At the heart of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Montclair is Kathryn Hammitt, who much like Arthur Murray himself learned to dance as a way to overcome shyness.

The award-winningdancer and her team of expert instructors are continuing Murray’s legacy of teaching people how to dance. Some come for the health benefits, others to prepare for a wedding. But all leave having had fun with new friends.

“Dancing is good for you for so many reasons,” said Hammitt. “It also allows you to interact with people of all walks of life and make new friends. Dancing is an escape from the daily stresses of life and, best of all, is fun.”

Hammitt, who began her dancing career at an early age, says she wanted to find a way to give back and help others learn not only how to dance but to overcome the selfconsciousness that most people have being in the public eye and especially

on the dance floor.

Dancing, she says, can also help improve a person’s cardiovascular system, increase muscle tone and shrink the waistline. It teaches strength, balance, flexibility, control, agility and speed while increasing creativity, energy and confidence.

Many couples who have come to the Hammitt’s Arthur Murray Dance Studio have gained fun and enjoyment, increased self-confidence, overcome shyness, received admiration from others at wedding receptions and acquired more grace and poise, she said.

For more information, call Hammitt at 909-920- 3066. The Arthur Murray Dance Studio is at 8660 Central Ave., Suite A, in Montclair.