Dance Styles | celebraravida

Dance Styles Offered.*

Below is an outline of the dance styles we are able to offer. We have also provided video links so you can see students from around the world doing the dance styles. Please note that the videos are only visual examples of students dancing certain styles and provides a glance at what students can learn.

Cuban Salsa

Cubin is danced in three points which makes up the circular motion as couple face each other in intricate patterns of arms and body movement. This is distinctive from the North American Salsa styles which is danced in a slot (two points) and linear positions as taught by the North American and European dance studios. The Cuban Casino style of salsa dancing involves significant movement above the waist, with up-and-down shoulder movements and shifting of the ribcage.

LA Salsa

In many styles of salsa dancing, as a dancer shifts their weight by stepping, the upper body remains level and nearly unaffected by the weight changes. Weight shifts cause the hips to move. Arm and shoulder movements are also incorporated. LA Salsa is typically done in a linear position with 2 points.

The arms are used by the "lead" dancer to communicate or signal the "follower," either in "open" or "closed" position. The open position requires the two dancers to hold one or both hands, especially for moves that involve turns, putting arms behind the back, or moving around each other, to name a few examples. In the closed position, the leader puts the right hand on the follower's back, while the follower puts the left hand on the leader's shoulder.[1]

Bachata

In partnering, the lead can decide whether to perform in open, semi close or close position. Dance moves, or step variety, during performance and strongly depends on the music (such as the rhythms played by the different instruments), setting, mood, and interpretation. Unlike Salsa, Bachata dance does not usually include many complex turn patterns.

The authentic dance from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean is a basic dance sequence in a full 8 count moving within a square. Dancers in the Western World much later began developing a more simple pattern and added dance elements from other dances as well. The basic step is a full 8 count, but with a side-to-side motion. Both main dances consist of 3 steps normal and then a tap step. The tap is often accompanied by a “pop” of the hips, and is sometimes substituted with syncopations (steps in between the beats).[2]

Zouk

Is also a couple style of dance; it involves a lot of body movement and is considered the most sensual Latin dance in the world. Zouk is stylised and utilises a lot of turns. Uses a count referred to as slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick. Recommended only for senior year levels.

Reggaeton

This dance form is an example of a partnered dance. In classes a choreographed sequence is generally taught, but in practice it is an improvised dance. Reggaeton music has a mixture of Jamaican and Latin American influences, blended with Hip Hop and Electronica beats.

Samba

Samba is a solo dance that is most often danced impromptu when samba music is played. The basic movement involves a straight body and a bending of one knee at a time. The feet move very slightly - only a few inches at a time. The rhythm is 2/4, with 3 steps per measure. It can be thought of as a step-ball-change. It can be described calling it and-a-one, and-a-two, then back to one. The basic movement is the same to either side, where one foot moves to the outside lifting up just before the first beat (i.e. the right leg moves slightly to the right) and leg is kept as straight as a pole. The other foot moves slightly towards the front, and closer to the first foot. The second leg bends lightly at the knee so that the left side of the hip lowers and the right side appears to move higher. The weight is shifted to this inside foot briefly for the next "and-a", then shifted back to the outside foot on the "two", and the same series of actions is repeated towards the other side.

The dance simply follows the beat of the music and can go from average pace to very fast. Men dance with the whole foot on the ground while women, often wearing heels, dance just on the balls of the foot.

Cha Cha

The Cha Cha is a lively, sassy, groovy dance characterized by the "cha-cha-cha" sound in the music, in fact the name of this dance is said to arise from the sound of sandals slapping against the floor in the Cha Cha Cha syncopation triple step.

A very popular social dance, danced mainly in partnership between man and woman moving and swaying to the beats of this groove inspiring ‘Cha Cha Cha’ sound, it is a close sibling dance to the Salsa with an added 3 step syncopation between the forward and back step.
In performance this dance is cheeky and playful.[3]

Merengue

Merengue a style of Dominican music and dance. Partners hold each other in a closed position. Partners bend their knees slightly left and right, thus making the hips move left and right. The hips of the leader and follower move in the same direction throughout the song. Partners may walk sideways or circle each other, in small steps. They can switch to an open position and do separate turns without letting go each other's hands or releasing one hand. During these turns they may twist and tie their handhold into intricate pretzels. Other choreographies are possible.

Although the tempo of the music may be frenetic, the upper body is kept majestic and turns are slow, typically four beats/steps per complete turn.[4]

9. Zumba

An aerobic fitness program featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music.