DANCE DESCRIPTIONS
 

LATIN

• Cha Cha
  An offshoot of the Mambo, this flirtatious and cheeky Latin dance is characterized by its syncopated cha-cha-cha each measure, and is probably the most popular social Latin dance in America.
  
   
• Merengue
  If you can count to 8 you can dance the Merengue. Its simple small steps and characteristic hip swing, complete with graceful arm flourishes make this dance easy to learn and perfect for fast Latin music.
  
   
• Rumba
  Originally a lively, peppy dance, its current form is slow and sensual, giving you the chance to really express yourself, as well as to perfect technique, develop your sense of rhythm and muscle control that is also used in the faster Latin dances.
  
   
• Salsa/Mambo
  Salsa music is hot and is so the dance. With its tight, compact movements, Salsa is an exciting social dance and is one of the most popular club dances around today. Salsa is a more contemporary name for the same step pattern as Mambo, and came about when dancers started adding Hustle steps to Mambo.
  
   
• Samba
  The pulsing rhythm of the Samba and its fluid hip action make it one of the sexiest dances. When you hear the music, you’ll just have to learn this dance.
  
   
• Hustle
  Remember Disco, Hustle is the dance that emerged from the 70’s. What is danced today bears little resemblance to its original form. It is a fast, smooth dance, with the lady spinning almost constantly, while her partner draws her close and sends her away. Hustle is danced to the contemporary pop dance music of the last 20 years.
  
   
• Bolero
  The smooth flowing movements of this dance make it the waltz of Latin dances.
  
   
• Paso Doble
  This dramatic dance is inspired by the movements of the matador (bull fighter).
  
   
• Cumbia
  Cumbia is a Colombian folk dance which has become a popular party dance in Latin America.
  
   
• Bachata
  Bachata is a fun and sexy club dance from the Dominican Republic. Start with 3 steps and a hold. Mix in sensual hip and body movements, add turns, open breaks & cross-body leads to spice it up, and you have one of the most popular dances now seen in Latin nightclubs.
  
   

SWING

• Swing
  Single step, double step and triple step versions make Swing a dance easily adaptable to a variety of tempos of music, from moderately slow to very fast, and goes equally well to Big Band type music, contemporary pop and rhythm and blues.
  
   
• East Coast Swing
  Triple-step, triple-step, rock-step; this fun, upbeat dance can be done to lots of Big Band music.
  
   
• Lindy Hop
  The original "swing", this street dance allows you to explore Big Band, Blues and Jazz music, with lots of room for improvisation.
  
   
• West Coast Swing
  West Coast Swing is smooth and sexy and danced to rhythm & blues, contemporary and disco music. It is designed to fit in a narrow line, making it perfect for a crowded floor.
  
   
• Jive
  Jive is the International Style version of swing and it is danced competitively around the world.

ARGENTINE TANGO

• Argentine Tango
  Come learn the sensual classic Tango of Argentina, with its compact hold and intricate footwork. You will learn all the exciting moves that became popular with the hit show Forever Tango.

BALLROOM

• Foxtrot
  The classic “Big Band” dance in 4/4 time, the playful and smooth Foxtrot is one of the most popular social dances.
  
   
• Tango
  Tango is known as the Argentine dance of love. Tango tells the story of a flirtatious and passionate affair through smooth stalking walks, sensual close encounters, and sharp staccato lines.
  
   
• Viennese Waltz
  The Viennese Waltz is a fast Waltz that originated in Austria with composers such Johann Strauss.Its exhilarating swoops and whirls make this dance feel like flying!
  
   
• Waltz
  The 1-2-3 of the Waltz is what most people associate with Ballroom Dancing. Its rise and fall and flowing patterns make this gentle dance very romantic.
  
   
• Quickstep
  Quickstep and Foxtrot share a similarity of music, and on a social level, many people dance Quickstep as a fast Foxtrot.

Country & Western Dancing

• Nightclub
  Nightclub two-step is danced to romantic slow dances that are a little too slow for rumba. It is a popular choice for our wedding couples.
  
   
• Two-step
  Country western Two-step is very similar to ballroom Foxtrot, but is typically danced to much faster paced music. 
  
   
• Country-western Waltz
  Very similar to ballroom Foxtrot, but is typically danced to much faster paced music. 
  
   
• Country-western Swing
  c/w East Coast Swing is almost identical to Jitterbug, the single-step version of swing. 
  
   
• Other differences in style can also be seen in almost all of the country western dances.  One of the most common is that c/w dancers typically will use more of the "open" and "side by side" positions than ballroom dancers.  Country western dancers also have a slightly different view of lead and follow roles of the dance partners.  For instance, many times the leader will lead the follower into a move and until the move is completed, the leader and follower will temporarily switch roles, or occasionally, they will both participate in individual moves and thereby both become leaders until the completion of the moves.  This sort of thing just isn't supposed to happen in ballroom dancing.  Another style difference can be seen in the separation of the dancers when dancing in the "closed" position.  There is usually much more space between the dance partners in c/w dancing than in ballroom dancing.