Ballroom dance is a captivating world with a stunning variety of styles. Whether you’re taking your first steps or are a seasoned dancer, understanding the different types of ballroom dances can greatly enrich your experience. This comprehensive Ballroom Dances List will guide you through 19 unique styles, each with its own character and charm.
International Latin
Explore the vibrant world of International Latin Dance Style
International Latin dances are known for their energetic rhythms, sharp movements, and passionate expressions. These dances are dynamic and captivating, perfect for those who love to showcase flair and intensity.
1. Cha Cha
The Cha Cha is a playful and flirtatious dance of Cuban origin. Characterized by its signature “cha cha cha” rhythm and sharp, straight-leg action, the International Cha Cha is a lively and engaging dance. It’s known for its syncopated steps and continuous movement, making it a favorite for social and competitive dancers alike.
Learn How to Dance Cha Cha with our guide
2. Samba
Originating from the Brazilian carnival, the Samba in ballroom is a high-energy, bouncy dance. While traditional Brazilian Samba is often danced solo, International Latin Samba is a partnered dance that retains the vibrant rhythms and festive spirit of its roots. Known for its complex timings and upbeat tempo, Samba is an exhilarating and physically demanding dance.
Discover How to Dance Samba and feel the rhythm
3. Rumba
The Rumba, often called the “dance of love,” is the slowest of the International Latin dances, emphasizing romance and connection. Despite its slower tempo, Rumba is rich with expressive movements and tells a story of love and passion between partners. International Rumba, distinguished by its straight-leg action, focuses on controlled movements and dramatic pauses.
Master the moves with our guide on How to Dance Rumba
4. Paso Doble
With its dramatic flair, Paso Doble draws inspiration from the Spanish bullfight. Originating in France, this dance embodies the drama and intensity of the bullring, with the male partner typically portraying the matador and the female partner representing either the matador’s cape or a flamenco dancer. French terminology, like “apel,” adds to its unique character. Paso Doble is powerful and visually striking, demanding strong posture and sharp, deliberate movements.
Unleash your inner matador and learn How to Dance Paso Doble
5. Jive
Jive is the most energetic and joyful of the International Latin dances, a true party on the dance floor. Built from various swing dance styles like East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, Jive is characterized by its fast footwork, kicks, and flicks. Its upbeat tempo and playful nature make Jive a crowd-pleasing and exhilarating dance to watch and perform.
Get ready to party and learn How to Dance Jive
International Ballroom
Step into elegance with International Ballroom Dance Style
International Ballroom dances are the epitome of grace and sophistication. These dances are characterized by elegant movements, flowing figures, and a strong emphasis on partnership and frame. Danced in a closed hold, International Ballroom dances are timeless and refined.
6. Waltz
The Waltz is the quintessential ballroom dance, synonymous with elegance and romance. Think of classic fairy tales and ballroom scenes – that’s the Waltz. Known for its signature “1-2-3” count and graceful rise and fall action, the International Waltz is danced entirely in a closed hold, emphasizing continuous flow and partnership.
Glide across the floor with our guide on How to Dance Waltz
7. Tango
The Tango in its International Ballroom form is fiery and passionate, marked by sharp, staccato movements and powerful leg actions. Unlike other International Ballroom dances, Tango is danced without body rise, creating a grounded and linear appearance. Its dramatic character and varied dance positions make Tango a technically intriguing and emotionally charged dance.
Feel the passion and learn How to Dance Tango
8. Viennese Waltz
Originating from Vienna, Austria, the Viennese Waltz is a fast-paced, whirling dance. Significantly faster than the regular Waltz, it focuses on continuous, rotating movements around the dance floor. Comprised of only a few figures, the Viennese Waltz emphasizes smooth, voluminous movements and the exhilaration of constant motion.
Whirl into excitement and learn How to Dance Viennese Waltz
9. Foxtrot
The Foxtrot, in its International Ballroom style, is smooth and flowing, resembling waves on the shore. Known for its intricate rise and fall and smooth, gliding steps, the Foxtrot is often considered one of the most technically challenging ballroom dances due to its subtlety and nuanced movements.
