These classes are suitable for both dancers new to Ballroom dancing and those who have had classes in this discipline before. We study towards IDTA examinations and offer the opportunity to enter medallist competitions. The following dances are studied: Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango and Viennese Waltz.

 

Waltz

The Waltz is in 3/4 time and is considered the epitome of elegant, old-fashioned Ballroom dancing. The name, Waltz, is taken from the Italian ‘volver’ - to turn, or revolve.

 

Foxtrot

The Foxtrot, in 4/4 time, is the most elegant and graceful of the Ballroom dances, which evokes images of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and the Ballroom dance floors of the 1930’s. It takes its name from its inventor, the vaudeville actor Harry Fox.

 

Quickstep

The Quickstep evolved in England in the 1920s from a combination of other popular dances. It was originally called the ‘Quick Time Foxtrot and Charleston.’ It has a 2/4 or 4/4 time signature, is very dynamic and has lots of movement on the dance floor - syncopated steps, with patterns including hops, runs, quick steps with a lot of momentum, and rotation. It’s a fast and vibrant dance and, surprisingly, one of the simpler Ballroom dances.

 

Tango

Born in Argentina in the 1890’s, the Tango originated as a dance enacting the relationship between a man and woman. The Tango came to Europe in the 20th Century, where it was cleaned up and became a pre-war craze – although it never lost its shady reputation. The Tango is danced flat and staccato with sharp foot and head movements performed at lightning speed.

 

Viennese Waltz

The Viennese Waltz is a rotary dance, in 6/8 time, where the dancers are constantly turning either toward their right (natural) or toward their left (reverse), interspersed with non-rotating change steps to switch between the direction of rotation. Other moves such as the fleckerls, American-style figures and side sway or underarm turns are modern additions. Expect to get very dizzy.