This video story was reported and produced by Niamh Larkin, with anchor Demi Asensio. The web story was edited and published by Nicole Moradiellos.
A year after COVID-19 struck the world, businesses are finally starting to reopen while practicing safety protocols. Arthur Murray Dance Centers is one of them. Social distancing, mask wearing and online classes are a few ways these dance centers are trying to bring their lessons back to life.
“We’ve gotten really creative and adapted so that we give our students the ability to keep dancing, but in a really safe way,” said Lania Berger, an Arthur Murray franchisee.
Reopened in July, the studio ensured that dance lessons align with the students’ comfort levels. Students can learn through in-person socially distanced lessons, contact lessons while wearing a mask or online until they are ready to return to in-person.
Throughout the pandemic the dance world not only lost in-person contact, but also bringing the community together. Arthur Murray Dance Centers are well-known for hosting gatherings to bridge the gap in communities all over the world.
“Our studio before the pandemic, we were known for our Friday night parties and we would bring in live entertainment. The bar would be hopping. We would have people from all walks of life coming in and social distancing.” Whitstine says.
Despite the new normal, Arthur Murray Dance Centers is continuing to bring communities together through the life of dance.