Master the smoothness with our guide on How to Dance Foxtrot
10. Quickstep
Quickstep is a lively and energetic ballroom dance characterized by its fast tempo and playful movements. Incorporating hops, kicks, and runs, Quickstep dancers navigate the floor with speed and precision, creating a sense of lighthearted fun and skillful footwork while maintaining the closed hold.
American Rhythm
Experience the energy of American Rhythm Dance Style
American Rhythm dances are vibrant and expressive, blending Latin influences with swing and other social dance elements. These dances are known for their rhythmic hip action, bent-leg styling, and versatility, making them popular in social dance settings.
11. Cha Cha
The American Rhythm Cha Cha shares similarities with its International counterpart but is danced with a bent-leg to straight-leg action, a defining feature of the American style. While figures may be similar, they often have different names and are executed with slightly varied techniques, giving American Cha Cha a distinct feel.
Explore the American style and learn How to Dance Cha Cha
12. Rumba
American Rhythm Rumba is a blend of International Cha Cha and Rumba elements, resulting in a faster-paced and more upbeat dance than International Rumba. Characterized by strong “Cuban action” – accentuated hip movements – and a bent-to-straight leg action, American Rumba is both romantic and rhythmically dynamic.
Feel the Cuban beat and learn How to Dance Rumba
13. East Coast Swing
East Coast Swing, a distinctly American dance, originated in the early 20th century on the East Coast of North America. While less bouncy and slower than Jive, East Coast Swing is full of fun and infectious energy. Its grounded style and rhythmic patterns make it a crowd-pleaser and a great introduction to swing dancing.
Get swinging with our guide on How to Dance East Coast Swing
14. Bolero
Bolero is a unique and graceful American Rhythm dance that combines elements of American Waltz and International Rumba. This fusion creates a dance with a smooth, flowing quality, similar to Rumba but with the added rise and fall action from Waltz. Bolero is expressive and romantic, emphasizing musicality and fluid movements.
Discover the flow and learn How to Dance Bolero
15. Mambo
Mambo is a fiery and energetic Cuban dance, synonymous with celebration and fiesta. Featuring vibrant shimmies and shakes, Mambo typically breaks on count two and is related to Salsa and Cumbia. In social dance settings, Mambo is interpreted in diverse ways, reflecting its rich cultural influences.
Bring the fiesta to the floor and learn How to Dance Mambo
American Smooth
Discover the freedom of American Smooth Dance Style
American Smooth dances offer a blend of International Ballroom elegance with the freedom to break from the closed hold. Incorporating elements of Jazz and Contemporary dance, American Smooth allows for more open movements, varied partnering positions, and expressive styling.
16. Waltz
American Smooth Waltz retains the classic “1-2-3” beat of International Waltz but introduces open movements and varied holds. Seamlessly transitioning between closed position, shadow position, and side-by-side arrangements, Smooth Waltz offers dancers greater freedom of expression and choreography while maintaining the Waltz’s inherent grace.
Experience the freedom and learn How to Dance Waltz
17. Tango
Smooth Tango merges the passionate intensity of International Tango with Argentinian Tango elements and the freedom of open movements. Characterized by staccato actions, sharp lines, and dramatic changes in direction, Smooth Tango retains the Tango’s dramatic flair while allowing for more expansive and contemporary styling.
Embrace the drama and learn How to Dance Tango
18. Foxtrot
American Smooth Foxtrot, popularized by Harry Fox, is a jazzy and charming dance known for its smooth transitions and upbeat character. Slightly faster than International Foxtrot, Smooth Foxtrot has a brighter, more energetic feel, reminiscent of the iconic dance duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Channel your inner Fred and Ginger and learn How to Dance Foxtrot
19. Viennese Waltz
Smooth Viennese Waltz offers a billowy and emotional take on the fast-paced Viennese Waltz. Significantly slower than its International counterpart, Smooth Viennese Waltz allows dancers to explore a wider range of dance positions and styling, enabling richer storytelling and emotional expression within the dance.
Tell your story on the floor and learn How to Dance Viennese Waltz
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