About the Cha Cha
The Cha Cha comes from Cuba in the early 1950s. It is usually credited to the violinist and bandleader Enrique Jorrín, whose music had a quick triple step that dancers answered with their feet. The name is said to echo the sound of those shuffling steps.
In International Latin the Cha Cha is crisp and playful: straight legs, Cuban motion through the hips, and the famous cha-cha-cha triple step on 4 and 1. It is one of the most fun dances to learn, and it works to a lot of popular music.
Watch the figures
Short demonstrations of Cha Cha figures by Jim and Michele.
Basic
Alemana
Cuban Breaks, right and left
Double Cuban Breaks
The Cha Cha syllabus
These are the figures of the International-style Cha Cha in the ISTD syllabus, grouped by level. Each level adds new figures to the ones before it, and most dancers start with the first.
Bronze
- Basic Movements (Closed, Open and In Place)
- New York (to Left or Right Side Position)
- Spot Turns to Left or Right (including Switch Turns and Underarm Turns)
- Shoulder to Shoulder (Left Side and Right Side)
- Hand to Hand (to Right and Left Side Position)
- Three Cha Cha Chas (Forward and Back)
- Side Steps (to Left and Right)
- There and Back
- Time Steps
- Fan
- Alemana
- Hockey Stick
- Natural Top
- Natural Opening Out Movement
- Closed Hip Twist
Silver
- Open Hip Twist
- Reverse Top
- Opening Out from Reverse Top
- Aida
- Spiral Turns (Spiral, Curl and Rope Spinning)
- Cross Basic
- Cuban Breaks (including Split Cuban Breaks)
- Chase
Gold
- Advanced Hip Twist
- Hip Twist Spiral
- Turkish Towel
- Sweetheart
- Follow My Leader
- Foot Changes
Figures follow the ISTD Syllabus Outlines for Modern Ballroom and Latin American (September 2024), checked October 2026. Bronze covers the Student Teacher and Associate figures, Silver the Licentiate figures, and Gold the Fellowship figures.
Learning Cha Cha with us
Cha Cha is in our monthly rotation. Beginners learn the basic, the Alemana turn and the Cuban Breaks; more experienced dancers polish timing, Cuban motion and connection. See all the dance styles.
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