There are so many styles of ballroom and Latin dancing to choose from. While you’ll probably want to try them all eventually, it’s good to choose one style to focus on as you begin your dance journey.

American Style Smooth & Rhythm
We generally recommend that beginners start by learning American Social dancing first. It is the style most often danced at social gatherings, weddings and on cruises. It’s the style you probably remember your parents or grandparents dancing. It’s the easiest style to learn and the one most frequently used. American style smooth incorporates elements of traditional ballroom and theatrical dance - twirls, spins and the occasional dip! The rhythm dances include all the Latin dance tempos plus all the popular Swing, Lindy, Jitterbug variations. Though American style is great social dancing, it can be taken to a high level and danced competitively as well.
American Smooth includes Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz & Peabody
American Rhythm includes Cha Cha, Rumba, Triple Swing, Samba, Mambo, Bolero & Merengue

International Style Standard & Latin
If you like a highly technical, precise approach to dancing then the International Standard and Latin dances are for you. Developed in England and adopted throughout Europe and Russia, this style was originally used for social dancing but has become the defining standard of competitive dancing - hence the names “Standard” and “Latin”. “Standard”, sometimes called “Ballroom”, is different from American Smooth in that the couples never separate from closed dance position. While “Latin”, like the American rhythm dances, is based on a stylized interpretation of South American movement and music, the look and techniques used are quite different. These dances tend to be more highly choreographed and less spontaneous, especially when danced competitively.
International Standard includes Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz & Quickstep
International Latin includes Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, Samba & Paso Doble

Other Popular Social / Club Dances
Argentine Tango
The Argentine Tango is a beautiful, improvisational social dance that has developed over the last century in the City of Buenos Aires. It is a true dance of leading and following. Many find Argentine Tango quite challenging, commanding an advanced knowledge of dance skills for partner dancing. Argentine Tango, with it’s dramatic character and use of leg and foot actions, uses slower music and progresses counter clockwise in the line of dance.

Night Club Two-Step
Night Club Two- Step, not to be confused with country two-step, is one of the most practical and versatile social dances ever conceived. It is designed to be used with contemporary soft rock (“Love Song”) music. This type of music is common just about everywhere, nightclubs, radio, etc. The rhythm of the dance is very simple and rarely changes from the 1 & 2 count. This simple romantic dance fills a gap where no other ballroom dance fits. It gives the dancer, either beginning or advanced, the opportunity to express and create without a rigid technique being required. It’s attractive, romantic, and a real asset to learn since it will be used often.

Salsa
The word Salsa means sauce, denoting a “hot” flavor, and is best distinguished from other Latin music styles by defining it as the New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians in New York. The dance structure is largely associated with mambo type patterns and has a particular feeling that is associated mainly with the Clave and the Montuno.

Bachata
Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic in the first half of the 20th century. It is known for being slow, melodic and romantic, with lots of close holds and dips. It is almost as popular these days as Salsa and is played often in Salsa clubs.

Hustle
The Hustle (Disco) is a member of the Swing family, and is like the West Coast Swing in pattern. It has a distinct flavor, utilizing Disco style music & revived partner style among nightclub dancers in the 70’s. Hustle is danced to the contemporary pop dance music of the last 20 years. It is a fast, smooth dance, with the lady spinning almost constantly, while her partner draws her close and sends her away.

Country Western
Country Western encompasses many dance forms or styles, which are typically danced to country-western music, and which are stylistically associated with American country and/or western traditions. Country 2-Step is one of the most popular country western dances, though there are also country versions of Waltz, Swing and Cha Cha.

West Coast Swing
This dance consists of six and eight count patterns, which are done in a slot. The woman no longer rocks back as in East Coast swing, but instead she always walks forward on count one. This dance is usually done to medium tempo swing music, frequently slower than East Coast swing. However, those who achieve a high skill level in this dance can and do dance it to faster tempo music. This dance has no bounce and a very smooth feel. Rarely will you see high kicks or moves which require the dancer to leave the floor.