Dances we teach

"Experiencing a dance is like imaginary travel to the country of its origin."

Source: vogue.com

Viennese Waltz

The classical dance from the ballrooms of Vienna remains one of the most enchanting and exhilarating dances [3]. While the patterns remain pure, the technique requires even more of the dancer as they strive to capture the graceful qualities of this dance.

Please click the links below to find out more about the Viennese Waltz.

  1. The concert of André Rieu showing beautifully the original character of the Viennese Waltz 2004.

  2. Viennese Waltz by Professional World Champions Christopher Hawkins & Hazel Newberry in Tokyo, Japan.

  3. Traditional Viennese Waltz song- Waltz No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich.

  4. Modern Viennese Waltz song- Sy You Love Me by Jessie Ware.

  5. Modern Viennese Waltz song- Bound to You by Christina Aguilera.

Paso Doble

Dancing Paso Doble is like travelling to Spain in your imagination. In the competitive form it is danced always to the famous song España Cañí which is full of characteristic highlights and accents. Many patterns of Paso Doble portrey the atmosphere of corrida de torros which is bull fight. In styling this dance has a strong Flamenco flavor.

Please click the links below to find out more about the Paso Doble.

  1. Paso Doble by Professional World Champions Michael Malitowski & Joanne Leunis in Tokyo, Japan 2010.

  2. Paso Doble by Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert on Dancing with the Stars 2020.

  3. Traditional Paso Doble song España Cañí composed by Pascual Marquina Narro and first recorded in 1926.

Michael Malitowski & Joanne Leunis. Source: http://www.malitowskileunis.com/

Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova. Source: kaoring works.

Waltz

Romantic melodies epitomize the grace and poise of the Waltz [3]. This dance will develop mastery of swing, sway, rise & fall, balance and control- concepts essential to experiencing the true joy of any ballroom dance.

Please click the links below to find out more about the Waltz.

  1. AMERICAN Style Waltz by Professional World Champions Nick & Viktorija Cheremukhin at Emarald Ball 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

  2. INTERNATIONAL Style Waltz by Professional World Champions Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova at United Kingdom Open Championships 2017.

  3. Traditional Waltz song- Snow Waltz by Empress Orchestra.

  4. Modern Waltz song- The Long Day is Over.

Cha-cha

To learn the Cha-cha is is to love the Cha-cha [3]. Sharp staccato actions, rhythm changes and exciting patterns are just some of the fun aspects of this dance. The Cha-cha is one of most popular Latin dances and allows you to cut loose and let your personality show.

Please click the links below to find out more about the Cha-cha.

  1. INTERNATIONAL Style Cha-cha by Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova at Ohio Star Ball 2008 in Columbus, Ohio.

  2. AMERICAN Style Cha-cha by Dmitry Nikishkin & Olena Shvets-Nikishkin at Boca Ballroom 2019 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

  3. Traditional Cha-cha song- Corazon de Melon by Rosemary Clooney & Perez Prado.

  4. Modern Cha-cha song- Sway by Michael Buble.

Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko. Source: https://www.kentdance.co.jp/

Tango

No other dance captures the dramatic strength and romance of the relationship between partners like the Tango [3]. Accented by strong staccato movements the challenge of this dance makes it as exciting to perform as it is to watch.

Please click the links below to find out more about the Tango.

  1. AMERICAN Style Tango by Roman Malkhasyan & Galina Detkina at Naples Star Ball 2019 in Naples, Florida.

  2. INTERNATIONAL Style Tango by William Pino & Alessandra Bucciarelli in Tokyo, Japan 2007.

  3. ARGENTINE Style Tango by Dmitriy Vasin - Esmer Omerova at Kremlin Cup 2013 in Moscow, Russia.

  4. Traditional Tango song- Tango 65 by Empress Orchestra.

  5. Traditional Tango song- Por Una Cabeza by Tango Project.

  6. Traditional Tango song- El Choclo.

Samba

A street Festival dance that originated in Brazil, the Samba combines Latin rhythms with light bouncing action [3]. To achieve the true character of the Samba, a dancer must give it a happy, flirtatious and exuberant interpretation.

Please click the links below to find out more about the Samba.

  1. INTERNATIONAL Style Samba by Slavik Kryklyvyy & Karina Smirnoff in Tokyo, Japan 2004.

  2. BRAZILIAN Style Samba.

  3. Traditional Samba song- Quando Quando Quando by Empress Orchestra

  4. Rhythm only Samba song- Baila Me Samba by Walter Laird & Nico Gomez.

  5. Modern Samba song- Straight to Memphis by Club des Belugas.

Source: bbc.com

Stefano Di Filippo & Anna Melnikova

Source: wikidancesport.com

Jive

Jive is a lively, and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug [5]. Many of its basic patterns are similar to those of the East Coast Swing. The basic look and feel of Jive are that it is performed with lots and lots of energy, with the legs portraying a pumping action. If you are looking for burning some calories while dancing, the Jive is your choice.

Please click the links below to find out more about the Jive.

