Ballroom Dance Lessons and Classes in Portland Oregon
Home
Styles of Dance
Places to Dance
Contact
Sunnie teaches a wide variety of dances.
There are many diverse partner dance styles.
The following are samples of today's popular styles:
WALTZ
The most traditional of ballroom dances
Done to 3/4 time music (eg: Come Away With Me by Norah Jones)
SWING
An upbeat, easy to learn dance
Done to fast tempo, big band music (eg: Sing Sing Sing)
NIGHTCLUB
A contemporary partner dance done to medium tempo romantic songs
This is the most common style taught for a Wedding First Dance
TANGO
A highly stylized traditional dance
Emphasis on leg movements and staccato body action
MERENGUE
An easy style to learn, done to 2/4 time Latin music
Useful with techno and other fast temp music (eg: Dont Stop the Party by Pitbull)
QUICKSTEP
A traditional partner dance, and popular favorite on Dancing With the Stars
A flashy and fun dance which travels quickly around the floor
CHA CHA
A Latin style dance popular in both social dance clubs, or competition
Useful for medium tempo music with a strong beat (eg: Lets Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez)
FOXTROT
A traditional partner dance done to medium tempo 4/4 time music
Characterized by smooth, gliding movements
SALSA
The most popular Latin club social dance
Similar to Mambo, with a six step basic danced over 8 counts of music
EAST COAST SWING
A contemporary partner dance done to medium tempo 4/4 time songs
This dance has a bouncy character, is easy to learn, and is versatile
RUMBA
A Latin dance done to slow 4/4 tempo (often romantic) songs
This is the second most common style taught for a Wedding First Dance
