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UAT_Dance-Styles-Taught
In addition to our group classes, we also provide private instruction in each of these dances. Please visit our Private lessons page for more information.
Latin |
Ballroom |
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Dance Styles Described
Cha-Cha-Cha is developed from the Mambo and a Latin dance that most people like to learn first. The cha-cha emphasizes hip action and rhythm expressed throughout the body. The music is in 4/4 time and tempo is 30 to 34 bars per minute. Probably the most popular Latin dance in the U.S., the Cha Cha began as a part of the Mambo. It was so easy and so much fun, it became the rage of the early 1950's. It's infectious one-two, one-two-three rhythm demands that sitters become dancers.
The Rumba was the beginning of Cuban and Latin American dance crazes. Danced to music inspired by African rhythms and Spanish melodies, the Americanized Rumba was the basis for the Mambo and Cha Cha in the U.S. Music called Salsa perpetuates the popularity of the Rumba all over the world. The music is in 4/4 time, with a sensual feel, and the tempo is 28-31 bars per minute.
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The Bolero is a smooth, sophisticated, sentimental love dance. The emphasis is on smoothness and graceful turns with much communication between partners. The slower music to which it is performed enhances a feeling of romance. The foot positions are similar to Rumba but have a very different feeling. The slip pivoting action is its trademark giving it a floating, continuous turn but graceful and sensual look and feel. Music is 4/4 timing and is now danced as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm, 20 to 25 bars per minute.
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Everybody who lands in Rio must know how to dance the Samba. If you are there at the right time you'll see hundreds of people dressed in costumes that parade in the streets. The national dance of Brazil became the rage of Brazilian society in the 1930's but began as an exhibition dance in Paris in 1905. Movie star and singer Carmen Miranda is credited with making the dance popular in the U.S. in the early 1940's. Music is usually in 2/4 time, and the tempo is 48 to 56 bars per minute.
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Mambo is danced on 2 and the count is 2,3,4,pause, 6,7,8,pause. Very sharp, dramatic movements characterize this dance. This is the style danced in ballroom competitions.
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Its simple small steps and characteristic hip swing, complete with graceful arm flourishes make this dance easy to learn and perfect for fast Latin music. The merengue is a popular dance of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. There is an old tale about a famous military General Maringie who was wounded in battle and developed a limp. He got up to dance at a celebration in his honor, and danced dragging his injured leg. All the other men present, rather than embarrass him, danced in a similar way and thus was born the Merengue. Or it might simply have started as a peasant dance in the Dominican Republic by African slaves. Music is in 2/4 time, with 55 to 60 beats to the bar.
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Considered the mother of our present dances, the Waltz began in southern Germany in the seventeenth century. The popularity of the Waltz grew with the music of Johann Strauss and eventually blossomed in the 20th century as the Hesitation Waltz. It is the basis for many dances and is popular today all over the world.
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A smooth American dance introduced to the public in 1913 by Harry Fox, noted for being the first dance to incorporate into the rhythm a combination of Slows and Quicks. Foxtrot is characterized by elegant walking-style movements danced to silky jazz tunes by artists including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble and the new crop of contemporary jazz artists. Foxtrot is one of the most elegant and sophisticated of the ballroom dances; think Fred and Ginger, top hats and tails! Music is in 4/4 time, and about 32 bars per minute.
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Ballroom tango, divided in recent decades into the "International" (English) and "American" styles, has descended from the tango styles that developed when the tango first went abroad to Europe and America. The dance was simplified, adapted to the preferences of dancers, and incorporated into the repertoire used in International Ballroom dance competitions. English Tango was first codified in October 1922, when it was proposed that it should only be danced to modern tunes, ideally at 30 bars per minute (i.e. 120 beats per minute - assuming a 4/4 measure).
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The exhilarating swoops and whirls make this dance feel like your are leaving the floor, and make it a favorite for today’s background dance in TV and movies. Johann Strauss a name many have heard was the instigator in composing the music originating in Austria.
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The quickstep evolved from the early days of the Charleston combines with the foxtrot in the 1920s. The tempo is brisk with a touch of Polka rhythm, hops, jumps, turns and is much faster than the other ballroom dances. The whole character of the dance seem to invite a carefree interpretation of its bright rhythm. The Quickstep usually follows a 4/4 time pattern.
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East Coast Swing is a happy, fun, upbeat dance. Distinguished by its bounce, rock step (back break), Swing hip motion and triple steps, East Coast Swing is also a non-progressive dance. Is also a dance with an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and plenty of fun with lots of spins and a lively animation, adding even more excitement to the dance floor. The origins of swing began in the 1920's with the Charleston, tap dancing, and some now obsolete partner dances like the Breakaway. Soon it evolved into Lindy Hop, and then onto today’s style which caters for the social and competitive dancer. Ladies and gentleman, take your partners.
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The official dance of California, West Coast Swing is a truly funky “slotted” dance is smooth (no bounce) where the follower travels back and forth along a shoulder width rectangle, called the slot. The leader is more stationary but will move in and out of the slot depending on the pattern led. Followers have more freedom than any other dance, performing their syncopations at will. The dance allows room for syncopated footwork and improvisation West Coast Swing can be danced to a wide range of music including Rhythm and Blues, Country Western, Funk, Disco, Rock and Pop.
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The "Two Step" is a dance you can do in night clubs as well as ballrooms, weddings, cruises, etc. It's an alternative to the "Slow" dance. That's the dance where you stand, put your hands on your partner's waist and your partner puts her arms around your neck and you sway back and forth, back-and-forth etc., etc. "Two Step" is perfect for medium and slow music. The Two Step is danced to popular music, mostly ballads. Songs such as "Lady In Red", "On the Wings of Love", "Love the World Away.
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Hustle came about in the 70’s era and is similar to the swing dances like west and east coast swing. The speed is fast paced with the lady turning constantly with the lead going backward and forward. This is an exciting dance with the music being played from the last 20 years.
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