When Bentura Madrid talks about his nearly 20 years in dance, his eyes light up with passion. The owner of Arthur Murray Dance Studio Albuquerque said he was initially drawn to salsa for its energy and excitement. When he began classes at the Arthur Murray studio in 2007, he quickly picked it up and discovered how much joy it brought him.
“I was embarrassed and nervous at first—you know, everything new students feel,” Madrid said. “But through the training and the process, it started getting easier. I fell in love with it. I could also see how dance made other people happy, and I knew I wanted to do it as a career.”
Madrid continued his training and soon became an instructor. The Albuquerque studio is part of the Arthur Murray franchise, founded by the ballroom dancer and entrepreneur. Today, it is one of the world’s largest and most established dance studio networks, with more than 300 locations in 22 countries. Each studio is independently owned and led by former instructors who have worked their way up, helping maintain the company’s long-standing commitment to making dance accessible to everyone.
The New Mexico studio offers around 40 different partner dances, including salsa, ballroom, and country western, as well as training for competitive dancers. Many clients come to prepare for weddings, quinceañeras, or get help with choreography. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average participant was around 60 years old. Dancers now range from their 20s to well into their 80s, including one student who continued lessons until the age of 99.
With a staff of nine, the studio provides between 80 and 100 lessons each week. When instructors aren’t teaching, they’re training. Fridays turn into lively dance parties, where dapper couples and singles practice their moves or enjoy date night.
Madrid took over the New Mexico studio in 2022 after the longtime owners, who had established the Albuquerque franchise in 1949, decided to sell.
He discovered The Loan Fund through an online search and was drawn to its values and mission, especially as a Latino small business owner. The organization is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that supports entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank financing.
“They made me feel comfortable. Other places were too busy,” Madrid said. “It felt more family-friendly and flexible. It just felt like home.”