“I highly recommend this studio to anyone who wants to learn to dance or develop into a competitive dancer!”
— Jon F, October 2023
The Dance Styles We Teach
We offer instruction in both International and American Ballroom Styles, and then some! No matter your age, ability level or whether you’re planning to take lessons with a dance partner or on your own – you’ve come to the right place.
Here in the United States, the American Style of ballroom dance developed mainly due to the influence of American jazz music, a more social approach to dancing and the iconic dance and choreography talents of Mr. Fred Astaire. It is categorized into Rhythm and Smooth, and is used in both social and competitive ballroom dance arenas.
Rhythm Dances
These dances typically keep the couple in one spot on the dance floor.
Salsa
Oozing with a sensuous style, Salsa has it all – passion, energy, and joy. There are several popular styles.
West Coast Swing
Easily adapted to contemporary music, its slower tempo and relaxed movement incorporates many forms of swing.
Cha Cha
A lively, flirtatious dance full of passion and energy. The tempo is anywhere from slow and staccato to fast and lively.
East Coast Swing
This dance employs a relaxed shuffling movement, and use of upper body sway is also used to highlight the swing.
Hustle
Developed during the “disco era” of the 1970s, this is a fast, upbeat dance with many similarities to early swing dancing.
Paso Doble
This lively dance originated in France and is modeled after the sound, drama, and movement of a Spanish bullfight.
Rumba
Characterized by a smooth, subtle hip motion and a heavy walking step, perhaps the most romantic of all dances.
Mambo
The Mambo is one of the most emotional Latin American ballroom dances, developed in Cuba in the 1940s.
Samba
One of the most popular of all Brazilian ballroom dances, the Samba is a festive and lighthearted serenade.
Bolero
Bolero is truly the “dance of love.” One of the most expressive and beautiful dances you’ll ever see on the floor.
Merengue
A fun, fast and easy dance made up of simple steps that is characterized by its marching rhythms and Cuban motion.
Jive
This lively form of swing dance originated in the United States as a variation of the Jitterbug and other swing dances.
Smooth Dances
These dances are performed with the couple moving over the entire dance floor.
Waltz
This dance is marked by long, flowing movements, where dancers appear to glide around the floor.
Foxtrot
Excellent for beginners and is best known for smooth, flowing movements across the floor to swing or big-band music.
Tango
Fascinating and unique, Tango is a vibrant, playful, and sensual dance filled with expression and connection.
Argentine Tango
Said to be felt in the heart, not the feet, this form of tango relies on intuition and connection.
Quickstep
With its roots in Ragtime, this is a very quick version of the foxtrot using syncopated fee rhythms and runs.
Viennese Waltz
With steps slightly different than slow waltz, this is a quick rotating ballroom dance with a subtle rise and fall.
International Versus American Style
International Style is the classic “old school” style of Ballroom. In International Standard, dance partners must remain in a closed dance position continually — meaning they stand in front of each other, in body contact throughout the dance. American Smooth is similar, but does allow the dancers to separate — called “open position” — in their dance frame. American Style can also include “Exhibition” solo work which allows the couple more freedom in their choreography.