Dances We Teach at Arthur Murray Jacksonville

Rhythm and Latin Dances Rumba Cha Cha Swing/East Coast Swing Merengue Jive Hustle Lindy West Coast Swing Samba Mambo Salsa Jitterbug Bolero Paso Doble Smooth and Standard Dances Fox Trot Waltz Tango Viennese Waltz Quickstep

Country Western Dances Progressive Two-Step Country Western Waltz Country Swing West Coast Swing Texas Two-Step Country Shuffle Country Triple Specialty Dances Polka Argentine Tango Nightclub 2-Step Slow Dance and more... If you are interested in learning a specific dance and are not sure whether we teach it or not, please contact us.

Rhythm and Latin Dances

Rumba - Learning the Rumba is a prerequisite for good rhythm or latin dancing. Body motion referred to as "cuban motion" is essential in most of these dances. The Rumba is used by good dancers everywhere and provides interesting variety suited to a limited space. Neat, attractive, precise footwork gives you confidence in your dancing. The Rumba will sharpen your sense of rhythm, timing, and muscular control. (back to list of dances)

Cha Cha - The Cha-Cha adds fun to your dancing through its syncopated steps and many open movements. When you can dance many interesting combinations with ease, you and your partner will be able to feel the pulsating latin rhythms which make this dance so fascinating. The energetic rhythm of the Cha-Cha encourages you to cut loose and let your personality show. (back to list of dances)

Swing/East Coast Swing - Swing is actually not one dance but rather a family of dances that are often quite regional in nature. Often the term "Swing", however, is used to refer to what is more formally known as the East Coast Swing. This is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and usually danced with a lot of circular rotation. The various speeds are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading & following, adding comfort and ease to other rhythm dances. After mastering the patterns, both men and women will find the East Coast Swing a fun and exciting dance to learn and practice. This dance brings forth a buoyant carefree movement and is one of the dances that becomes contagious. (back to list of dances)

Merengue - Merengue develops "cuban motion" and the ability to lead and follow material spontaneously. Merengue is the simplest dance to learn. Its uncomplicated timing makes it easy to feel the music and adapt to any partner. It is the only Rhythm dance that combines one-step timing with Cuban Motion and therefore is a help to all Rhythm and Latin dances. The marching type beat sharpens timing & coordination and the proper use of the accent develops a clearer interpretation of musical rhythm. (back to list of dances)

Jive - In western Canada the term "jive" is often used to denote a fast type of socially danced swing usually using a single step and "slow, slow, quick, quick" rhythm. This version of the dance is very related to the patterning in Hustle. Sometimes a double or "tap step" rhythm or triple foot rhythm is used but the music is always fast and up-tempo. Jive is also the name of a competitive dance in the International Latin division also characterized by up-tempo music. It is primarily danced with triple steps done with a highly buoyant movement, sharp leg actions and a very upright posture. (back to list of dances)

Hustle - Hustle originated in the 1970s Disco Era and although the white suits and gold chains have faded away, the dance has stayed, giving us the fusion of Swing and disco. In its simplest form it is a dance in which even a moderately skilled dancer can lead virtually anyone right away. Hustle is often danced with syncopated timing which is faster and highly exciting but requiring a higher degree of skill. Largely because of its tremendous adaptability to social dance music Hustle is still one of the most popular nightclub dances across North America today. (back to list of dances)

Lindy - or "Lindy Hop" - The original swing dance that arose in the early 1930s after the Charleston died out. Some recent musical groups have revived interest in the musical styles from the original Lindy Hop Era and have fired the imagination and enthusiasm of a whole new generation of Lindy Hop dancers. However, the acrobatic style used for exhibitions is not the same as the quietly rhythmic Lindy enjoyed by most dancers on the ballroom floor. (back to list of dances)

West Coast Swing - WCS is a uniquely styled Swing dance popular all along the west coast of North America and slowly gaining a wider following throughout the rest of the continent and beyond. It is an extremely adaptable social dance for many styles of music. Although it can be danced at fast tempos it is usually danced to a slow or medium tempo and characterized by slot movements, anchoring, syncopations, rippling body actions and a push and pull connection of the dancers. (back to list of dances)

Samba - Samba is the national dance of Brazil where it is danced in many forms depending on the region. It is associated with the Brazilian "Carnaval" and the music embodies its lighthearted rhythm and sensuality. The social samba is an extension of this and provides us with a fun and rhythmical dance that is quite unique among the latin dances. It can be quite a practical dance for many venues of social dancing.(back to list of dances)

Mambo - Mambo arose from a fusion of Cuban and jazz music characterized by a stirring Afro-Cuban beat. Mambo is an exciting earthy dance similar in structure to Salsa but with a more highly staccatto styling and more "grounding" into the floor. Good Mambo dancers are always popular and in demand as partners. The wild exciting music, and rhythmical body movements make the earthy Mambo irresistible. (back to list of dances)

Salsa - Salsa is the Spanish word for "sauce" denoting a "spicy" and "hot" flavor to this popular dance style to a complex mix of many different rhythms. The fusion of an Afro-Cuban beat with enhanced jazz textures results in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere. Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the Mambo and Cha-Cha but the feeling here is much looser and allows you to truly develop your own style. (back to list of dances)

Jitterbug - Jitterbug is also known as single-time swing or sometimes colloquially as "jive" or "boogie" depending on what area you live. It is usually done to faster Swing music and is a highly energetic and expressive dance. It could also be referred to as a toned down Lindy Hop. It is also a spot dance and highly useful on crowed dance floors. (back to list of dances)

