Mambo is sizzling with sensual, fast Cuban dance energy that is great for Latin club dancing, on cruise ships and of course at Ballroom dances.
Helping new students gain high-level insight into…
International and American ballroom dance have different positions, figures/poses, timing, and other requirements that define whether you are dancing the International or American versions of the Rumba, Salsa, Waltz, foxtrot, etc.
American ballroom was developed from International ballroom to be more social and allows for partners to separate and use open figures with underarm turns, dips, and side by side moves.
In contrast, International ballroom is all about partners keeping closed figures and operates around a common center on the dancefloor. American influences like turns, dips, and side by side moves are not recognized as being part of International ballroom.
Schedule your lessons today and feel the difference of International and American ballroom dancing.
International ballroom is performed more often in dancesport competitions and separated into two categories.
International Standard dances
International Latin dances
American ballroom is also performed in dancesport but is more often spotted on social dance floors and separated into two categories.
American Smooth dances
American Rhythm dances
International and American ballroom dance have different positions, poses, timing and other requirements that define whether you are dancing the International or American versions of the Rumba, Salsa, Waltz, foxtrot, etc.
For example, International ballroom requires both partners to remain connected in closed figures whereas American ballroom allows partners to separate and improvise.
Also, the American Smooth is loosely similar to International Standard styles of dance and the American Rhythm is loosely similar to the International Latin styles of dance.
Schedule your lessons and feel the difference between International and American ballroom dance styles.
These dances are performed more often in dancesport competitions and separated into two categories.
International Standard styles
International Latin styles
These dances are also performed in dancesport but more often spotted on social dance floors and separated into two categories.
American Smooth styles
American Rhythm styles
Flirty, sexy, fast and loads of fun best describes this rhythmic Latin dance. You can see this danced at weddings, Ballroom dances, cruises and many other social events.
Rumba is slow, romantic and playful with pronounced hip movements. This is a great dance to start with as many of the patterns are used in Cha Cha, Mambo and Salsa.
This energetic dance uses contemporary and traditional swing music with fast, bouncy motions and steps.
This slow, romantic dance has beautiful lines and soft flowing dance patterns from a combination of Waltz and Rumba.
Mambo is sizzling with sensual, fast Cuban dance energy that is great for Latin club dancing, on cruise ships and of course at Ballroom dances.
Salsa exposes dancers to a beautiful mix of Latin American culture and music from Cuban dances such as mambo and rumba as well as American dances such as swing and tap.
This partner dance is elastic and performed in an imaginary narrow box where the follower moves back and forth in relation to the leader who is fairly stationary.
The hustle is a catchall name for some disco dances which were extremely popular in the 1970s. This fast paced dance has some features in common with mambo, salsa and swing dance.
Meringue is a Caribbean dance with characteristic hip motions. Dancers keep their knees slightly bent and feet in contact with the floor throughout.
Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic and has wildly become one of the more popular Latin dances. This popular dance for couples has circular movements and a rhythmic sensuality.
Commonly referred to as “a secret, danced between two people”, this Tango relies on intuition and connection. The footwork is much more challenging, but so cool.
Graceful and elegant, the Waltz is primarily in a closed-position.
The Tango is a sensual ballroom dance that expresses an element of romance in synchronized movements between both partners.
The foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor
The faster of the two Waltz dances. Footwork and patterns are also different, but the main difference is speed. Viennese Waltz can be up to four times faster than the slow version.
– Cassie
This dance is a slow, controlled dance with measured steps that glide around the dance floor. This dance is distinguished by the fact that both partners dance exclusively in a closed position, never breaking the embrace.
This dance is well known as the most classical form of Tango dance with very structured movements. This Tango does not allow freedom to experiment with new moves.
This dance whirls around at a fast pace while both partners maintain their frame, never breaking their embrace. Poise and coordination are essential as you glide across the floor.
This dance is performed entirely in a closed position and described as feeling smooth and sleek in performance. Foxtrot is similar to Waltz (long walking movements, rise and fall action, leg and body swing).
This dance is derived from the Foxtrot and is a fast-moving bouncy dance full of life and fire comprising walks and chasses all while both partners never break their frame.
This dance has steps that are kept compact and danced generally without any rise and fall as both partners maintain their frame connection.
Samba is noted for its distinct style of movement, which incorporates both Latin hip motion and the signature “Samba Bounce”. Samba is actually a collection of dances inside Brazil.
This dance has Afro-Cuban folk origins and is characterized by its sensual, provocative movements. Both partners maintain a playful, flirtatious performance with gestures of Latin-style hip motion.
This lively and aggressive dance is set to Spanish music and requires dancers to take on roles depicting a bull fight. The leader plays matador while the follower represents the bull, the matador’s cape and the flamenco dancer.
This fast version of Swing is characteristic of international style. Jive is a rhythmical and swinging dance influenced by Rock & Roll, Boogie and the African/American Swing.