Rumba is arguably the most sensual of all Latin dances, combing long leg lines, rolling hip actions, and beautiful arm styling. One of the slower dances, Rumba puts great focus on core strength, balance, and “Cuban motion.” Simple and versatile for the beginner while offering a fun challenge to the competitor, it is no wonder Rumba, with its seductive rhythm, is one of the most popular dances we teach.

The East Coast Swing is a descendant of the incredibly popular Lindy Hop style of the American 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. A great starter dance for those interested in all that swing has to offer, the East Coast Swing can be performed in a simple “single time” form or in it’s more common “triple time” rhythm that focuses heavily on energetic movement, a variety of turns and spins and, appropriately enough, a “swinging” action in the hips. Versatile, fun, and challenging, the East Coast Swing is a great dance to have in your repertoire!

Unique to the American Rhythm style, Bolero is a beautiful fusion of smooth, sultry Latin movements and sexy bossa nova based rhythms. Few dances are as intriguing or alluring. Sometimes referred to as the “ballroom dancer’s Latin dance”, Bolero layers an almost waltz-like rise and fall action on top of the traditional Cuban motion, making it one of the more challenging dances to learn but also one of the most rewarding.

Mambo is the quintessential Latin dance. Steeped in Afro-Cuban musical history, a good mambo relies on exceptional rhythm, coordinated rib and hip movement, and expression. Differing slightly from the salsa, Mambo “breaks” on the second count of a music measure, which provides an excellent opportunity for the student to improve musicality along with many physical skills the dance offers. Perhaps most importantly, Mambo teaches the joyful “soul” of how to Latin dance.

Cha Cha is a fun, flirtatious, dance that emphasizes fast footwork, playful hip action, and a strong internal sense of rhythm. Applicable to a wide variety of music styles, this iconic dance is a great way to raise both your heart-rate and your spirits!

The Waltz is arguably the most recognizable of all ballroom dances. With its signature 3/4 timing, airy rise and fall, and music box-like hold, no other dance better conjures images of romance and grace. As functional as it is lovely, Waltz is the perfect dance to improve balance, strength, and softness in your movement.

Most know that the Tango is the dance of seduction, of mystery, and of passion. However, tango can also be hauntingly beautiful and deeply introspective. Tango’s unique hold and cat-like style of movement not only make it a show stopper on the floor, but a great method for learning musicality, sharp footwork, strong body carriage, and powerful leg actions. An excellent dance to get “lost in”, tango challenges both the body and mind.

If you have ever dreamed of dancing in a long gown or a sleek tuxedo and floating across the floor like Fred and Ginger, then Foxtrot is the dance for you! Rooted in the music of “The Great American Songbook”, foxtrot is an elegant dance that glides effortlessly across the floor before whisking into a series of pivot turns or picturesque lines. The classic dance for a wedding or gala, foxtrot is simple enough for beginners to learn quickly and broad enough to challenge ballroom enthusiasts for years.

Viennese Waltz‘s defining characteristic is its whimsical turning. Significantly faster than it’s namesake, Viennese waltz harkens back to the grand balls of Austria and is arguably the “dreamiest” dance of all. While it is not as common socially in this day and age, it is still an excellent dance for learning grace, agility, balance, and posture. It is dashing, graceful, and few sights compare to the grandeur of a room full of couples waltzing around the floor!

Quickstep is unmistakable in its playful gliding, jumping, and sometimes running motion across the dance floor! This smooth alternative to swing dancing is similarly danced to the classic sounds of American big band music. Although quickstep looks intimidating to the television or competition viewer, the basics of the dance are surprisingly easy and enormously fun! Quickstep is a wonderful dance to work on smooth movement, proper dance frame, and obviously, fast feet.

The Waltz is arguably the most recognizable of all ballroom dances. With its signature 3/4 timing, airy rise and fall, and music box-like hold, no other dance better conjures images of romance and grace. As functional as it is lovely, Waltz is the perfect dance to improve balance, strength, and softness in your movement.

Most know that the Tango is the dance of seduction, of mystery, and of passion. However, tango can also be hauntingly beautiful and deeply introspective. Tango’s unique hold and cat-like style of movement not only make it a show stopper on the floor, but a great method for learning musicality, sharp footwork, strong body carriage, and powerful leg actions. An excellent dance to get “lost in”, tango challenges both the body and mind.

