The Different Styles of Partner Dancing

American Classic Ballroom focuses on all styles of dancing. Whether you want social dancing, wedding dancing or competitive dancing, we have the styles to match your interest. From contemporary waltz and foxtrot to the club-scene hustle and samba, dancing is an amazing way to have fun, stay in shape, and move your body to the rhythm and beats of all styles of music.

There are four main styles of dancing, each with a classification of dances. They are International Standard, Latin, American Smooth, and Rhythm.

International Standard

Danced around the world, this closed-frame style of dancing consists of Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, and the Quickstep. Designed for the couples to stay in a closed frame meaning "never to separate from each other," the elegance and grace of this dance is captured by the lead and follow becoming one entity dancing across the ballroom floor.

International Latin

Upbeat, precise, and primarily danced in place, the five Latin dances are fast, rhythmic, and full of energy. Included in this style are the Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Cha-Cha, and Jive. Follows are spun and dipped while emphasizing rhythms and breaks in the music through fast and staccato footwork, leg kicks, and hip and torso isolation. This style of dance is sure to ignite passion on the dance floor.

American Smooth

The grace and elegance of international standard is incorporated into an open frame where the lead and follow separate from each other, perform underarm turns, and even dance in shadow position. The dances of American Smooth include Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and the Viennese Waltz. Usually choreographed, this showpiece style of dancing relates closely to cabaret and theater arts.

American Rhythm

The fun and social dances Rumba, Cha-Cha, Mambo, East Coast Swing, and Bolero resemble the Latin Dances, but are danced usually at a slower tempo to incorporate Cuban motion in the hips. With a variety of dances in the American Rhythm, you'll be sure to dance to just about every song on the radio!