Originally, the Rumba was a lively, peppy dance similar to the Mambo in feel. But over the years, it has transformed into more of a slow and romantic Latin dance.

The Rumba was originally inspired by African rhythms and Latin melodies, and the Americanized version of the Cuban Rumba is the basis for the Mambo and Cha-Cha. The Rumba is a pre-requisite for good Latin dancing, it and helps to sharpen your sense of rhythm, timing and muscle control.

The Waltz may very well be the most popular dance of all time, as it has long been considered the forerunner of popular social dancing.

Developed in Southern Germany in the 17th Century, the Waltz’s popularity as a social dance blossomed with the music of Johann Strauss, a world-famous composer of the time.

Before the advent of the Waltz, “proper” socialites did not embrace one another while dancing — only the “lower classes” did such a thing! However, people gradually found that holding a partner around the waist did not immediately lead to a life of sin, and the Waltz became a staple dance for kings and queens, as well as common folk.

The Waltz is still a very popular dance all around the world, and has a distinctive one-two-three tempo (three beats to a measure of music) and is very commonly played at weddings and other social events.

The Foxtrot has been America’s most popular dance since 1913. Introduced by a Vaudevillian named Harry Fox, it quickly became the standard of social dancing.

The Foxtrot is a great dance for beginners, as it teaches the novice variety, maneuverability, and how to combine steps easily. The music for Foxtrot is any slow to moderately slow big band or pop song, or “slow dance.” The mantra for Foxtrot is the classic dance teacher’s phrase: Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick.

Much of our popular music is Foxtrot music, and it’s a nice, slow, easy dance during which a couple can even have a pleasant conversation. This is the classic dance for wedding receptions and social events, and wedding couples usually choose either a Foxtrot or a Waltz to be their first dance together, predicting a lifetime of slow, easy, romantic cuddling (we hope)!

The Viennese Waltz has step patterns adapted to a faster tempo of music. This Waltz is especially helpful for dancers who need to develop balance and control. With practice, correct posture, and rise and fall motion, the flowing movement of the Viennese Waltz can be developed and enjoyed.

Samba is a Latin dance with roots in Brazil, where many different types of Samba are still popular, including more elegant salon dancing and the wild, uninhibited popular dancing associated with Carnival.

Samba has very distinctive and varied rhythms occurring simultaneously within every song, which helps to build richness in the music and excitement in the listening. It is often called the “South American Waltz,” as it features a “rise and fall” type of motion which is associated with waltz.

Originally, the Rumba was a lively, peppy dance similar to the Mambo in feel. But over the years, it has transformed into more of a slow and romantic Latin dance.

The Rumba was originally inspired by African rhythms and Latin melodies, and the Americanized version of the Cuban Rumba is the basis for the Mambo and Cha-Cha. The Rumba is a pre-requisite for good Latin dancing, it and helps to sharpen your sense of rhythm, timing and muscle control.

Western couple dancing is a form of social dance. Many different dances are done to Country-Western music. These dances include: Two Step, Country Western Waltz, Polka, Cha Cha, Triple Two-Step, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Nightclub. The Two Step and various Western promenade or pattern couples dances are unique to Country Western dancing.

Though its point of origin is uncertain, both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim the Merengue, and it contains elements of both cultures. As one of the easiest Latin dances to learn, the Merengue’s simple-to-follow and simple-to-make-up steps make it fun and exciting for dancers of all skill level.

The simple march tempo is easy to hear and feel, and lends itself to a spontaneous, improvisational style of dance. The music is charming and happy, and often contains clever jokes or puns in Spanish. Learning the Merengue is a good way to start familiarizing yourself with Cuban Motion, which is the way that your body moves in all the Latin dances.

Remember the ’70s? John Travolta in the white polyester suit in Saturday Night Fever? Well, that was the Hustle — but just like a lot of other things have changed in the last 20 years, the Hustle too has changed.

Originating in New York’s Latin community, the hustle emerged from a culture of young Latinos who were accustomed to dancing, yet wanted to dance to more contemporary music than the Mambo of their parents. Slowly the Latin Hustle was developed and emerged as a club style before quickly spreading all over America and Europe.

As the Hustle developed, fell out of favor and fell back into favor, many different styles have emerged, and the hustle is still danced to today to contemporary pop dance music.

It’s a fast, smooth dance, with the lady spinning almost constantly, while her partner draws her close and sends her away. It is a challenging dance, with a rhythmic pattern which plays with the timing of the music, rather than following it exactly. Many of the original Hustle dancers of the New York Hustle scene continue to come to our Monday and Friday night Hustle parties, where some of the best dancing in New York is on display, especially late in the evening.

A romantic rage that took the U.S. by storm in the 1920s, the Tango was first introduced to Americans by silent screen idol Rudolph Valentino in Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

The dance itself was born in the West Indies and stylized by the gauchos of Argentina before simmering in the brothels of Buenos Aires and finally brought to a boil in the elegant salons of Paris.

Although it originated in Latin countries, Tango is not considered a “Latin” dance, as it does not feature Cuban motion. It is considered a “smooth,” or “ballroom dance,” as dancers hold themselves erect and swing their legs from the hip, as with Foxtrot or the Waltz.

The Tango is considered a “dancer’s dance.” Its unique rhythms offer fabulous training for timing and footwork, which is a useful foundation to build for any dance. Social tango, a takeoff of the Argentine Tango, is as intensely intimate as the original, as the dancers maintain a regular social dance hold. In Argentine Tango, the dancers are often cheek to cheek, and this effect, coupled with intricate leg intertwining, gives Argentine tango a much more sensual feel than American (Social) Tango. Both styles of dance, however, are official in the realm of competition.

Interested in learning Tango? All you need is the ability to walk, listen to the music and listen to your partner — and some patience!