Latin Ballroom
Latin Ballroom dances are distinguished by their dynamic yet fluid actions, fuelled by the dancers' deep passions and explosive energy. Performers and competitors are often dressed in eye-catching costumes that highlight their hip actions and body movement.
Samba
The Samba
The Samba, a dance of Brazilian origins, is known for its festival and carnival-like dance moves that complement the heavy drum and beats of the Samba music. Characterised by its lively and rhythmic body actions involving the hips, pelvis and torsos, that Samba is an ostentatious dance that exudes an upbeat and party-like atmosphere, inviting everyone to peacock, partake and dance.
The Samba is also a dance of showmanship, perfect for individuals looking to impress, as well as those learning to do so. Beyond the aesthetics, the Samba is also a dance that requires its dancers to master bodily control before finally being granted the ability to execute its free and fluid movements.
Rumba
The Rumba
The Rumba (Rhumba), was originally used in Cuba to denote any “party”. Today, it is known as the “Dance of Love”, often seen as the more romantic counterpart of the “Cha Cha Cha”. The dance style is extremely versatile and can be easily danced to both classical Latin and modern pop music.
The Rumba is also known for being the key dance in Latin Ballroom dancing. Its fundamental figures allow both beginners to quickly assimilate themselves, while providing advanced dancers to re-familiarise themselves with crucial basic figures whilst in the pursuit of other advanced figures. Furthermore, the many basic and versatile steps of the Rumba makes it the choice of dance for warming up by dancers of all levels.
Cha Cha Cha
The Cha Cha Cha
The Cha Cha Cha (also known as the Cha-Cha), is a popular dance that originated from Cuba, widely danced socially as well as the first few introductory dances of Latin Ballroom. Known for its cheeky and flirtatious hip movements, the Cha Cha can be easily picked up and danced to modern and popular pop music, its catchy beat also makes this dance an easy favourite at parties and social dancing events for all ages.
The name of this dance style is intertwined with the shuffling movement created by the dancers’ feet when they dance two consecutive quick steps on the fourth count of the beat. And so became the popularised and familiar counts of “Two, Three, Four and One” or “Two, Three, Cha-Cha-Cha”.
Paso Doble
The Paso Doble
The Paso Doble, is famous both for its powerful and dramatic dance style, as well as Spanish heritage. The dance emphasises on sharp and swift movements that are closely associated to the Flamenco and Matador (Bull Fight).
During the dance, the man takes after the Matador and the woman usually alternates her role between the bull and the cape. The dance is highly characterised by its theatrical attributes and is usually danced to key musical pieces with notable highlights, including the Espana Cani. Overflowing with passion, power and pride, the Paso Doble remains a key highlight in both performances and competitions.
Jive
The Jive
The Jive is an energetic and lively dance that originated from the African-Americans in the USA. It is closely associated with the Jitterbug and East Coast Swing, mainly distinguished through its knee-lifting, hip-rocking and triple-step movements (Chasse). Recognised as the fastest dance in the Latin Ballroom discipline, the Jive is perfect for anyone looking to liven up their party, dance vocabulary or cardio routine.
The Jive follows a six-beat pattern and can be danced to any Rock and Roll, Swing and Boogie Woogie music that usually follows an eight-beat pattern. Depending on the beats-per-minute during classes, performances or competitions, dancers can expect themselves to be dancing within the range of 120 – 176 BPMs.
Standard Ballroom
Standard Ballroom dances are easily recognised by their close hold frames that are largely maintained throughout the respective dances. For competitions and performances, Gents are usually dressed in the traditional dashing tailcoats and the Ladies, in beautiful, dreamy and whimsical gowns.
Waltz
The Waltz
The Waltz (Slow Waltz) is the true classic of Standard Ballroom dancing. Famous and easily recognised for its undeniable stature as a hallmark and statement dance style for royals and the upper class, in both fantasies and realities. An easy favourite amongst both beginner and advanced learners, the Slow Waltz consists of many key foundational steps that are also crucial to the other swing dances, including the Quickstep, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.
