav Ivanov, of Russia and Natalia Oreshkina, of Moldova. All are prize-winning ballroom dancers in their home countries as well as the US, and are certified instructors with experience teaching all ages and skill levels, the satisfying art of dance. It’s no wonder young couples, looking to impress and literally "have a ball" at their wedding, head to their studio.

However, the recently engaged aren’t the only ones who enjoy the benefits of dancing at Fayetteville’s newest dance studio. John and Maureen Goodman strut their stuff on the floor to a lively swing tune; an activity they have been enjoying for over 50 years. The couple actually met at a dancing school in the suburbs of North London. John quotes the exact year as 1952. After relating his tale of embarrassment at a high school dance, he explains their first encounter at the dancing school. "My wife picked me up," he says with a sideways grin at Maureen. In the 50’s, dancing was a common social event, and has played a part in their relationship ever since, from their wedding day, and beyond their 50^th anniversary. Decades after learning, they grace the floor with practiced, but flirtatious ease. Maureen laughs as she explains that even after teaching their own children, enjoying years of dance-floor escapades and even once owning a dance hall, she and John came to Fred Astaire to relearn the jive. The couple enjoyed meeting a whole new group of local dancers, and they continue to reap the health benefits of the activity across a lifetime.

Whether you’re engaged, or have been married for half a century, dancing together boosts the spirits, creates new connections, and races the heart in more than one way. The Fred Astaire dance studio can help you learn this art, so you can look good anywhere you go and have fun in the process, whether it’s for one dance after the " I do’s" or for the rest of your life together.