Instructors

Shall We Dance? Houston is currently interviewing potential dance instructors. If you are interested in applying, please submit your resume to us by e-mail to samarvidson@shallwedancehouston.com

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Sam Arvidson, Co-Owner, Dance Director

Sam began dancing and ice skating at age 3. By age 7, he was performing professionally with dance companies. At age 11, he came in 4^th in the Junior Olympics in Men's Figure Skating. A knee injury forced Sam to give up his skating career and concentrate on his main love - dancing. (You'll see in some of his routines moves that are "borrowed" from skating!) Sam attended the Duke Ellington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Washington, D.C., and has danced with the Washington Ballet, the Denmark Ballet and the Thai Ballet. Sam has taught Ballroom dance, and trained instructors for Fred Astaire Dance Studios where he is a certified Gold instructor. Sam dances and competes in Ballroom as well as Country Western. Among his many titles are:

2004 & 2006 Star Award Winner, Favorite Couple of the Year

2003 Dallas Dance Festival Masters Showcase Champion

2003 New Orleans Dance Mardi Gras Masters Showcase Champion

2003 UCWDC World Couples Showcase Grand Champion

Sam teaches Ballroom, Country Western, Swing, Hip-Hop, Breakdancing, Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Sam is responsible for the hiring and training of all the instructors for Shall We Dance? Houston. Sam is available to set up a teacher training program or to train teachers for other dance studios. Sam is currently competing in the UCWDC Masters Showcase division (highest level of competition) with his wife, Mona. Sam and Mona are event directors of the UCWDC Arizona Dance Classic, the Baltimore Bash, the Orlando Dance Challenge and the Sunshine State Dance Festival. Sam is a UCWDC Regional Representative for the South Central Region and is a member of the Rules Committee.

Mona Arvidson, Co-Owner

Mona has over 30 years of dance training in her background including Country Western, ballet, jazz, tap, point, aerobics and gymnastics. Mona has taught Country Western for 10 years, and has taught ballet, tap and jazz to children and adults. Mona has competed in Country Western and Ballroom competitions. Titles include:

2006 UCWDC World Line Showcase Grand Champion

2005 UCWDC World Line Classic Grand Champion

2004 & 2006 Star Award Winner, Favorite Couple of the Year

2003 Dallas Dance Festival Masters Showcase Champion

2003 New Orleans Dance Mardi Gras Masters Showcase Champion

2003 UCWDC World Couples Showcase Grand Champion

2001 UCWDC World Couples Division II Showcase Champion

2000 UCWDC World Couples Division III Showcase Champion

Mona is currently competing in the UCWDC Masters Showcase division (highest level of couples competition) with her husband Sam, and also in the UCWDC Superstars division (highest level of line dance competition). Mona is the first person ever to qualify and compete in both of these top levels of competition in Couples and Line. Mona and Sam are event directors of the UCWDC Arizona Dance Classic, the Baltimore Bash, the Orlando Dance Challenge and the Sunshine State Dance Festival. Mona is the Secretary and the Business Team Chairman of the UCWDC. Mona received her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Houston in December of 1998.