Ballroom dancing is a family of partner dances. In classes and at competitions they are grouped into styles. We teach International style, the style danced at world championships, along with popular social dances like East Coast Swing.
International Standard (Ballroom)
The five Standard dances are danced in closed hold, with the couple travelling counter-clockwise around the floor.
Waltz
3/4 time, 28 to 30 bars a minuteRise and fall, sway, and long swinging turns. Often the first Standard dance people learn. See Waltz.
Tango
2/4 time, 31 to 33 bars a minuteStaccato and dramatic, with no rise and fall and sharp head movements. See Tango.
Viennese Waltz
3/4 time, 58 to 60 bars a minuteThe fast, rotating waltz of the Vienna ballrooms. See Viennese Waltz.
Foxtrot
4/4 time, 28 to 30 bars a minuteSmooth and continuous, built on slow, quick, quick. See Foxtrot.
Quickstep
4/4 time, 50 to 52 bars a minuteFast and light, with chasses, runs, hops and lock steps. See Quickstep.
International Latin
The five Latin dances are mostly danced in place, with open and closed positions and lots of rhythm and hip action.
Samba
2/4 time, 50 to 52 bars a minuteBrazilian carnival energy with a characteristic bounce. See Samba.
Rumba
4/4 time, 25 to 27 bars a minuteThe slow, romantic Latin dance, all about connection and hip action. See Rumba.
Paso Doble
2/4 time, 60 to 62 bars a minuteBased on the drama of the Spanish bullfight; the leader is the matador. See Paso Doble.
Jive
4/4 time, 42 to 44 bars a minuteFast, kicky and joyful, from the swing era. We teach it as East Coast Swing.
American style and social dances
In the United States you will also see American Smooth (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz, but couples may separate) and American Rhythm (Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Mambo). East Coast Swing is a friendly six-count swing dance that grew out of the Lindy Hop and works to almost any upbeat song, which is why it is a favourite at social dances.
Tempos above are the World DanceSport Federation's competition speeds, in bars of music per minute. Social dancing is often a little slower.
Which dance should I start with?
Most beginners start with a smooth dance (Waltz or Foxtrot) and a Latin or swing dance (Cha Cha or East Coast Swing). Our Sunday classes rotate dances every month, so you can join any month and start fresh.
Dance with us on Sundays
Friendly group classes in north Vancouver, an easy drive from Salmon Creek and Ridgefield.
- Start here: Beginning / Beyond Beginning, Sundays 4–5 PM
- Keep growing: Intermediate / Advanced, Sundays 5–6 PM
$15 per person, per class. Ages 12+. Bring a partner or come on your own.
Dance Fusion/Northwest Classical Ballet, 14511 NE 10th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98685