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The foxtrot began in the United States about 1912 originating on the vaudeville stage by Harry Fox two years before the sinking of the Titanic. It is a distinctly "American" dance consisting of alternating short and long steps with occasional slides and glides. When couples first dance the foxtrot, they will most likely start with walking and rocking back and forth with matching footwork. More advanced dancers may dance intricate patterns and swivels.

The quickstep is lively and energetic, characterized by fast movements, including a variety of hops, kicks, skips, lock steps, and chasses. An experienced dancer may employ frequent changes in rhythm and pattern. Note this dance is not for beginners; the basic elements of foxtrot or waltz should be mastered first.

The tango is considered one of the most passionate of the ballroom dances and involves both couples to be held in close contact at all times. It can be stately or involve quick, sharp movements to contrast the slower music. Originally danced by Argentine Gauchos around the campfire, it traveled first to Paris where it was initially considered "risque" in contrast to the more stately waltz which was danced socially at the time.

Recently, tango found its way to the America via the movies such as "True Lies" and "Scent of a Woman". American tango is danced to strict eight counts and is danced in competitions, whereas Argentine tango is free form with many changes in tempo and more of a social dance. Beginners can learn the steps of either tango immediately.

The waltzes, both slow and Viennese, are the only dances in 3/4 time. Developed from a German peasant dance, the weller, and an Austrian folk dance, the Laendler, it is best known for its elegance and lightness as couples turn around the dance floor. It was the most popular dance of the 1800s and is still a favorite today. Beginning dancers can enjoy simple box steps and underarm turns while advanced technique includes rise and fall motion and precise body placement. The slower form is an excellent dance for beginners to learn first and is a favorite at weddings.

A variation of the rumba called the bolero is much slower and more dramatic. The steps are reminiscent of the waltz, but danced slowly and sensuously in a latin rhythm. Danced in 4/4 time, the basic step is slow-quick-quick, slow-quick-quick.

Cha Cha is an exciting, syncopated Latin dance that originated in the 1950's at the Palladium, New York City by area dance instructors who danced the triple Mambo. The beat is very slow and the dance gets its name and character from its distinct triple repetitive foot rhythm. Considered a flirty dance, it is a favorite among many dancers to this day.

This dance was developed in Cuba from the influx of American influence into the rumba. American GI's danced swing moves to rumba music that was sped up, and the Cubans said they "danced like Mambos." A Mambo is a voodoo priestess.

The mambo is the predecessor of cha cha, and many of the same steps in the latter dance can be done to the mambo rhythm. Considered a little more difficult than cha cha, mambo's timing sometimes confuses the beginner. However, once learned, the mambo is a favorite of the dance enthusiast. This dance is many times confused with the salsa, which is indistinguishable with regard to steps.

Paso Doble is an infrequently seen dance that originated from Spain. The movements of the man are symbolic of a matador (a bullfighter), and the woman is his cape. This dance involves many stylized dramatic movements and posturing and is one of the few dances where the male and female partners do different moves. This dance is for advanced levels and is done mostly for competitions.

The rumba originated from Afro-Cuban folk rhythms and became popular in the 1930's. It was imported from Cuba by Arthur Murray, who hired Cuban dancers to train his instructors. A variation called the bolero is much slower and more dramatic. The steps are reminiscent of the waltz, but danced slowly and sensuously in a latin rhythm. Danced in 4/4 time, the basic step is slow-quick-quick, slow-quick-quick. This is a good dance for beginning dancers and serves as an excellent breather between salsa and merengue sets in social dancing.
Rumba is considered the sexiest of the Latin dances. Like the tango, the couples dance very closely and use a lot of body language to express emotion between them. Beginning dancers can experience the closeness of partner dancing while advanced rumba dancers can master the art of body language.

The Samba is a Brazilian dance with Mardi Gras flavor. The form taught in the workshops differ to some extent to the Samba danced currently in Brazil, and it is closer to the style that is danced in competitions. New Latin styling has regenerated this dance among the public and competitive dancers. This dance incorporates the jumping actions of African dance tempered with the more sensual movements of ballroom dance to create the form it exists today.

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