If you have ever dreamed of dancing in a long gown or a sleek tuxedo and floating across the floor like Fred and Ginger, then Foxtrot is the dance for you! Rooted in the music of “The Great American Songbook”, foxtrot is an elegant dance that glides effortlessly across the floor before whisking into a series of pivot turns or picturesque lines. The classic dance for a wedding or gala, foxtrot is simple enough for beginners to learn quickly and broad enough to challenge ballroom enthusiasts for years.

Viennese Waltz‘s defining characteristic is its whimsical turning. Significantly faster than it’s namesake, Viennese waltz harkens back to the grand balls of Austria and is arguably the “dreamiest” dance of all. While it is not as common socially in this day and age, it is still an excellent dance for learning grace, agility, balance, and posture. It is dashing, graceful, and few sights compare to the grandeur of a room full of couples waltzing around the floor!

The West Coast Swing, so named for its Californian roots, is most easily recognized by it’s a slick, playful,  and improvisational style that is danced “in a slot.” The West Coast style of swing is more laid back, smooth, and admittedly sexier than it’s bouncier, more energetic Eastern counterpart. There is virtually no better dance for practicing partnering skills as West Coast is extremely versatile, multi-layered, and highly “conversational” between partners.

Unique to the American Rhythm style, Bolero is a beautiful fusion of smooth, sultry Latin movements and sexy bossa nova based rhythms. Few dances are as intriguing or alluring. Sometimes referred to as the “ballroom dancer’s Latin dance”, Bolero layers an almost waltz-like rise and fall action on top of the traditional Cuban motion, making it one of the more challenging dances to learn but also one of the most rewarding.

The Merengue is an infectiously upbeat Caribbean dance and the perfect way to ease into the art of latin dancing. One of the simplest of all partner dances, Merengue focuses on playful “marching” steps, gradual turns, and strong rib and hip actions. However, there are plenty of advanced steps and techniques to be learned from Merengue, and all Latin dancers should spend some time taking in all it has to offer.

The Salsa is arguably the most popular of all current partner dances, and for good reason. The salsa is a fun, flirty, and simple dance designed to accommodate the many different styles of music that make up its history. Usually danced quite quickly, salsa is a fun way to get in shape, work on musicality, and introduce yourself to the “language” of Latin dancing.

The Argentine Tango, so named in ballroom circles to distinguish it from its more formal counterpart, is one of the most easily recognizable and beloved dances in the world. Although its more taboo origins are widely known, the sultry, passionate, dance that comes from deep in the heart of Buenos Aires is now seen as a beautiful expression of romance, drama, and sometimes even playfulness. Noted for its closed embrace, improvisational swivels, and quick leg flicks the Argentine Tango is the perfect dance for those looking to escape life for a while.

The Hustle is perhaps the most misunderstood of all partner dances. It is often associated with the song that bears its name or perhaps the iconic moves of John Travolta. However, the hustle as a partner dance is a fast-paced, quick turning, show stopper on the dance floor that is sure to be a hit at any wedding reception or gala. Hustle takes its cues from Latin dancing, but its heart lies in the club beats found in the 1970’s New York discotheques of its origin! Hustle is the perfect dance for beginners looking to make a splash!

Hailing from Angola, the Kizomba is one of the most recent partner dances to sweep the country. Kizomba relies heavily on close partnering and musicality and is a dance that is very easy to get hooked on. Although the dance can be quite sensual if desired, it is not out of place on a social dance floor and is sometimes confused with other dances of similar musical styles. The basic steps can be learned quite quickly, but a lot of skill and body awareness goes into mastering this passionate dance.

The sexy Bachata is rooted in guitar music from the Dominican Republic and has taken the salsa club dance scene by storm! Like Kizomba, the basics of bachata are quite simple to learn, making it a fun dance for beginners, but the subtleties that make bachata so alluring can keep a student occupied for a long time. Bachata features a very grounded leg action, smooth hip motions, and a signature “tap” accented on the fourth beat of a measure either with the hip or the foot. Anyone looking to enjoy a night of salsa dancing will certainly want to learn some bachata as well!