Bolero - Bolero uses a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. This dance is often said to have the rise and fall of Waltz, the contra-body motion of Tango, and the rhythm of Rumba. It is a favorite of dancers, as it incorporates many techniques similar to other dances to create a slow, sensual, romantic dance. (back to list of dances)

Paso Doble - The dance depicting the bullfight where the male dancer is the matador and the female dancer represents the cape. The name comes from Spanish meaning "two step" and was originally a Spanish folk dance. Today it is a highly dramatic and flamboyant show dance danced in professional competition in the International Latin division and is rarely if ever danced as a social dance. (back to list of dances)

Smooth and Standard Dances

The International Standard style includes five dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. This style is danced widely in competitions throughout the world. The most obvious trait of the International Standard style is the dancers constant closed position, where the two dance partners never lose contact from the closed dance hold.

Four of the Standard dances have American Smooth counterparts: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. In the American Smooth style, partners often separate from closed dance position utilizing underarm turns and changes in position. American Smooth is quite popular at social dances due to its tremendous adaptability, and is danced at major competition events across North America. This is an expressive style that is fun to dance and to watch. The following are dances that fall under the category of standard and/or smooth: (back to list of dances)

Fox Trot - Fox Trot can begin as a basic dance from which you can acquire a strong foundation of movement. Learning to combine steps easily and smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. Being able to dance to slow, medium, and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner. The Fox Trot provides a good foundation for all dances and is sometimes called the "get-acquainted" or "first impression" dance. As this dance develops it ultimately becomes an extremely skilled dance that can be challenging at the highest levels of Smooth and Standard. (back to list of dances)

Waltz - Waltz develops good balance and control. The basic Waltz steps are the foundation patterns used in most ballroom dances. Correct posture, rise and fall, and flowing movements should be stressed to achieve good styling. The elegant sweeping movement of the Waltz gives dancers a chance to practice balance and to move lightly with ease. (back to list of dances)

Tango (for Argentine Style, please refer to "Specialty Dances") - The Tango is one of the most beautiful of all the dances. It is characterized by earthy and dramatic movements. In order to achieve the distinctive style of Tango, it is important to develop controlled staccato footwork along with fluid graceful movements. The unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing which develops as the dancer becomes more proficient. Tango practice is essential towards becoming a good dancer. (back to list of dances)

Viennese Waltz - This is the dance most people think of when conjuring up images of the classic formal "ballroom dancing". It is the only main ballroom dance that predates the previous century and was refined by such wonderful composers as Johann Strauss whose music is largely associated with it. The steps became smaller as it developed, the turns smoother and more compact. Adding the tuxedo for the man and the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts for the lady gives us todays Viennese Waltz. (back to list of dances)

Country Western Dances

Progressive Two-Step - The Two-Step originated in the 1800s by people who arrived here from Europe. It was an offspring of the minuet and they danced it as QQSS. In the old Western days when women were not allowed to dance with men, men danced together and that is the reason for the hand on the shoulder holding a can of beer and the other hand to the side. The only women who eventually danced with these men were Indian Squaws and that is where all the turns came about, because Indian women loved to spin. Two-step is a Western dance whose popularity has spread all over the United States. (back to list of dances)

Country Western Waltz - This is the Country Western counterpart to the Ballroom Waltz. This version is generally faster and progresses rapidly down the floor. Generally seen as the romantic country dance, the movement is graceful and playful through its use of turns and spins. (back to list of dances)

Country Swing - Country Swing is also referred to as 4 count Swing or Pony swing and is characterized by its use of continuous rock steps. This is an easy dance to learn and is often fun for those looking to get out on the dance floor immediately. (back to list of dances)

West Coast Swing - [see above under Rhythm and Latin dances]

Texas Two-Step - Texas Two-Step is a modified version of the popular Progressive Two-step done to slower tempos of music. The primary difference between the two styles is an exaggerated brushing action done side to side during the two slow counts of the basic. (back to list of dances)

Country Shuffle - Country Shuffle is the Western version of Polka. The primary difference is that the style of Shuffle is less hoppy than the Polka. The basic step consists of a triple to the left followed by a triple to the right. (back to list of dances)

Country Triple - This dance resembles East Coast Swing, however, the rock step is replaced with walking steps and the dance becomes a progressive dance down the floor. (back to list of dances)

Specialty Dances

Polka - This dance was introduced to society in 1844. Every now and then it is revived because of its boisterous charm. It is supposed to have been originally created by a Bohemian girl. The basic step consists of a preparatory hop followed by a chasse done first to the left and then to the right. The Polka is still danced quite often throughout North America particularly in more rural areas, sometimes at functions such as wedding dances, etc as one of the main social dances. (back to list of dances)

Nightclub 2-Step - This dance is an easy playful dance that can be done to many pop songs. It is done to 4/4 time music and has similar patterns to those found in Salsa, although the style of this dance is much slower and smoother. This is a popular dance among wedding couples as it is usually a good tempo for the slower romantic ballads. (back to list of dances)

Slow Dance - This dance is related to Fox Trot but is done with even timing and on smaller crowded nightclub floors. This is a great dance for couples who want to get out on the dance floor immediately. It is useful in jazzy nightclubs or lounges. (back to list of dances)

Lambada - The hot dance sensation from Brazil sometimes known as the "Forbidden Dance". It was a fad dance in the late 1980s in Europe and then North America but continues to be danced in Brazil as it has for decades. Quite possibly the ultimate "dirty dance". (back to list of dances)