Types of Dances

DancEnergy teaches all the most popular styles of social dancing as well as traditional ballroom dances.  The following is a brief description of a wide variety of dance styles we teach in our group classes and private lessons.

Argentine Tango - The Argentine style of Tango, which is usually danced in a close embrace, is characterized by grapevines, figure eights, and other interesting and complex leg and foot movements. The Argentine style does not travel as much as the American style and thus is better suited for nightclub dancing.

Bachata - The Bachata is sometimes referred to as the "blues music of the Dominican Republic." Its music is usually romantic and grew out of the Bolero, but with time, became influenced by Merengue. The basic footwork pattern is three steps in one direction and then a hip motion. Then repeat other side. As with other Latin dances, the character of the dance is achieved through sensual hip and body movements.

Cha Cha - The Cha Cha adds fun to your dancing through its syncopated steps and many open movements. When you can dance many interesting combinations with ease, you and your partner will be able to feel the pulsating Latin rhythms which make this dance so fascinating.

East Coast Swing - East Coast is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and is easily mastered by most people. The various speeds are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading & following which will add comfort and ease in other rhythm dances.

Fox Trot - Fox Trot is a basic dance from which you can acquire a foundation. Learning to combine dance steps easily and smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. The Fox Trot posture is attractive in appearance and helpful to all other dances. Being able to dance to slow, medium, and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner.

Hustle - Hustle originated in the 1970's Disco Era and was popularized by John Travolta in the movie "Saturday Night Fever." Both the music and the dance swept the country like wildfire, and although the white suits and gold chains have faded away, the dance has stayed, giving us the fusion of Swing and Disco.

Jive - Jive is an international competitive Swing dance with elements of the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug. Jive is characterized by up-tempo, rock, big-band type music, danced with single or triple steps, done primarily on the balls of the feet with lively movement.

Line Dancing - Line dancing is a dance in which individuals line up without partners and follow a choreographed pattern of steps to music. A fun alternative to partner dancing, this class teaches new dances each week, so you may drop in as you like.

Merengue - Merengue develops Cuban Motion and it's very easy to learn. Its uncomplicated timing makes it easy to feel the music. It is the only Latin dance that combines one-step timing with Cuban Motion and therefore is a help to all Latin dances.

Polka - This fast and lively dance is of Polish origin, but is now very popular in the Country Western clubs. It is characterized by triple steps.

Quickstep - Quickstep is the English version of the Fast Fox Trot, which has quick hopping steps set in with the smoother gliding figures. It is very popular in Europe as a competition dance. It ranks among the "Big Five."

Rumba - Learning the Rumba is a prerequisite for good Latin dancing. The Cuban Motion is essential in most Latin dances. The Rumba is used by good dancers everywhere and provides interesting variety suited to a limited space. Neat, attractive, precise footwork gives you confidence in your dancing. The Rumba will sharpen your sense of rhythm, timing, and muscular control.

Salsa - Salsa is the Spanish word for "sauce" denoting a "spicy" and "hot" flavor to this popular dance style to a complex mix of many different rhythms. There are indications the term Salsa was coined by radio disc jockeys in Puerto Rico as early as the 1960's. Later associated with a New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians, Salsa is considered the national music and dance of Puerto Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Cuban beat with enhanced jazz textures results in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere.

Salsa On2 - A popular Latin nightclub dance where the movements emphasize the second beat in the measure, rather than the 1st beat, suggestive of the Clave rhythm which is fundamental to Salsa music.

Samba - Samba improves the flexibility of the body and helps achieve easy movement and lightness. The Samba rolling action teaches the body to be supple. To move lightly, quickly, and smoothly without effort takes study but only at the start. Although considered a good exercise, Samba should be danced smoothly and in a relaxed manner giving the appearance of effortless movement.

Slow Nightclub - Nightclub is a soft intimate dance, which is danced to slow ballads. Lateral in movement, this dance looks like a wheat field swaying in a soft breeze.

Tango - The Tango is one of the most beautiful of all the dances. It is characterized by earthy and dramatic movements. In order to achieve the distinctive style of Tango, it is important to develop controlled staccato footwork along with fluid graceful movements. The unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing which develops as the dancer becomes more proficient.

Triple Two - This dance resembles Fox Trot with an East Coast Swing rhythm, the rock step is replaced with walking steps and it becomes a progressive dance down the floor. Similar to Two Step music, the music is slower in speed.

Two Step - The Two Step originated in the 1800's by people who arrived here from Europe. It was an offspring of the minuet and they danced it as QQSS. Popularized in the eighties by the movie “Urban Cowboy”, Two Step is fast paced with multiple turns. This exciting dance that is awesome for faster country music.

Viennese Waltz - With such wonderful composers as Johann Strauss and others, the Waltz became more and more refined. The steps became smaller with the turns smoother and more compact. Adding the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts we have today's Viennese Waltz.

Waltz - Waltz develops balance and control. The basic Waltz steps are the foundation patterns used in most ballroom dances. Correct posture, rise and fall, and flowing movements should be stressed to achieve good styling. The elegant sweeping movement of the Waltz gives dancers a chance to practice balance and to move lightly with ease.

West Coast Swing - West Coast Swing is the most advanced form of the Swing dances because of the use of "compression" and "leverage," an obvious stretching, rubber band like movement. It’s a great partner dance that allows the female the freedom to stylize her movements within the framework of the male lead. It’s danced to a variety of music from smooth jazz to funky hip hop.