Everyone in Arthur Murray, and anyone in her company, can tell right away that Vickie Venka is a fantastic dance coach. Within minutes, people then realize it goes beyond that.
Vickie is a dance doctor.
She can diagnose, and treat, any dance ailment. Her prescriptions are written out on pink sheets of notepaper. Look through the programs of top Arthur Murray students around the globe, and you will find more than a few. Aside from the pink, the only “undoctor-like” thing about her is her wonderful handwriting.
Vickie Venka: Arthur Murray Consultant And Dance Doctor
AML: First off, it’s an honor to sit and chat with you.
VV: Thank you.
AML: So, how long have you been with Arthur Murray’s?
VV: 50 years
Fifty years. Let that sink in. That’s half a century of teaching, coaching, traveling, and helping dancers become the best versions of themselves. What were you doing 50 years ago? (If you weren’t born yet – that’s exactly the point.)
AML: Where are you from and how did you eventually get started working for the company?
VV: Oslo, Norway. I was imported to become an Arthur Murray teacher. My sister came first to work at the Los Angeles Arthur Murray. Her boss sponsored me to come over.
AML: Ron Christy was just here and he mentioned that this job “found him.” What were you doing right before taking this job? (Other jobs, etc.)
VV: I was a school girl and to get visas in those days, you had to get a sponsor. At the time, it took 2 years to get a visa. While waiting for my visa, I worked as a receptionist for 2 years.
AML: Were there any obstacles you had to overcome to make it work?
VV: No, just waiting for my visa. It was a little less scary having a sister who had already come, but I was a little scared, being alone, but I managed. I cruised over from Norway to NY then took a train to Los Angeles. But I managed.
Think about that journey for a moment. A young woman from Oslo, crossing the Atlantic by ship, then taking a train across an unfamiliar country – all to teach people how to dance. That’s commitment.
AML: Can you describe what the dancing was like at that time?
VV: In Norway, it was nowhere, if we are talking about Latin dancing. Smooth, or Standard, as we called it, was wonderful. I danced that from the age of 9 and competed in my teens and basically fell in love with it that way.
From Competition Winner to Legendary Coach
AML: Let’s throw modesty out the window for a second. Name some accomplishments in our company that you’re incredibly proud of.
VV: Pause… I did my Bronze certification in three weeks, my silver in three months, my gold in one year and my judges in two years. Then won the “All American Award” which is equivalent to “All Stars.”
Three weeks for Bronze. Three months for Silver. One year for Gold. That progression is remarkable – and it wasn’t because she had some natural advantage. It was because of what comes next.
AML: Who encouraged you?
VV: Me. I’m self motivated and I have always been. I’ve always liked to be good at things and get better.
There it is. The secret sauce. Self-motivation. Not waiting for someone else to push you. Not needing external validation to keep going. Just a relentless internal drive to improve.
AML: That’s great
VV: It helped to have good partners. I competed with Walter Sorenson and won at the Ohio Star Ball.
AML: What did competitive dancing do for you?
VV: It was inspirational. It gave me confidence. I was winning right away, but it taught me hard work. I came in early and stayed late to study. I lived, breathed, and ate dancing.
In fact, this is the recipe for excellence in any field. Early mornings. Late nights. Total immersion. The wins came – but they came from the work, not the other way around.
Why Every Student Should Experience a Dance-O-Rama
AML: On that same note, why do you think people should go to a Dance-O-Rama?
VV: Oh my goodness, it’s the best way to learn. When they go to a Dance-O-Rama, a few things happen:
- They put forth the effort to prepare so they try harder and their dancing gets better.
- Once they get there, they get inspired. They see that anyone can do it. Young, old, any age can do it.
- Being in that environment gives you a thrill. They get confident.
Notice the order there. First comes effort. Then comes inspiration. Then comes confidence. The confidence doesn’t come first – it’s earned through the process of preparing and showing up.
AML: So how often are you making someone blush during your travels?
VV: I can make almost anyone blush, and I have, and… I love to do it. People blush for many reasons. Sometimes, they’re embarrassed, sometimes they’re proud.
The Story Behind the Pink Paper
AML: The pink notepaper. What is it and how did that get started?
VV: I started taking notes because I couldn’t remember everything on the lessons. Then I would give the notes to the teachers. They started thanking me and said that it was so helpful. So that I realized it would be a good thing to do. One time, I bought a pink note pad and everyone loved it, so I decided that that would be my thing. Pink paper and purple pen. (Although sometimes I can’t always find purple pens.)
A simple solution to a simple problem – and it became her signature. Students across the Arthur Murray world treasure those pink notes. They’re not just reminders of technique – they’re proof that Vickie Venka took the time to help you get better.
AML: Yeah we’ve got a lot of students who cherish their pink papers and feel proud to have them in their notebooks
AML: If there was a dance that you could force everyone to have on their program, what would it be? Why?
VV: Merengue. Of course, you know that I think Cuban Motion is important, so merengue is the easiest dance to learn it. It seems like people think it’s boring, but it’s so important.
This is expert-level advice. Merengue often gets overlooked because it seems “basic” – but that’s exactly why it matters. It’s the foundation where you develop the hip action that makes every other Latin dance look better.
AML: What’s a phrase you find yourself saying on a typical day of coachings?
VV: “That’s Great! You’re going to be so good, do that again!” Encouragement is the name of the game. Also, I tell the teachers to slow down a lot.
The Wisdom of 50 Years
AML: OK, give us the scoop on Chris & Daisey.
VV: I can tell you the first time I met Daisey. I came into the San Jose studio and Chris and Daisey asked me for a lesson. I felt they were the most amazingly talented couple in dancing in a long time. They were smart and also enthusiastic. A little while later Daisey got the studio in Hayward and I was traveling to that studio all the time.
AML: The new season of Dancing with the Stars is here. Name a celebrity that you’d love to see participate on a future season.
VV: I don’t get a chance to see the show very much, but, I would say, my favorite person who has been on the show is Mario Lopez. I think he really earned it.
Rapid Fire Questions
AML: The best dish from your hometown
VV: Kjoott Kake and Jingon berries
AML: Is it true that you have yodeled on occasion while coaching in Hayward
VV: I’ve done it.
AML: If you had to choose one benefit to yodeling, what would it be?
VV: We did it in the forest while picking berries to know where everyone was.
AML: Favorite school figure of all time
VV: Medio Corte
AML: What advice would you give to a newer student out there who is having a tough time remembering their material?
VV: Exchange lessons help give different perspectives and split lessons really help for couples. But you have to write it down: Repetition, Repetition, repetition.
AML: …and maybe on a pink piece of paper.
What Can We Learn From Vickie’s Journey?
Vickie Venka crossed an ocean to find her calling. She didn’t have GPS, cell phones, or video chat to stay connected with home. She had courage, a sister who paved the way, and an unshakeable belief that dancing was worth the sacrifice.
Fifty years later, she’s still traveling, still teaching, and still handing out pink notes to dancers who need them. That’s what happens when you find something you love and refuse to let it go.
The next time you’re feeling stuck in your dance progress, remember Vickie’s advice: Repetition, repetition, repetition. And if you’re lucky enough to get a lesson with her – keep that pink paper. It means something.