  1. Jive by Professional World Champions Bryan Watson & Carmen in Tokyo, Japan 2007.

  2. Traditional Jive song- Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles.

  3. Modern Jive song- Dear Future Husband by Meghan Trainor.

Troels Bager & Ina Jeliazkova. Source: pinterest.com

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. Source: nytimes.com

Foxtrot

The Rolls-Royce among the Ballroom dances. The classical dance of light, continuous and flowing movement which must be maintained at all times [4]. A controlled, slow leg action is the ultimate quality of the dance to keep the couple moving elegantly across the floor. American style is characterized by stronger beat, faster pace of the music and bouncy body action. Broadway elements are visible in the choreographies of many American Smooth couples.

To find out more about the Foxtrot, please click the links below.

  1. INTERNATIONAL Style Foxtrot by Luca Barrichi & Loraine Barry in Bangkok, Thailand 2010.

  2. AMERICAN Smooth Foxtrot by Travis & Jaimee Tuft at Constitution State 2018.

  3. International Style Foxtrot song - Exodus by Quincy Jones.

  4. American Style Foxtrot song- Excuse My French by Caro Emerald.

Quickstep

The fastest and the most energetic of all Standard Dances. Contains the elements of Body Swing, Chassés, Step Hops and Tricks. As you learn the Quickstep you will soon understand why this speedy dance is the light-hearted favorite of all accomplished dancers [3].

To find out more about the Quickstep, please click the links below.

  1. Quickstep by Professional World Champions Christopher Hawkins & Hazel Newberry in Tokyo, Japan 2004.

  2. Quickstep by Domenico Soale & Goia Cerasoli at German Open 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany.

  3. Traditional Quickstep song- Tu Vuo Fa l'Americano by Dany Brillant.

  4. Traditional Quickstep song- Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman.

Domenico Soale & Goia Cerasoli. Photo by Jonathan S. Marion.

Andre & Natalie Paramonov. Source: nytimes.com

Bolero

The Bolero is the most romantic of the Latin dances [3]. Taking cues from the Rumba and the Waltz, the Bolero has distinct characteristics of long sweeping side steps and use of rise and fall to create both softness and dramatic movement.

To find out more about the Bolero, please click the links below.

  1. Bolero by Professional World Champions Andre & Natalie Paramonov at Crown Jewel 2019.

  2. Traditional Bolero song- Tu Retirada by Cristian Castro.

  3. Traditional Bolero song- Frente a Frente by Rocío Dúrcal.

  4. Modern Bolero song- Hands on You by Ashley Monroe.

Mambo

The Mambo is high energy Latin dance where the music is characterized by a stirring Afro-Cuban beat [3]. As a parent of the Cha-cha and Salsa, the Mambo is an exciting dance that includes crisp leg actions flirtatious interactions with your partner and a fun intensity.

To find out more about the Mambo, please click the links below.

  1. Mambo by Nazar Norov & Irina Kudryashova at Miami Vibe 2018.

  2. Traditional Mambo song- Mambo No. 5 by Perez Prado.

  3. Traditional Mambo song- Que Rico Mambo by Perez Prado.

  4. Modern Mambo song- Aguanile by Marc Anthony.

Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine and Liana Churilova. Source: nytimes.com

Swing

The most uniquely American of all dances, the Swing brings forth a buoyant, carefree movement that is contagious [3]. Swing may be danced comfortably over a wide range of tempos and variations. The lively spirit and bounce of the Swing gets everyone on their feet to join in.

To find out more about the Swing, please click the links below.

  1. West Coast Swing by Jordan Frisbee and Jessica Cox at Phoenix Swing 2010.

  2. East Coast Swing by Dmitry & Olena Nikishkin at Dutch Open 2017 in Assen, Netherlands.

  3. Traditional Swing song- Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu by Johnny Rivers.

  4. Modern Swing song- All I Do Is Dream of You by Michael Bublé.

  5. Modern Swing song- Baby Likes To Rock It by The Tractors.

Marengue

The simplicity of the Marengue makes it perfect "Party dance" [3]! The march type beat helps dancers keep a steady timing so they can interact with their partner. Walking and side steps are the basic foot components of the Marengue and therefore more freedom is allowed in creating fun patterns on the floor and animated arm styling.

To find out more about the Marengue, please click the links below.

  1. Marengue by Edwin Ferreras & Dakota Romero.

  2. Traditional Marengue song- Suavemente by Elvis Crespo.

Daniel and Desiree. Source: ocf.berkeley.edu

Salsa & Bachata

The Salsa is the unique blending of traditional Latin music and dance steps with freedom of turning actions [3]. The Bachata has simple footwork that is easy to do and can be danced to many differnet styles of music. Both are great nightclub dances and must for Latin social dancing.

To find out more about the Salsa & Bachata, please click the links below.

  1. Salsa by Lisandra Garcia and Geonys Boloy in Havan, Cuba.

  2. Bachata by Marco Espejo & Pocahontas at El Sol Warsaw Salsa Festival 2019.

  3. Modern Salsa song- Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony.

  4. Modern Bachata song- Corazon Sin Cara by Prince Royce.

Sources:

  1. Modern Ballroom Dancing, Victor Silvester, Trafalgar Square Publishing, North Pomfret VT 2005.

  2. Ballroom. Dance & Glamour, Jonathan S. Marion, Bloomsbury, London 2014.

  3. The Internet. Arthur Murray Dance Centers. https://arthurmurray.com/ 11/18/2020.

  4. The lecture of Anthony Hurley at Blackpool Congress 1998 –Choreographic Characterisation of Competitive Standard Dances.

  5. The Internet. https://www.liveabout.com/ 11/18/2020.