What we Teach

American & International Style Ballroom

Taught by Instructors: Brittney Valdez, Devin Ryan, Rodolfo Blanquicett, Susan Cole, Eric Nava, Harrison Ramsey, Matt Rivers, Domas Vaitkus, Alex Arteaga

Ballroom dancing is a form of partnered social and competitive dance that brings an era of old Hollywood to mind, and with it, images of the likes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Many people equate ballroom dancing with all partner dancing; however, with the emergence of dance competitions a set of thirteen dances have become synonymous with ballroom dancing and they are: Rumba, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep. Whether you are inspired to learn for the glitz, glamour, and athleticism of competitive ballroom, or just want a little taste of the poise, grace, and elegance the style offers, we’ve got you covered!

Below are the dances that fall within each style.
American Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo
American Smooth: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz
International Latin: Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive
International Standard: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Fox, Quickstep

Latin

Taught by Instructors: Eric Nava, Brittney Valdez, Devin Ryan, Rodolfo Blanquicett, Susan Cole, Alex Arteaga

Latin dancing is known for its fiery rhythms, sensual nature, and grounded, earthy feel.  The upbeat music has a way of moving people out of their seats and to the dance floor, experienced or not. Stemming from different Latin American regions, the most common dances you will run across in a Latin club today are Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, and Cha Cha. If you have your sights set on spicing up your night life and reaching salsero status, we’re here to help you get there!

Latin dances: Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, Cha Cha

Country

Taught by Instructors: Brittney Valdez, Eric Nava, Devin Ryan, Julie Hein, Don Leynes, Harrison Ramsey

Country dancing has proud beginnings as social bar room dancing, where country music and its trademark story driven lyrics, cowboy hats, and boots were all a staple, and its signature dance was the Two Step.  In the late 1980’s, a competitive circuit was formed, mixing popular social dances original to Country together with borrowed Ballroom dances, all set to country music. Today, they include: Two Step, Polka, Nightclub, Triple Two Step, Waltz, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, and West Coast Swing. Since their start, competitions have evolved to include the glitz and rhinestones of Ballroom, but the boots (now dance boots) and the hats remain, preserving its distinctive history.  Even if routines and rhinestones or boots and hats aren’t for you, but the feel-good music gets you going every time, stroll on into the studio where our best northern version of a warm southern welcome will be awaiting you!

Country Dances: Two Step, Polka, Nightclub, Triple Two Step, Waltz, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing

East Coast Swing

Taught by Instructors: Brittney Valdez, Devin Ryan, Susan Cole, Eric Nava, Harrison Ramsey, Alex Arteaga, Julie Hein, Don Leynes

The Roaring 20’s and Swing Era of the 1930s-40’s produced hundreds of styles of swing, most notably East Coast Swing, Lindy, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, and Balboa, all inspired by the popular swing style of jazz music that reigned supreme. Today, East Coast Swing remains one of the most popular forms of swing out there.  The music has a bouncy and energetic feel that can’t be ignored and will have you movin’ and groovin’ before you even step foot on the dance floor.  Whether you’re into big band, rock-n-roll, blues, country, or even more modern music, East Coast Swing promises to be your dance of choice for much of your night out!  Be-Bop on by to see us and we’ll have you swingin’ out with a permanent pep in your step!

Other Swing Era Dances Taught: Lindy, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Balboa

West Coast Swing

Taught by Instructors: Brittney Valdez, Harrison Ramsey, Devin Ryan, Eric Nava, Susan Cole, Julie Hein, Don Leynes

West Coast Swing dates back to the jazz era with roots in Lindy Hop, but has evolved numerous times into the elastic and smooth improvisational partner dance it is today.  Because the dance can be used with so many types of music ranging from blues, to hip hop, to pop, and more, interpretation and personal style are unique to the dance.  Learning the dance centers around patterns and connection, but in the end, only as a means to communicate creatively between partners.  If you want the versatility of a dance that can cater to your mood at the moment and let you jam on the dance floor, no matter the music, swing on by!

Hustle

Taught by Instructors: Liz Gutzwiler, Eric Nava, Brittney Valdez, Susan Cole, Julie Hein & Don Leynes, Harrison Ramsey

Hustle is a partner dance form that first emerged during the 1970’s disco era, its roots in both Mambo and Swing.  It is a smooth slotted dance that continuously rotates and, while at its start, disco music may have defined the dance, today Hustle is danced to modern pop music and to a more medium tempo.  If you want to learn the dance that will best impress your friends within the first thirty seconds, hurry on in and we’ll have you hustlin’ out to the dance floor in no time!

Argentine Tango

Taught by Instructors: Karen Ma, Devin Ryan

Argentine Tango originated in the dance halls of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the sultry and passionate images of its iconic close embrace are what most envision when they think of Tango. The orchestral music it is danced to can vary greatly by speed and feel, naturally creating multiple styles of Argentine Tango. The basic foundation comes from the classic Salon Style Tango where the mechanics and concept of true lead and follow are established. That foundation allows dancers to handle the more intimate and nuanced connection of the Milonguero Style, the lively fast paced speed of Milonga Style, or the eloquent smooth nature of the Vals Style. No matter the type of Tango that inspires you, drop in and add a bit of drama to your life!

Argentine Tango Styles: Salon, Milonguero, Milonga, Vals

Adult Ballet

Taught by Instructors: April Blanquicett, Michele Broviak

Ballet is known for being a technical dance, but it also provides the foundation for many partner dances.  In partner dancing, we quickly jump to taking frame without first assessing how we carry ourselves and its affect on our partner. Sometimes we end up back tracking to work on our posture, frame, feet, and carriage at the same time we are focusing on the correct footsteps, connection, and style we are after. Instead, try complementing your partner dancing with Ballet. It will allow you the time and repetition necessary to master foundational basics that will strengthen you as an individual dancer, making your partner dancing that much more enjoyable. Transformation awaits you, and we’ll be here every step and turn of the way!

Adult Tap

Taught by Instructors: Michele Broviak, April Blanquicett

Want to move like Ginger Rogers or Fred Astaire? Then you would want to combine your smooth training with tap dancing. What a beautiful combination. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn tap dancing! No tap shoes? No problem! Learn in your Cuban heel practice shoes. You will be dancing like the famous duo in no time! No tap experience necessary.

Fitness

Taught by Instructor: April Blanquicett