Elegant Dancing

There are so many ways to enjoy ballroom dancing! 

Dinner dances, dance cruises, business functions, fundraisers, studio dancing....

And for some, competitive dancing is their passion!  "Dancesport" requires a high level of commitment, time and training, but the rewards are many- stamina, strength, posture, poise, weight-loss. 

Featured below are some of Chris' students competing in "pro-am" dancesport events.

DESCRIPTION OF DANCES

FOXTROT:  A smooth 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 smooth, walking-style movements, but can be adapted to fit a variety of musical tempi and style, or to fit onto small, crowded nightclub dance floors.

WALTZ:   A ballroom dance in 3/4 time which first developed in Vienna as a fast paced dance to the Strauss music of the time, and eventually evolved into the slower version we now know as Waltz (or Slow Waltz).

TANGO:   A dance in 2/4 time, which originated in Argentina and is characterized by catlike walking action and staccato head movements.

QUICKSTEP:  An English style ballroom dance which is characterized by fast movement, often including a variety of hops, kicks, skips, lock steps and chasses.

RUMBA:  A slow- to medium-tempo Latin American dance in 4/4 time, which is characterized by sensual, provocative movements and gestures, Latin-style hip motion, and playful and flirtatious interplay between man and lady.

CHACHA:  An exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950's as a slowed-down Mambo. The Cha Cha gets its name and character from its distinct syncopated foot rhythm.

SWING:  A generic term to describe any form of Swing, such as East Coast, West Coast, Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, etc.

MAMBO:  A fast Latin dance, similar to Salsa, which comes from Cuba. Mambo was brought to America in the 1940's and 50's and eventually adapted as an American style ballroom dance. Most of the movements emphasize the second beat in the measure, suggestive of the Clave rhythm which is fundamental to Mambo music.

SAMBA:  A rhythmical Brazilian dance in 2/4 time which has been adapted for modern Ballroom dancing and incorporated into the repertoire of the Rhythm and Latin syllabi

MERENGUE:  An energetic Latin-style march which originated in the Dominican Republic, which emphasizes a straight-ahead 8-count rhythm taken with Cuban Motion. Merengue is now also a subset of the modern club-style Salsa dances.

HUSTLE:  A fast but smooth-moving dance which originated in the nightclubs of the 1970's disco era, as a modified version of swing. Hustle is noted for its fast and elaborate spins and turns, especially for the lady. It is also very easily adapted to crowded, nightclub dance floors.

SALSA:  A popular Latin nightclub dance which evolved as a modified form of Mambo.

WEST COAST SWING:  A slotted swing dance in 4/4 time, characterized by its smooth and linear style.