Dances We Teach
American Style Smooth:
Foxtrot, Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango
American Style Rhythm:
Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Mambo, Bolero
International Style Latin:
Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble
Specialty/Nightclub:
Argentine Tango, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Merengue
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American Foxtrot: Often accompanied by 1940s big band music. Much of the music we use for this dance are by the likes of Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Buble.
Basic Rhythm: Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick (S, S, Q, Q) Click below for an excerpt of a song that can used for Foxtrot.
American Waltz: Think flowing gowns, coattails, and gliding across the dance floor using smooth, elegant movements. Waltz moves in a ¾ tempo (for you musicians out there).
Basic Rhythm: 1-2-3, 1-2-3. Click below to hear an excerpt from a song that can be used for Waltz.
Viennese Waltz: A much faster paced waltz which covers more space in a shorter amount of time. Figures are often circular and/or involve lots of traveling across the dance floor. Watch out for other couples around you, don't run into the wall, and don't get dizzy!
Basic Rhythm: 1-2-3, 1-2-3 (but much faster). Click below to hear an excerpt from a song that can be used for Viennese Waltz.
American Tango: Dramatic and full of sharp, accented steps/movements.
Basic Rhythm: S, S, Q, Q, S. Click below to her an excerpt from a song that could be used for American Tango.
Argentine Tango: Passionate partner dance marked by dramatic music. Heavily dependent on partner connection, the social version is purely improvisational.
Basic Rhythm: Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow (but can vary). Click below to hear an excerpt from a well-known Argentine Tango song.
American Cha-cha: Lively Latin rhythm dance with distinctive foot movement.
Basic Rhythm: 1,2,3, cha-cha, 1,2,3, cha-cha etc. Click below to hear an excerpt from a song for Cha Cha.
American Rumba: Generally slower rhythm dance of latin origin with a more sensual movement.
Basic rhythm: S, Q, Q, S. Click below to hear an excerpt from a Rumba.
Triple Swing: form of East Coast swing defined by a 6-count rhythm
Basic rhythm: Triple-step, Triple-step, rock step. Click below to hear an excerpt from a song that can be used for Triple Swing.
West Coast Swing: Generally slower and smoother than East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing moves in a slot in either a 6 or 8 count, with the lady stepping forward on count 1.
Mambo: A Latin dance of Caribbean origin. Music is written in a 4/4 rhythm with heavier accents on the 2nd and 4th beats. Click below to hear an excerpt from a mambo song.
Bolero: Mainly a slow partner dance of Spanish origin, marked by longer strides and elegant movements.
Basic rhythm: S, Q, Q, S
Salsa: Latin social/club dance with origins in Africa and the Caribbean. Many variations exist (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, etc).
Basic Rhythm: Generally marked by an 8-count rhythm with dancers moving on steps 1,2,3, and 5,6,7 (pausing on counts 4 and 8). Can also be danced on counts 2,3,4, and 6,7,8 (pausing on counts 1 and 5).
Click the player below to hear an excerpt from a Salsa song.
Merengue: Lively Latin dance with origins mainly in the Dominican Republic. Moving in an 8 count rhythm, the club version is relatively easy and is usually identified by distinctive hip movements (which occur when the dancer makes lateral movements initiated by his/her sides). Click the player below for a song excerpt for Merengue.
