dances we teach
ballroom dance styles, music, and history
A good dancer can dance with anyone, any time, and to any music, which is why we believe in developing well-rounded dancers. Fortunately, we have a great system of interrelated teaching that makes learning to dance to multiple styles extremely easy and fun.
With so many dances to choose from, there is a dance for everybody! Check out the dances below to learn a little more about the different styles we teach and what makes each dance unique!
ballroom
Waltz
Considered the mother of all ballroom dances, Waltz is a timeless dance featuring the classic “box” step. Danced to music in 3/4 time, the Waltz is an elegant dance to enjoy at any occasion. Famous Waltz songs include Journey’s “Open Arms” and Norah Jones’ “Come Away with Me.”
Tango
Originating in Buenos Aires, Tango is the romantic icon for passion, intensity, and skill. Including the styles of Argentine Tango, Tango Vals & Milonga, these dances are great for learning beautiful foot and leg action and great lead and follow skills. Films such at “Scent of a Woman” and “True Lies” feature this beautiful style.
viennese waltz
The most romantic of all the ballroom styles, the Viennese Waltz originated in Vienna Austria. It’s fast, whirling movements make it the picture of elegance as dancers move gracefully across the floor. While commonly danced in competition to the music style of Johann Strauss, some of the most famous love ballads such as Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” are Viennese waltz.
foxtrot
Danced most commonly to Jazz standards and Big Band music, the FoxTrot is a great dance for beginners. It’s moderate pace allows for easy conversation and great social dance for weddings and cruises. Notable artists include Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, and Michael Bublé.
quickstep
This fast-paced, ballroom dance features hops, skips, and runs down the floor without ever leaving a dance hold. While most commonly done for show or competition, the Quickstep is a great dance for exercise and agility. Famous songs include Bobby Darin’s “I’m Sittin’ On Top Of The World” and Nat King Cole’s “Let’s Face The Music And Dance”.
latin
cha cha
Originally called the Triple Mambo, the Cha Cha first became popular in the 1950s. This fun, carefree dance is still one of the most popular Latin dances today. With its characteristic, “two-three cha-cha-cha” rhythm, the Cha Cha can be danced to a variety of music from Santana to Michael Jackson and everything in between.
bachata
This dance, originally from the Dominican Republic, has swept its way through the world and is often viewed in Salsa clubs at the “slow dance.” Although most commonly danced to artists like Aventura and Prince Royce, the Bachata is a great party dance that can also be done to most top 40 Rock n’ Roll music.
rumba
Often referred to as “the kitchen dance,” as it takes up so little room you can dance it in your kitchen, the Rumba is the ultimate slow dance. Famous for its Latin hip movements called Cuban Motion, it’s idealized for its romantic look and feel. The Rumba is the perfect slow dance everyone can enjoy. Examples of Rumba songs include, “Besame Mucho,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”
mambo
The foundation of Salsa and Cha Cha, the Mambo remains a popular Latin dance for those who love a challenge. This dance had its beginnings in the 1940s when American Jazz and Afro-Cuban beats combined. The Mambo is seen in famous films such as, “Dirty Dancing” and “West Side Story.”
samba
Made famous by Carmen Miranda, the Samba is often referred to as the “Brazilian Waltz.” This fun, upbeat dance is an excellent exercise. It’s great for tightening up the core and learning different rhythms. Famous Sambas include Sergio Mendes “Magalenha” and Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita.” If you’re looking for a street style Samba, we also offer lessons in Samba de Gafieira.
salsa
Known for its fast-paced tempo and spins, this quintessential Latin dance is often seen at clubs, family parties, and anytime there is Latin music. As Salsa differs in style across the world (ie LA Style, Mambo, Cumbia,) we stay up-to-date on differing trends so that no matter where you go, you can dance. Artists like Marc Anthony and Celia Cruz have made this dance a staple.
bolero
Slower than the Rumba, the Bolero is a very smooth, sophisticated dance. It teaches good balance, strong leg lines, and a great attention to your partner. Perhaps the most intimate of the Latin dances, Bolero is a great challenge for taking your dancing to the next level. Popular Bolero songs include Celine Dion’s “Falling into You” and Paul Carrack’s “Satisfy my Soul.”
merengue
The ultimate party dance, Merengue was said to be invented in the Dominican Republic by General Maringie, who returned from war and danced on an injured leg. The Merengue is a Latin dance that can be picked up quickly, and is great for popular songs with a strong, consistent beat such as Pitbull’s “Fireball” and Elvis Crespo’s “Suavemente.”
swing
East coast swing
Sometimes known as the Jitterbug, the Swing is one of the most popular American dances. With its single, double, and triple rhythms, the Swing is highly versatile across decades of music. It can be danced to anything from Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood,” to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock n Roll,” even Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” to Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.”
west Coast swing
Differing from the high-energy, highly-rotational, and bouncy East Coast Swing, the West Coast Swing is a slinky slot-style dance. While music for this style can vary greatly, it is traditionally danced to rock ‘n roll in more of a Blues style. The West Coast Swing is great for learning connections, improvisation, and musical expression.
hustle
Featured in movies like ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘Thank God It’s Friday’, in the 1970s disco became all the rage. Shortly after, a new form developed called “Touch Disco”, the partnered Hustle we know today. This high-energy dance features lots of spins, tunes, and wraps and is not only to hits from The Bee Gees but todays artists like Bruno Mars and Maroon 5.
lindy hop
Including styles of Lindy, Charleston, Shag, and Balboa, the Lindy Hop is the classic Swing dance that gets its name from the famous Charles Lindbergh who “hopped the Atlantic.” This dance style is fun, fast-paced, and very athletic making it the ideal dance for exercise to Big Band music like Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing”.
country western
2-step 3-step shuffle cha cha swing waltz
While you’re likely to have heard of the Country Two-Step, there are actually several types of Country Western dances that exist! One for each of the rhythms found in country music. Not only do we teach several styles of Two-Step including the Progressive, Nightclub, Texas, and Santa Fe, but we also teach Country Western Three-Step, Shuffle, Cha Cha, Swing, Waltz, even Country Line Dancing Whether you’d like to dance to legends like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson to contemporaries like Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood, we’ve got you covered!
Is there a dance you’re interested in that you didn’t see above? Chances are we actually teach it! Reach out to us today and speak with one of our dance specialists.