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ACDA Dance Studio.  Ballroom, Latin, Country, Salsa & Swing
Dances We Teach

We teach all Partner Dances in Country, Ballroom, Latin, Salsa & Swing. You will notice that some dance names carry over in to different dance styles. Although, for example, a Cha Cha is categorized as Country and Ballroom, there are slightly different techniques, characteristics and stlying that create the feel and style of the dance. You will also notice that some of the dances have the same or similar count, does that meant that if you know one, you would know the other? Absolutely not. Although dances may have the same timing, the rhythm, style, character, technique, step patterns, look and feel are different in each dance. As with everything there is history and theory behind it. We will give you as much knowledge, training (both visual and pratical) to achieve whatever your dancing goals may be.

Country Style Dances:
 
Two-Step

Your classic Country dance. The proper way of Two-Stepping is unlike what you might see at the local bars. This dance feels like walking, it is not a smooth or rhythm style dance. It travels around the floor in a counter-clockwise direction even while the lady is turning. Basic count is quick, quick, slow, slow. (1, 2, 3, 5)

 

Cha Cha

This dance is all about passion and being flirtatious. It is a rhythm, latin style dance and is danced at a slightly slower tempo within the Country style. It can be known within the country circuit as a Country Cha Cha and though it's style of dance also suits latin, it can be danced to many Top 40 hit songs. Both have Cuban motion. Basic count is 1, 2, 3, 4 &.

 

Double Shuffle

This dance follows along the same lines as Two-Step, as you can use many of the same dance patterns. This dance though has a triple step instead of the slow, slow count. It's a great alternative for live band music where dancing a Two-Step would be too slow. The basic count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6 (triple step, triple step, walk, walk).

 

Waltz

Waltz is an elegant dance whether Country or Ballroom. The American style is danced with many open partner positions rather than all in a closed dance frame like the International style. This is a smooth dance and has rise and fall when done properly. The basic count is 1, 2, 3, but is danced 3, 1, 2 for a smooth flow. The music for Waltz is different to other dances as it is in 3/4 timing rather than the standard 4/4 timing.

 

Triple-Two Step

This is a romantc dance. It would be like walking hand in hand through a park with your loved-one. It is used in Country competitions and it's technique is more complex than Double Shuffle. It flows arond the floor with a graceful sway. The basic count is 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6.

 

Night Club

This is another romantic dance. This dance embraces the two of you as if no-body else were around. Inspired by the basic stand and sway with each other on the floor dance; this dance has evolved in to a beautiful slow dance that can be danced to many ballards. The basic count is 1, 2 & 3, 4 &

 

East Coast Swing

A lively dance from the Swing/Jive family. East Coast Swing is the Country style of Swing/Jive. It is danced at a slightly slower tempo than Jive or American Swing. It has a bounce that is down and up only to neutral. A fun dance that would suit a lot of music played at most funtions you may attend. The basic count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6.

 

West Coast Swing

This dance will get you hooked! Not an easy dance to start with, but this dance is very versitile and works with pretty much any music style out there, It originates from Blues music but is now danced to Pop / Rock / Ballards and many more types of music. There is a big communtiy of dancers that just focus on West Coast Swing. It differs because, unlike most dances where the male and female steps mirror each other, in this dance most steps do not. The basic count is 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6.

 

Polka

This is the fastest / liveliest dance of all the Country Dances. It's Country style differs from the German sytle Polka that some people may be familiar with. This dance has a bounce. It has a lilt and rise but keeps grounded without skipping up off the floor. Make sure you have some room on the dance floor as you could be lapping pretty quick! The basic count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4.

 

 
Ballroom Style Dances:
Ballroon dances are smooth dances. They have a reach and pull motion to allow them to glide gracefully around the floor. When done correctly the technique provides swing and sway, rise and fall which takes a lot of control and balance.
Waltz

Waltz is an elegant dance whether Country or Ballroom. The American style is danced with many open partner positions rather than all in a closed dance frame like the International style. This is a smooth dance and has rise and fall when done properly. The basic count is 1, 2, 3, but is danced 3, 1, 2 for a smooth flow. The music for Waltz is different to other dances as it is in 3/4 timing rather than the standard 4/4 timing.

