DANCE STYLE DESCRIPTIONS
Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop is an energetic and playful swing dance that originated in Harlem in the 1930s. This style combines jazz, tap, and other influences, with plenty of room for improvisation and personality.
Typically danced to big band swing and traditional Jazz music, Lindy Hop includes dynamic partner connection, rhythmic footwork, and fun patterns. It’s a favorite for dancers who love musicality, history, and energetic and joyful movement.
Country Swing
Country Swing is a fun, fast-paced, and accessible social dance style often seen in country bars. It blends elements of swing dances and two step, allowing dancers to improvise with spins and dips. Danced to modern and classic country music, this style is rhythmically flexible and perfect for dancers looking for a social, expressive, and laid-back partner dance style.
Country Two Step
Country Two Step is a smooth progressive partner dance characterized by its quick-quick-slow-slow rhythm. Danced around the floor in a counter-clockwise direction, this style is set to Country music with a faster beat. Whether you're dancing to George Strait or Morgan Wallen, the Two Step offers elegant movement with spins, turns, and lead-follow connection.
American Rumba
American Rumba is rhythm-based ballroom dance with Cuban roots. Originally danced to Latin music with a slow-quick-quick rhythm, this style can be danced to virtually any kind of music with the Rumba rhythm and medium tempo. This dance is fun, relaxing and great for fusing with other styles!
East Coast Swing (Single Swing)
East Coast Swing in single time is a versatile, beginner-friendly swing style that uses a slower rock step and two side steps (rock step, step, step). Danced to a wide range of music including early rock ’n’ roll, rhythm and blues, and up-tempo pop or jazz, it offers a fun and accessible way to enjoy partner dancing. With its clear rhythm and simple patterns, East Coast Swing is a great entry point for new dancers and a fun, bouncy social dance for all levels.
Blues
Blues dancing is a soulful, grounded partner dance developed alongside blues music in African American communities. It emphasizes connection, subtle weight shifts, and musical expression. Blues can be danced to a range of traditional and modern blues music, including Delta blues, Chicago blues, and electric blues.
Blues Fusion
Blues Fusion blends the soulful roots of blues dancing with elements from other styles like tango, contact improv, zouk, or waltz. It’s danced to an eclectic mix of music including electronic, downtempo, soul, and indie genres — anything with a bluesy or expressive vibe. Fusion emphasizes creativity, connection, and musical interpretation, making it a favorite for dancers who value expression and collaboration over prescribed patterns.
Waltz
Waltz is a graceful, flowing ballroom dance known for its rise-and-fall motion and elegant turns. Danced in 3/4 time with a strong accent on the first beat, waltz music includes modern ballads, classical compositions, and folk-inspired melodies. Waltz is a progressive dance that moves around the floor, and is ideal for dancers looking for poise, technique, and elegance.
Foxtrot
Foxtrot is a classic American ballroom dance characterized by smooth, continuous movement and a slow-slow-quick-quick rhythm. Danced to jazz standards, big band, or even contemporary crooners like Michael Bublé, Foxtrot offers long, gliding steps and a suave, polished style. It’s excellent for musical phrasing, lead-follow connection, and timeless charm.
West Coast Swing (Modern Swing)
West Coast Swing is a cool, elastic partner dance with roots in Lindy Hop and a modern twist. Known for its smooth style, slot-based movement, and strong emphasis on musicality, WCS is danced to a wide variety of music including R&B, pop, blues, hip hop, and acoustic. West Coast Swing is highly improvisational, allowing both partners creative freedom. It's ideal for dancers who enjoy versatility, connection, and musical play.
Cha Cha
Cha Cha is a lively Latin dance known for its syncopated rhythm and playful energy. Using a "2, 3, cha-cha" step pattern, this style is typically danced to upbeat Latin music like salsa, cha-cha classics, and Latin pop. With sharp footwork and flirtatious movement, Cha Cha combines rhythm and precision, making it both fun and stylish for dancers looking for a dynamic Latin dance experience.
Salsa on 1 and on 2
Salsa is a vibrant, high-energy partner dance rooted in Afro-Cuban and Latin American traditions. "On 1" (LA-style) breaks on the first beat and is commonly danced to fast-paced salsa music, emphasizing flashy turns and open patterns. "On 2" (New York-style) breaks on the second beat, offering a smoother, more rhythmically nuanced style with a closer connection to the clave rhythm. Salsa is danced to salsa dura, timba, and Latin jazz tracks. Whether you're dancing On 1 or On 2, the music is irresistible and the movement exhilarating.
Bachata
Bachata is a romantic and sensual partner dance originating from the Dominican Republic. Danced to music in 4/4 time with a steady beat and characteristic hip motion on the fourth step, Bachata has evolved into various styles, including traditional, modern, and sensual. The music includes Dominican bachata, modern Latin pop remixes, and urban tracks. With its intimate connection and expressive style, Bachata is a favorite for dancers of all levels.
Salsa Shines
Salsa Shines are solo footwork patterns danced during breaks in partner salsa dancing or as a standalone form. These sequences allow dancers to showcase rhythm, speed, and personal style, often incorporating syncopation, spins, and body movement. Danced to the same music as partner salsa, shines are a great way to develop musicality, confidence, and timing — ideal for those who want to add flair to their salsa dancing or improve their individual technique.