Latin and Ballroom

Rumba

Slow and romantic, the Rumba is the most sensual of the Latin dances. Motion is produced through a transfer of body weight and not from direct movement of the hips. Couples dance very closely together, using their body language to express emotion between them. The Rumba is sometimes referred to as the “Dance of Love” because couples stare deeply into each other’s eyes while they dance.

Waltz

The Waltz, with its 3/4 rhythms and strong accent on the first beat, was born in the suburbs of Vienna. When the dance was first introduced in the early 19th century, people were shocked since it was the first ballroom dance where the man put his hand on a woman’s waist! 

Tango

The Tango, a sensual, dramatic dance made famous by Rudolph Valentino, originated in Buenos Aires and was stylized by the Gauchos in Argentina. The Tango is known for flexing steps and posed pauses.

Viennese Waltz

The Viennese Waltz, made popular in the 1880s by the invigorating music of Johann Strauss, is a very fast version of the waltz at a tempo of about 180 beats a minute. This dance is characterized by its fast pace and continuous circling. 

Quickstep

The quickstep is a light-hearted dance. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat  melodies.

Quickstep was developed in the 1920s in New York City and was first danced by Caribbean and African dancers. Its origins are in combination of slow foxtrot combined with the Charleston.