Ballroom
English Waltz
The English Waltz is danced in 3/4, with a smooth, gliding motion. It developed from an Austrian folk dance, and the name is derived from the Old German “walzen”, meaning “to roll, turn or glide”.
Tempo: 28-30 measures per minute
Taught in: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): All levels
Open Waltz Demonstration
Restricted Step Waltz Demonstration
Tango
The Tango originated in the bars and ports of Argentina and Uruguay in the early twentieth century. The modern ballroom tango was codified in England in 1922, and is highly stylised, charactised by stalking movements and staccato head turns.
Tempo: 31-33 measures per minute
Taught in: Extension, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): Intermediate+
Open Tango Demonstration
Restricted Step Tango Demonstration
Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz was the first ballroom dance to be performed in closed hold. It is a rotary dance, where the couple is contantly turning to the leader’s right or left, with a change step to alter the direction of rotation.
Tempo: 58-60 measures per minute
Taught in: Extension, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): Intermediate+
Restricted Step Viennese Waltz Demonstration
Slow Foxtrot
The competitive Slow Foxtrot was standardised in England, after being popularised by the American Broadway couple Vernon and Irene Castle. It is characterised by long, flowing, continuous movements around the floor.
Tempo: 28-30 measures per minute
Taught in: Extension, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): Intermediate+
Open Foxtrot Demonstration
Restricted Step Foxtrot Demonstration
Quickstep
The Quickstep evolved from a mixture of the foxtrot and some of the swing dances, and was codified in England in 1927. The dance is fast-paced, with lots of syncopated steps and involves plenty of momentum and rotation.
Tempo: 50-52 measures per minute
Taught in: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): All levels
Open Quickstep Demonstration
Restricted Step Quickstep Demonstration
Latin American
Cha Cha
The Cha Cha originated in Cuba in the 1950s, and the name is onamatopoeic, derived from the sound of the güiro and the dancers’ feet. The competitive steps were developed by Walter Laird and other championship dancers in the 1960s.
Tempo: 30-32 measures per minute
Taught in: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): All levels
Open Cha Cha Demonstration
Restricted Step Cha Cha Demonstration
Samba
The ballroom Samba takes elements of the Brazilian carnival dance, and weaves them into a partner dance that travels around the floor. The samba also uses several different rhythmical patterns, including cross-rhythms, to add interest.
Tempo: 50-52 measures per minute
Taught in: Extension, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): Intermediate+
Open Samba Demonstration
Restricted Step Samba Demonstration
Rumba
The Rumba evolved from a pre-revolutionary Cuban dance, the bolero-son, to fit the fusion of big band music and Afro-Cuban rhythms popular in the 1930s. With it’s slow rhythm and exaggerated hip movements, the rumba depicts falling in love.
Tempo: 25-27 measures per minute
Taught in: Extension, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): Intermediate+
Open Rumba Demonstration
Restricted Step Rumba Demonstration
Paso Doble
Developed in southern France, the Paso Doble is the only competitive Latin dance to originate in Europe. Danced to a 2/4 march tempo, drawing heavily from the music played in the bullring, the dance tells the story of a Spanish bullfight.
Tempo: 60-62 measures per minute
Taught in: Extension, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): Intermediate+
Open Paso Doble Demonstration
Jive
Adopted as the fifth competitive Latin dance in 1968, the Jive evolved from the jitterbug and other swing dances. It is danced with a double bounce action that gives it a crisp, energetic look and a great sense of fun.
Tempo: 42-44 measures per minute
Taught in: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate
Competed (university circuit): All levels
Open Jive Demonstration
Restricted Step Jive Demonstration