BALLROOM
Waltz
A smooth romantic dance in ¾ time which first developed in Vienna to the Strauss music of the time and then developed into the Slow English Waltz. The rhythm has a strong first beat followed by two lighter beats. These coincide as steps as you dance. This is a popular slow and elegant dance in which you and your partner move as if you are one.
Foxtrot
The Foxtrot is a slow and graceful dance rooted in the Tin Pan Ally of the 1920s. The dance's elegant and beautiful movements make the Foxtrot a challenging dance for ballroom dancers to master requiriing control and style.
Vienese Waltz
As the name suggests this dance is linked to Vienna where the Aristocracy danced the Viennese Walt to music by Strauss and other classical composers. This dance whirls around the floor at a fast pace and is very similar to the Waltz. Poise is very important as you glide over the floor.
Quickstep
The first dancers to take the Foxtrot to a faster tempo introduced the Quickstep. There are echoes of Charleston in the Quickstep with the dance's nimble hops, kicks, chasses, lock steps making it a fast moving, fun and bubbly dance.
Tango
A passionate, staccato dance with a definite movement that originated in Argentina. More regimented than the Argentine Tango and with some fantastic sharp music.
LATIN
Cha Cha Cha
This is a very exciting popular Latin American dance comprising three movements and a chasse. Full of wiggle, life and the Latin rhythm, it is a favourite of many dancers and can be danced to chart music.
Rumba
The most erotic and sensuous of the Latin dances, tells a story of lovers and the wonder of romance. It is a slow dance and has a strong hip action to enhance your action and is similar in foot positions to the Cha Cha Cha.
Samba
Originally from Rio, Brazil this dance has been adapted for today’s dancing. It is sexy and erotic with an exciting bounce action created from use of the ankles and knees.
Jive
There are many different styles of Jive that have adjusted to the various music phases throughout the decades. The 1920s Lindy Hop, 1930s Jitterbug and Boogie Woogie, 1940s Swing, 1950s and 1960s Rock 'n' Roll and French Jive are all styles of Jive. Nowadays it is usually danced to modern jive music and is hugely popular, fast and exhilarating.
Paso Doble
During the Paso Double, the dancefloor becomes a Spanish bullfighting arena; the man is the matador; and the woman - the flowing provocative cape that entices the bull. This is mainly used as a competition and exhibition dance but can look good in a social dance setting.
OTHER STYLES
Salsa
Salsa is a fun and flirtatious Latin American dance, fuelled by Afro-Caribbean rhythms and all-night partying. The dance fuses Cuban, Puerto Rican and Columbian styles into simple and lively movements. Salsa dancers fill venues all over the UK, revelling in this hot Latin dance.
Mambo
When Lou Bega rereleased 'Mambo Number Five', dancefloors in the UK were once again alive with Mambo madness. A forerunner of Salsa, Mambo is defined by 1950s Cuban Jazz and accompanied by fast and fun moves. The dance makes a memorable appearance in the hit film 'Dirty Dancing' starring Patrick Swayze.
Merengue
The Merengue is the Caribbean Dominican Republic's party dance. Many of the movements are like those of Salsa, but as the Merengue's tempo is slower, the dance is easier to pick up.
Linedancing
The dance style where you don't need a partner! Danced in lines to a wide range of music in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Latin Rhythms Line
Dance without a partner and learn the basic steps in cha cha cha, salsa, jive, merangue, mambo etc to latin rhythms. Suitable for all ages and abilites.
Freestyle/Disco
Freestyle/disco is the trendiest and most popular form of dance in the UK today. It involves runs, spins, kicks and leaps as well as many other diverse steps and movements with lots of different arm and hand actions. The music can be fast and 'beaty' or slow and sensuous, allowing dancers of all ages to use freedom of expression to enhance their style.
Rock N Roll
Rock & Roll is an infectious rhythm popular with pupils of all ages. The rhythm creates a certain type of body movement. The turns and foot movement are created by this rhythmic action. For social dancers we teach a simple “kick step, kick step, back step” known as the basic, but try to encourage natural body movement & leg action. Those wishing to develop the dance further to include lifts can take personal tuition.
Streetdance
Have you ever seen the hottest pop band's music video or performance on Top of the Pops? Then you will already know what Streetdance looks like. Streetdance takes any form of popular music - from pop to hip hop - and choreographs routines to the beats. We have seen that, only too often, the most successful pop acts have made it big by combining Streetdance routines with their tunes and lyrics.