Ballroom dances consist of two major types: Standard (smooth) and Latin (rhythm) dances. Examples of these two dances styles follow.

Bolero
A slow Latin dance which originated as a form of Rhumba, and still shares many of the same figures. Bolero differs from Rhumba in its style of movement.

Cha Cha Cha
An exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950's, the Cha Cha is probably the most popular social Latin dance in America. The infectious, syncopated rhythm of the cha-cha-cha makes the dance a hit with young and old alike.

Disco Hustle
Hustle is a fast, smooth, slotted dance noted for its elaborate spins and turns, especially for the lady. In Hustle, the lady spins almost constantly, while her partner catches her and redirects her movement. It is a rhythmically challenging dance, with an unusual timing pattern. Hustle is a club style dance that can be adapted to crowded nightclub dance floors.

Foxtrot
The foxtrot is the nation’s most popular dance, and a standard ballroom dance the world over. It is truly American in origin, invented in 1913 by Harry Fox, a star in the Ziegfield Follies. The foxtrot is characterized by smooth, gliding steps that progress around the ballroom floor. Foxtrot music can be smooth or swingy, Big Band style or contemporary. Foxtrot is the classic dance for wedding receptions and social events.

Mambo
The Mambo was born in Cuba, and is characterized by exciting rhythms, playful interactions and Latin-style hip motion. A unique feature of the Mambo is that the dancer holds the first beat in every measure. Most of the movements emphasize the second beat in the measure, suggestive of the Clave rhythm, which is fundamental to Mambo music.

Merengue
Merengue is a simple, fun dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. The Merengue is characterized by a marching style using a strong eight-count rhythm with a step on every beat, and lively leg, knee and hip actions characteristic of Latin dances. The simple march tempo is easy to hear and feel, and the music is charming and happy.

Paso Doble
Paso Doble is a dramatic French-Spanish, Flamenco-style march danced in 2/4 time. The dance of the bullfight, the Paso Doble is an exhibition-style dance where the man represents the matador and the lady his cape.

Quickstep
The name quickstep was adopted for the quick foxtrot, as the foxtrot music became slower and slower. Quickstep music is up-tempo and lively, and the dance is characterized by a variety of hops, skips, lock steps and chassés, requiring significant skill on the part of the dancer. The quickstep was also influenced by the Charleston, and contains some of the Charleston's bounce and fancy foot patterns.

Rhumba
The rhumba is a slow and romantic Latin dance inspired by African rhythms and Latin melodies, and characterized by sensual hip and leg movements. Danced in one place, the rhumba shows off the couple's skill through flirtatious interplay between man and lady.

Salsa
The Salsa is a popular Latin nightclub dance that evolved as a modified form of Mambo. Salsa works on the basis of Mambo - a pattern of six steps danced over eight counts of music--and came about when dancers started mixing up Mambo with Hustle steps. Young people worldwide jam Latin clubs pulsating to today's hot Salsa rhythms. Salsa dancing is characterized by fancy footwork, intricate arm styling, and exciting turns and spins.

Samba
Samba is a Latin dance with origins in Brazil, popularized in the movies of Carmen Miranda. Samba has very distinctive and varied rhythms occurring simultaneously within the song, which add richness as well listening excitement. The characteristic Samba movement is a bouncing action, achieved by the continuous flexing and straightening of the knees.

Slow Dance
Slow dance songs are ballads based on a four beat rhythm danced at 15-23 measures per minute. Because the mood of these songs is usually dreamy and romantic, slow dances are very popular nightclub and wedding dance selections. Examples of popular slow dances are Unforgettable and At Last.

Swing
The swing is full of pep and turning actions danced in a carefree, relaxed style. The dance was born when, in the 1930's, bandleaders discovered that by shifting the accent of the foxtrot rhythms from counts 1 and 3 to counts 2 and 4, they created a Swinging rhythm. Before long the dance swept across the US and became known as the Swing. Swing music is generally up-tempo and bouncy. In contrast to the waltz and foxtrot, swing is danced in a small area and does not progress around the dance floor. The international version of the swing is the Jive, a fast dance executed in syncopated rhythm.

Tango
Born in the West Indies, stylized by the gauchos of Argentina, simmered in the brothels of Buenos Aires and transported to the elegant salons of Paris, the Tango is a highly stylized dance characterized by dramatic stalking actions, staccato head movements, and its contrast of stillness and speed.

Tango, Argentine
Argentine Tango is a more intensely intimate form of Tango where the couple dances cheek to cheek, using intricate, intertwining leg actions and fast foot flicks, giving the Argentine Tango a very sensual look and feel. Argentine Tango has become very popular in Latin nightclubs.

Viennese Waltz
Developed in Southern Germany in the 17th century, the Viennese Waltz blossomed to the music of Johann Strauss. Viennese Waltz is a fast paced version of the slow Waltz, characterized by rotational, progressive and dynamic movement accompanied by leg and body swing.

Waltz
Waltz might be the most popular dance of all time, since it is considered the forerunner of popular social dancing. The Waltz is a very common dance all around the world. Waltz music is romantic and lilting, distinguished by its one-two-three tempo (three beats of music per measure). Waltz is characterized by a rise and fall action, and is very commonly danced at weddings and other social events.

West Coast Swing
Characterized by a laid-back and slotted style of movement, West Coast Swing is a smoother version of Swing. The dance utilizes steps and actions of the Swing adapted to fit rhythm-and-blues type music.