The Rumba is used by good dancers
everywhere and provides interesting variety suited to a limited space.
Learning the Rumba is a prerequisite for good Latin dancing. The Cuban
Motion is essential in most Latin dances. Neat, attractive, precise
footwork gives you confidence in your dancing. The Rumba will sharpen your
sense of rhythm, timing, and muscular control.
Cha Cha
The Cha-Cha adds fun to your dancing
through it's syncopated steps and many open movements. When you can dance
many interesting combinations with ease, you and your partner will be able
to feel the pulsating latin rhythms which make this dance so fascinating.
The energetic rhythm of the Cha-Cha encourages you to cut loose and let
your personality show.
East Coast Swing
The Swing is a spot dance with a
carefree relaxed style and is easily mastered by most people. The various
speeds are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading &
following which will add comfort and ease in other rhythm dances. Perhaps
the most uniquely American of all dances, the Swing brings forth a buoyant
carefree movement. It's one of the dances that become contagious.
Merengue
Merengue develops Cuban Motion and is
the simplest dance to learn. It's uncomplicated timing makes it easy to
feel the music and adapt to any partner. It is the only Latin dance that
combines one-step timing with Cuban Motion and therefore is a help to all
Latin dances. The march type beat sharpens timing & coordination and the
proper use of the accent will develop a clearer interpretation of musical
rhythm.
Hustle
Hustle originated in the 1970's Disco
Era and was popularized by John Travolta in the movie "Saturday Night
Fever." Both the music and the dance swept the country like wildfire, and
although the white suits and gold chains have faded away, the dance has
stayed, giving us the fusion of Swing and Disco. Hustle is still one of
the most popular nightclub dances across the country today.
West Coast Swing
WCS is a stylized Swing dance popular
west of the Mississippi from Kansas to California. Danced to slow or
medium tempo Swing or Disco music and characterized by slot movements,
taps and shuffles, coaster steps, and push and pull action of the dancers.
Samba
Samba improves the flexibility of the
body and helps achieve easy movement and lightness. To move lightly,
quickly, and smoothly without effort takes study but only at the start.
Although considered a good exercise, Samba should be danced smoothly and
in a relaxed manner giving the appearance of effortless movement.
Sometimes called the South American Waltz, the Samba pulsates to a unique
Latin rhythm.
Mambo
Mambo is a fusion of Cuban and American
dancing. The music is characterized by a stirring Afro-Cuban beat. Mambo
is an exciting dance which allows you to develop your own feeling and
expression. The wild exciting music, and rhythmical body movements make
the earthy Mambo irresistible.
Salsa
Salsa is the Spanish word for "sauce"
denoting a "spicy" and "hot" flavor to this popular dance style to a
complex mix of many different rhythms. There are indications the term
Salsa was coined by radio disc jockeys in Puerto Rico as early as the 1960's. Later associated with a New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians, Salsa is considered the
national music and dance of Puerto
Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Cuban beat with enhanced jazz textures results
in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere.
Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the Mambo and
Cha-Cha.
Fox Trot
Fox Trot is a basic dance from which you
can acquire a foundation. Learning to combine dance steps easily and
smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. The Fox Trot posture is
attractive in appearance and helpful to all other dances. Being able to
dance to slow, medium, and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing
and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner. The Fox Trot provides
a good foundation for all dances and is often called the "get-acquainted"
or "first impression" dance.
Waltz
Waltz develops balance and control. The
basic Waltz steps are the foundation patterns used in most ballroom
dances. Correct posture, rise and fall, and flowing movements should be
stressed to achieve good styling. The elegant sweeping movement of the
Waltz gives dancers a chance to practice balance and to move lightly with
ease.
Tango
The Tango is one of the most beautiful
of all the dances. It is characterized by dramatic movements. In order to
achieve the distinctive style of Tango, it is important to develop
controlled staccato footwork along with fluid graceful movements. The
unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing which
develops as the dancer becomes more proficient. Tango practice is
essential towards becoming a good dancer.
