Competitive Ballroom Dances

Standard Dances

Waltz
Waltz might be the most popular dance of all time, since it is considered the forerunner of popular social dancing. The Waltz is a very common dance all around the world. Waltz music is romantic and lilting, distinguished by its one-two-three tempo (three beats of music per measure). Waltz is characterized by a rise and fall action, and is very commonly danced at weddings and other social events. We offer introductory Foxtrot lessons through our Drop-in Ballroom I and II classes.

Tango
Born in the West Indies, stylized by the gauchos of Argentina, simmered in the brothels of Buenos Aires and transported to the elegant salons of Paris, the Tango is a highly stylized dance characterized by dramatic stalking actions, staccato head movements, and its contrast of stillness and speed.

Foxtrot
The foxtrot is the nation’s most popular dance, and a standard ballroom dance the world over. It is truly American in origin, invented in 1913 by Harry Fox, a star in the Ziegfield Follies. The foxtrot is characterized by smooth, gliding steps that progress around the ballroom floor. Foxtrot music can be smooth or swingy, Big Band style or contemporary. Foxtrot is the classic dance for wedding receptions and social events.  We offer introductory Foxtrot lessons through our Drop-in Ballroom I and II classes.

Viennese Waltz
Developed in Southern Germany in the 17th century, the Viennese Waltz blossomed to the music of Johann Strauss. Viennese Waltz is a fast paced version of the slow Waltz, characterized by rotational, progressive and dynamic movement accompanied by leg and body swing.

Quickstep
The name quickstep was adopted for the quick foxtrot, as the foxtrot music became slower and slower. Quickstep music is up-tempo and lively, and the dance is characterized by a variety of hops, skips, lock steps and chassés, requiring significant skill on the part of the dancer. The quickstep was also influenced by the Charleston, and contains some of the Charleston’s bounce and fancy foot patterns.

Latin Dances

Cha Cha Cha
An exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950′s, the Cha Cha is probably the most popular social Latin dance in America. The infectious, syncopated rhythm of the cha-cha-cha makes the dance a hit with young and old alike.  We offer introductory Cha Cha Cha lessons through our Introduction to Latin Dancing classes.

Samba

Rhumba
The rhumba is a slow and romantic Latin dance inspired by African rhythms and Latin melodies, and characterized by sensual hip and leg movements. Danced in one place, the rhumba shows off the couple’s skill through flirtatious interplay between man and lady.

Paso Doble
Paso Doble is a dramatic French-Spanish, Flamenco-style march danced in 2/4 time. The dance of the bullfight, the Paso Doble is an exhibition-style dance where the man represents the matador and the lady his cape.

Jive

Smooth

Waltz
Waltz might be the most popular dance of all time, since it is considered the forerunner of popular social dancing. The Waltz is a very common dance all around the world. Waltz music is romantic and lilting, distinguished by its one-two-three tempo (three beats of music per measure). Waltz is characterized by a rise and fall action, and is very commonly danced at weddings and other social events. We offer introductory Foxtrot lessons through our Drop-in Ballroom I and II classes.

Tango
Born in the West Indies, stylized by the gauchos of Argentina, simmered in the brothels of Buenos Aires and transported to the elegant salons of Paris, the Tango is a highly stylized dance characterized by dramatic stalking actions, staccato head movements, and its contrast of stillness and speed.

Foxtrot
The foxtrot is the nation’s most popular dance, and a standard ballroom dance the world over. It is truly American in origin, invented in 1913 by Harry Fox, a star in the Ziegfield Follies. The foxtrot is characterized by smooth, gliding steps that progress around the ballroom floor. Foxtrot music can be smooth or swingy, Big Band style or contemporary. Foxtrot is the classic dance for wedding receptions and social events.  We offer introductory Foxtrot lessons through our Drop-in Ballroom I and II classes.

Viennese Waltz
Developed in Southern Germany in the 17th century, the Viennese Waltz blossomed to the music of Johann Strauss. Viennese Waltz is a fast paced version of the slow Waltz, characterized by rotational, progressive and dynamic movement accompanied by leg and body swing.

Rhythm

Cha Cha Cha
An exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950′s, the Cha Cha is probably the most popular social Latin dance in America. The infectious, syncopated rhythm of the cha-cha-cha makes the dance a hit with young and old alike.  We offer introductory Cha Cha Cha lessons through our Drop-in Introduction to Latin Dancing classes.

Rhumba
The rhumba is a slow and romantic Latin dance inspired by African rhythms and Latin melodies, and characterized by sensual hip and leg movements. Danced in one place, the rhumba shows off the couple’s skill through flirtatious interplay between man and lady.

Swing

Bolero
A slow Latin dance which originated as a form of Rhumba, and still shares many of the same figures. Bolero differs from Rhumba in its style of movement.

Mambo
The Mambo was born in Cuba, and is characterized by exciting rhythms, playful interactions and Latin-style hip motion. A unique feature of the Mambo is that the dancer holds the first beat in every measure. Most of the movements emphasize the second beat in the measure, suggestive of the Clave rhythm, which is fundamental to Mambo music.