 

Fox Trot

A slow dance and relevant music could be your Crooner type songs, like Frank Sinatra, or newer, Micheal Buble. The basics of this dance makes it one of the easier dances to start with. Done properly it has rise and fall and a graceful flow. The basic count is slow, slow, quick, quick. (1, 3, 5, 6)

 

Tango

This dance has a lot of feeling. Like a couple in love but that has had an argument. It has sharp moves but within that has a powerful flow around the floor. Classic American / International style Tango also suits some of the modern music that is played. The basic count is slow, slow, quick, quick, slow (1, 3, 5, 6, 7.)

 

Quickstep

With striding steps, this dance moves around the floor quickly.. The technique to keep this dance smooth and graceful but lively is the thing to master. Not a beginner dance but a joy to watch and experience when done correctly. The basic standardized count is slow, quick, quick (1, 3, 4.). Or dancing through split measures SQQS

 

Vienesse Waltz

A faster Waltz. Known in some format as Old-Time Waltz. The technique to keep this dance smooth and graceful as it turns so quickly around the floor is the thing to master. It can be adapted to a more simpler stlye when a Waltz is necessary but the music is faster than your standard slow Waltz. The basic count is 1, 2, 3.

 

 
Latin Style Dances:

All Latin style dances have cuban motion when done correctly. Isolation of the back, ribs and hips. Some dances are slower and some are faster. They all have a powerful delivery with the motion being more stucato.

 

Cha Cha

This dance is all about passion and being flirtatious. It is a rhythm, latin style dance and within the Latin style is danced at a faster tempo than the Country style. Although it's style of dance also suits Country, it can be danced to many Top 40 hit songs. Both have Cuban motion. Basic count is 1, 2, 3, 4 &.

 

Rumba

American style Rumba is dance at a slightly faster tempo than International style Rumba. Done correctly this dance will have a slow cuban motion. Known for it's sexy Rumba walks this dance is a slow romantic dance. The basic count is slow, quick, quick, slow (1, 3, 4, 5.)

 

Samba

An upbeat dance with a unique tempo. This dance has cuban motion. This dance has a sharp but fluid style which is fun and lively. The emphasis being on the later part of the beat making the basic count 1, a, 2, 3, a 4.

 

Jive

This dance is fast in the Interantional Latin style and the steps are danced more on the spot. It has a triple step count. The basic count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6. A popular dance for social events to 50's, 60's, 70's music.

 
Salsa Style Dances:
These dances are still categorized as Latin style dances, but are more your street stlye Latin dances than Ballroom style Latin dances.
Salsa

We teach LA style Salsa which is on the 1 beat. Salsa can also be danced on 2 (Mambo) which is the same format just starts on a different beat. A dance with lots of spinning for the lady. This dance has cuban motion and the music is usually quite fast so steps are small with lots of body isolation to ribs and hips. The basic count is 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7.

 

Merengue

This is the simplest dance of all! This dance has cuban motion. It's patterns can be more complex but as the step count is consistent and simple the patterns are easier to comprehend. The basic count is 1, 2.

 

 
Swing Style Dances:

These dances originated from Charleston, then came Lindy (Hop). This then split in to Big Band music and Blues music, the Big Band music became the style for Jive, American Swing and East Coast Swing (Country) and Blues music became the style for West Coast Swing (though nowadays is danced to all kinds of music).

 

East Coast Swing

A lively dance from the Swing/Jive family. East Coast Swing is the Country style of Swing/Jive. It is danced at a slightly slower tempo than Jive or American Swing. It has a bounce that is down and up only to neutral. A fun dance that would suit a lot of music played at most funtions you may attend. The basic count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6.

 

American Swing

This is danced at a slightly slower tempo than International style Jive but a little faster than East Coast Swing (Country) and has the emphasis on the 2 rather than 1 with the step on 2 being a slight side step rather than on the spot. A popular dance for social events to 50's, 60's, 70's music. The basic count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6.

 

Jive

This dance is fast in the Interantional Latin style and the steps are danced more on the spot. It has a triple step count. The basic count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6. A popular dance for social events (if you can keep up the fast pace!)

 

Single Count Jive / American Swing

This dance is a single count step pattern to keep it simple and easier to dance to when the music gets faster. A popular dance for social events to 50's, 60's, 70's music. The basic count is 1, 3, 5, 6.

 

 
Other Style Dances:
Disco Waltz

This dance was created for wedding couples as a simple dance style for their First Dance. It suits most Ballards. With simple step patterns and some slow turns it's a perfect alternative to the "High School" sway. The basic count is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

 

Hustle
A 70's inspired dance style. Normally danced to Disco Music. The basic count is &,1, 2, 3.
 
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