From the olden times to modern day, the Waltz remains as the “it” dance to learn for all first-time dancers, as it is easily a crowd pleaser that remains both popular and timeless. Go ahead, and Waltz right into our mailbox or Whatsapp inbox.
Tango
The Tango
The Tango first originated in Argentine, and its evolved ballroom variation is a passionate dance known for its sharp staccato movements. Dancers find true satisfaction when their connection binds both dancers and music into one entity, that can be seen through the highlights and passionate rhythms of the Tango.
The Tango and its many variations have also been heavily popularised in movies alongside its more mellow counterpart, the Waltz. This includes the Argentine Tango, American Style and its International Style.
The Tango in ballroom dancing is an evolved variation from where the dance first originated between the borders of Argentine and Uruguay. The ballroom style today is a result of previous and on-going influences by International show and competitive variations.
Quickstep
The Quickstep
The Quickstep is a light-hearted medley of power, speed, grace and joy, all in one. A dance stemming from the Foxtrot, Charleston and a few others, dancers easily find themselves blooming and blossoming to the joyous and enjoyable upbeat melodies of the Quickstep Swing music.
Still, don’t be swayed by its fast and swift movements, just like all other dances, the Quickstep has something to offer for dancers of all levels. Once you’ve mastered the art of speed and stride control, you’ll soon find yourself hopping and brimming freely.
Foxtrot
The Foxtrot
The Foxtrot is a dance of beauty, elegance and sophistication. Easily distinguished by its smooth, progressive and continuously flowing movements, its graceful gliding strides are complete with a tasteful air of sensuality that is synonymous with its genre of music.
Best danced to the big bands in halls of grandeur, it’s no wonder that it still retains its reputation as one of the toughest Ballroom dance to master, it’s usually the last or second last dance for both social and competitive dancers to learn.
Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz, is best described as dreamy and whimsical. This rotary dance first originated in Austria and Germany and was later fashioned by dance masters to be the first classic partner court dance.
The Viennese Waltz consists of natural and reverse turns, as well as in between connecting steps. In contrast to the Slow Waltz, the Viennese Waltz is danced at twice the speed.
Above all, it’s a timeless classic that will make all the ladies feel like Princess and the gents, her Prince.
Social Ballroom
All Standard and Latin Ballroom dances can be danced socially as well. The following social dances are largely partnership-driven and emphasises more on the lead-and-follow element of the dance and dancers. Social dances are largely more for social functions and can be easily danced between different partners.
Salsa
The Salsa
Salsa! The first dance to come to anyone’s mind when you mention Latin or Social Ballroom dancing! First popularised in New York City in the 1960s, the dance style has had many influences and variations including the classic Cuban, Puerto Rican, Cali Colombian, Los Angeles and finally, New York style.
Its dynamic, fast and rhythmic dance actions are synonymous to its music genre. Keen to pick up Salsa? You can expect to be kept on your toes with lots of lead-and-follow, partnership connection as well as spins and turns from this flavourful dance!
Bachata
The Bachata
The Bachata originated from the Dominican Republic. Its allure and sensuality are largely attributed to the control of the body and hip through isolation and movement. Like its sizzling counterpart, the Salsa, the Bachata also has many influences and variants including the Western, Modern, Ballroom and Sensual style.
Easily danced it an opened, semi-closed or closed position, the Bachata is the easiest dance style to pick up as well as to scale if one is looking to have better body control and musicality.
Disco Rock and Roll
The Disco Rock and Roll
The Disco Rock and Roll is hands-down the most underrated Singaporean dance style ever invented by the local community. With much international ballroom influences, it was first danced largely in the YMCA. The Disco Rock and Roll is easily danced to any eight-beat disco track. The dance style consists of forward and backward rock actions interchanged throughout the dance. It’s easy to learn and execute, perfect for any party of all ages!