Today we’d like to introduce you to Danila Kartashov.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Nuria and I both came to the United States in our early twenties, myself from Russia and Nuria from Spain. We met in New York. Young dancers chasing big dreams. We formed a dance partnership and eventually joined Arthur Murray, starting at the Chatham studio, Nuria as a manager, and me as an instructor. After years of learning and growing, we opened our own studio in Kenilworth in 2009, later moving to Cranford in 2015. What we do is more than teaching steps. We help people transform their lives through dance, from beginners taking their first lesson to couples preparing for a wedding. Some students have been with us for decades. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch someone who once didn’t know a single step now gliding confidently across the ballroom.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. It wasn’t smooth. It was a roller coaster. Running a dance studio is unpredictable. Some days you feel on top of the world, others you’re navigating real headwinds. We’ve trained so many teachers from scratch, poured our hearts into mentoring them, and sometimes watched them move on to open their own studios. That can be bittersweet. When we relocated from Kenilworth to Cranford, it was tough. Many landlords didn’t want a dance studio. Once we showed it was a professional, adult-focused studio, with a boutique feel, chandeliers, high standards, doors started to open. The economy can influence everything, too, but what keeps us grounded is the support of our students. They’ve stood by us and we’re deeply grateful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What we do is help people discover what dancing can add to their lives. From absolute beginners and wedding couples to long-time students who just keep growing. What I’m most proud of is seeing those transformations. We’ve had students with us for over twenty years, and watching them go from hesitant first steps to moving confidently across the ballroom is incredibly fulfilling. I’m also proud of the teachers we’ve mentored, seeing them grow into professionals, some opening their own studios means a lot. What sets us apart is the personal connection. Nuria and I built this business together and we care deeply about the people inside it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
There’s always an element of luck, timing and who you meet. Certain doors opened when we happened to knock. But mostly it was sticking with it, showing up, and caring about people. If you want it even tighter, Luck might’ve nudged a door open, but consistent work and relationships built the studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: arthurmurraycranford>com
