Waltz
The Waltz is an elegant dance developed in Germany. It is considered to be the basis of most present day ballroom dances. Danced in 3/4 timing.
Foxtrot
Developed in the United States in the 1920s, the Foxtrot is characterized by long, smooth, continuous movements.
Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz, different from the Waltz, is the oldest of the ballroom dances. It emerged in the late 18th century in Germany. Danced in a fast 3/4 timing.
Quick Step
A fast version of the Foxtrot, the Quickstep is a light-hearted and fast dance with quick, strong and rhythmic movements.
Tango
The Tango, originated in the 1880s in Argentina, is an intimate and romantic dance that originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Rumba
The Rumba is the most romantic of the Latin dances. Characterized by it's slow sway hip movements.
Cha-Cha
The Cha-Cha is an energetic dance of Cuban origin. It is danced to lively music with a steady beat.
Samba
The Samba is a lively, rhythmical dance of Afro-Brazilian origin.
Jive
The Jive originated in the United States in the 1930s. It is a dynamic and uninhibited variation of the Swing dance.
Paso Doble
Originating in France, the Paso Doble is a theatrical dance that imitates the Spanish bullfight. The man is the matador and the lady is his cape.
Swing
Originated in Harlem, New York, the Swing was developed to dance to the jazz music of the 1920s.
Salsa
Salsa is a popular social dance that originated in New York City with strong influences from Puerto Rico and Cuba. Salsa is all about having fun; it is not constrained by many rules.
Bachata
Bachata dance originated in the Dominican Republic and is based on a three-step pattern with some hip motion.
Merengue
The Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic, and to some extent, of Haiti as well. The character of the dance is light with short, precise rhythms.
Two-Step
The Two-Step is a country/western partner dance consisting of a leader and a follower that proceed counterclockwise around the floor.
Shag
The Shag is a style of swing dancing that started in Myrtle Beach in the 1940s. Local teens invented the dance that is most suited to beach music.
West Coast Swing
A version of the Swing, The West Coast Swing dance style was born in the 1930s with many of the other forms of Swing, such as the Lindy Hop and the Jitterbug.
Line Dances
Line dances have a set sequence of repeated steps in which a group of people dance in rows, usually facing in the same direction.
