American Tango is referred to as the ‘Dance of Love’ that finds its origins in Argentina. It is performed at 128-136 beats per minute in the 4/4 time, taking five steps in eight beats. This style is structured and can be danced in the open as well as close position. Music and dance elements of tango are popular in activities related to gymnastics, figure skating and synchronized swimming because of its dramatic feeling and its cultural associations with romance.

 

Cha-Cha is a dance that has wide application because the music is popular in many music genres, including Country, Funk, and Hip-Hop. Popular mainstream artists include Santana, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Cha-Cha music should produce a happy, carefree, party-like dance expression and is usually 100 to 130 bpm.

 

Disco (Hustle) is perfect for dance-beat, nightclub music. Easy to learn, it can be danced everywhere: ballrooms, nightclubs, parties, and wedding receptions. Mostly associated with the retro disco classics (Bee Gees, Donna Summer), it can be danced to modern music that has every beat accented, including Rap and Hip-Hop. The movement is characterized by fast moving patterns with many turns. Beginners’ best tempo is 100-125 bpm.

 

Country Western  is a series of lessons that we typically have during the summer months using visiting instructors.
The Texas Two Step was made popular by the movie Urban Cowboy  and is a fast-traveling freestyle dance with many turns. The partnered dancers move counter-clockwise around the perimeter of the dance floor. The basic step is similar to an ordinary walking step, but the footwork timing is quick, quick, slow, slow.  Line dances consist of combinations of steps danced in a set sequence. Danced in lines, a typical sequence or pattern is four sets of eight steps performed in the center area of the floor and repeated until the end of a specific song. A lot of fun, and most line dances require no partner! Partner dances are performed with a partner and are sometimes referred to as “Stop & Go” dances as they progress anti-clockwise around the outside of the dance floor, often stopping and turning the other way for a series of steps, but will then turn back in an anti-clockwise direction (line of dance).  All partners learn the same pattern of steps in the same sequence, with few variations.

 

East Coast Swing (also called Jitterbug or Triple Step Swing) is the official “sock hop” swing dance; think Elvis and Chuck Berry back in the 50’s, this is the dance for their music! A circular, rotating dance – it has wraps, tunnels, and turns. Today’s swing music is diverse and includes Top 40’s, Oldies, Country, Blues, and Big Band with a tempo of 145-170 beats per minute. With this wide range to choose from you can swing to almost anything, making this a very versatile dance!

 

Foxtrot feels like a stroll in the park… with some rhythm thrown in. This dance has an easy sweetness to it that makes it perfect for weddings. The Foxtrot is often associated with the style of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Behind the Waltz, it has become the second most popular ballroom dance in history. Popular vocalists of music suitable for Foxtrot are Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr., Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and Dinah Shore.

Night Club Two-Step  is derived from bolero and rumba and has many figures in common. The basic step is like the whisk step in samba and uses slow, quick, quick timing in mid-tempo 4/4 time ballads.  Think of slow romantic music, like “Lady in Red” by Chris DeBurgh.  This is NOT the Texas Two Step, which is the fast-traveling country-western dance.

Rumba: Unlike all the other ballroom dances, the Rumba emphasizes ones body movements more than their footwork, which makes it the most sensual of all the Latin ballroom dances. The rhythm of the dance is more essential to the dance than the tune itself. Rumba music is written in 4/4 time, with four beats to each measure and the tempo is typically 104 to 108 beats per minute.

 

Samba: Originating from Brazil (and its official dance), this dance is a lively, rhythmical dance with the music tempo at about 100 bpm and a joyful contagious rhythm, which can be found in many Top 40 songs. Walking Samba steps and side steps are the basic components of this dance. The major characteristic of the Samba is the vertical bounce action.

 

Waltz is described as being a soft, gentle and romantic dance, GREAT for the father/daughter or groom/bride first dance! Waltz music can be found in most music genres including Rock, Country, Pop and Classical. The Waltz is danced in a three-step sequence, with movements characterized by the use of sway, rise, and fall. It is a progressive dance that moves around the floor in line of dance.

 

West Cost Swing is a smooth, sophisticated slot dance consisting mostly of 6 and 8 count patterns with the lady brushing past the man as he leads her in a great variety of turns. WCS is danced to a broad range of music. Contemporary, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Country Western, Funk, Disco, Rock, Pop and even Latin. Music is slow (90 bpm) to medium-fast (160 bpm), usually 4/4 time with a strong even beat.