"Waltz is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and rise & fall. Graceful and elegant, Waltz dancers glide around the floor almost effortlessly. At 28-30 measures per minute, the tempo is slow at best, but the expressive quality of the music often invites very powerful and dynamic movement from dancers." Click here for more information about the waltz.
Tango"Tango is earthy and dramatic. Although walking movements dominate, Tango walks, having a 'stalking' or 'sneaking' character, are unlike the walks of other ballroom dances. Movements are sometimes slow and slithery, and other times sharp and staccato, such as a quick foot flick or a sharp head snap to promenade position. Tango has the same counter clockwise flow of movement around the dance floor, but with a lesser sense of urgency in comparison to the smoother and more continuous ballroom dances." Click here for more information about the tango.
Foxtrot"Foxtrot is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. Foxtrot is extremely versatile and can be danced to a variety of musical styles and tempi. In competition, however, it is danced to 4/4 big band (usually vocal) music." Click here for more information about the foxtrot.
Swing"The term 'swing dance' is commonly used to refer to a group of dances developing in response to American swing music in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, or to lindy hop. Swinging jazz music features a combination of crotchets and quavers which many swing dancers interpret as 'triple steps' and 'steps' - yet also introduces changes in the way these rhythms were played - a distinct delay or 'relaxed' approach to timing." Click here for more information about swing.
Cha-Cha"Cha-cha-cha may be either danced to authentic Cuban music, or Latin Pop or Latin Rock. The music for the international ballroom cha-cha-cha is energetic and with a steady beat. The Cuban cha-cha-chá is more sensual and may involve complex polyrhythms. Styles of cha-cha-cha dance may differ in the place of the chasse in the rhythmical structure. The original Cuban and the ballroom cha-cha-cha count two-three-cha-cha-cha." Click here for more information about the cha-cha.
Rumba"All social dances in Cuba involve a hip-sway over the standing leg and, though this is scarcely noticeable in fast salsa, it is more pronounced in the slow ballroom rumba. In general, steps are kept compact and the dance is danced generally without any rise and fall. This style is authentic, as is the use of free arms in various figures. The basic figures derive from dance moves observed in Havana in the pre-revolutionary period, and have developed their own life since then." Click here for more information about the rumba.
Samba"Samba has a very specific rhythm, highlighted to its best by characteristic Brazilian musical instruments: originally called tamborim, chocalho, reco-reco and cabaca. Much of Samba music came from daily life in Rio, the first famous example being "Pelo Telefone" composed by Donga. To achieve the true character of the Samba a dancer must give it a happy, flirtatious and exuberant interpretation." Click here for more information about the samba.