Mychael James - Co-Owner/Franchisee

Mychael James grew up in the Ballroom Dance World. At age 9, he began dancing and training with a Romanian Dance Champion, Henia Lynn; as he developed as a dancer and instructor, Mychael continued his training with top dancers, such as, Ron Montez and Jenell Maranto. He began teaching at age 17, and found the love of improving people's lives through dancing. At age 20, he became a part Arthur Murray, where he won multiple Top Teacher and Top Executive awards. Below are some of his dancing, teaching and studio honors Mychael has received from 1999 - Present Day.

• Eight Time 1st Place Top Teacher
• Six Time Top Executive
• American Smooth Pro/AM Scholarship Champion
• American Rhythm Professional Finalist
• International Standard Pro/AM Finalist
• International/Latin Professional Finalist

Candee Martinez - James Co-Owner/Franchisee

Candee Martinez-James has been performing different forms of dances in many theaters and venues since she was a young child. Candee comes from a family of all types of performing artists, so you could say she grew up in the business of performing arts! From ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, choreography, to swing, latin and country western. Candee continued her love for dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in 2001. Before opening the Arrowhead Arthur Murray School of Dance, she has worked her way up from being a Top Female Instructor to a Top Female Executive. To this day, Candee is still achieving Top Executive Awards, and is recognized and respected as one of the top franchisees.

Candee's students have won many awards, such as:

• 1st Place Top Routine
• Finalist in all divisions
• Top Student Awards

Candee has also won many honors in the Arthur Murray Industry, such as:

• Top Female Instructor 2002, 2003, 2004
• Top Executive Awards 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• Finalist in American Rhythm
• Finalist in International Latin

Laura Cotton-Supervisor

With her B.A. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, Laura is able to combine her degree and her passion for music, dance, and fitness through teaching ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray. She is also known for getting students in-shape through the successful Core Rhythms cardio workout program. Laura was ranked second Top Specialist in Arthur Murray’s Tournament of Champions in 2010. She was recognized in Arthur Murray’s Global Teaching Challenge in 2009 and 2010, through the use of diverse teaching methods and motivation among her students. With her professional partner, Nick Manzo, Laura currently holds the title of Arthur Murray Rising Star Smooth Champion, Washington National Dance-O-Rama Open Professional Smooth Champion, and is a consistant Open Professional Smooth finalist. Laura hopes to help change more lives through the art of dance, like it has changed hers.

Nick Manzo - Instructor

Nick Manzo began teaching with Arthur Murray in 2008, and has quickly became one of Arthur Murray’s top instructors! Through hard work and dedication, Nick has received top instructor awards in 2009 and 2010. Nick was also given the 2009 Top Twenty Specialist Award and a 2009 Star Performance Award. He is currently Number One Instructor in Arthur Murray. Nick has also had students finish 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place in Associate Bronze all-around championships, and had a student receive a Top Newcomer Award. Nick’s personal dancing has also escaladed quickly with his partner Laura Cotton. In 2009, they won the Future Champions Smooth at the Unique Dance-O-Rama Championships. In 2010, Nick and Laura became open finalists at Hula-Rama, Boston Dance-O-Rama, and the Northstar Dance-O-Rama. In October 2010, Nick and Laura became Arthur Murray’s Rising Star Champions and Open finalists. One month later, they won their first Open competition.

Bonnie Yuen – Instructor

Bonnie Yuen became a part of Arthur Murray in the summer of 2009. With 9 years of dance studies and experiences, she is very knowledgeable in a wide variety of dances, including: jazz, lyrical, contemporary, choreography, hip hop/break dancing, and more. Bonnie danced for the 2007-2008 WNBA Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad and the 2008 season of AFL Rattlers Sidewinders dance team. She was also involved in local dance crews, Epik Dance Co. and Female Prophecy, and performed and competed all over the valley. Bonnie has been teaching since she was 17 years old, and is wonderful with students of all ages! She is very passionate about changing lives through the art of dance. One day, she hopes to open YOUR eyes to the beautiful world of dance! She is currently competing in American Rhythm, and was a finalist in the Arthur Murray Future Champions division.

Denise Prado - Dance Specialist

Denise Prado started dancing ballet, jazz, and tap at the age of 3, and performed until the age of 13. At the age of 17, she re-discovered her love for dancing when she signed up for her first ballroom lesson. From there, she competed at a high level Pro-Am division in all four styles of ballroom. Some of her accomplishments include: U.S. 9-Dance Champion, Ohio Star Ball’s Best of the Best Champion, and U.S.Pro-Am Rising Star Champion in Rhythm and Smooth. Some of her coaches include: Tony Dovolani and Louie Van Amstel of Dancing With the Stars, and Toni Redpath of So You Think You Can Dance. Her Journey as an instructor is just beginning, and she is so excited to share her love and passion for the exquisite art of dance. Denise has been ranked in the Top 20 Specialist division in the world!