Posted by on Feb 13, 2018 in Blogs

dancesport-modern-ballroom

There are a number of different types of dance that may look the same but are quite different. These types of dances stem from different traditions and use different music and slightly modified movements. In order to tell them apart, you need to know the basics behind them. Here are five that need defining:

Ballroom

Ballroom dancing is what most people think of when they picture a traditional partner dance. Ballroom dancing consists of the waltz, the foxtrot, the tango, the Viennese waltz, and other similar partnered styles. Ballroom dancing is broken down into categories, including International Standard, International Latin, and American Style.

Modern

Modern dance is a catchall phrase for all types of dancing that do not fall into the ballroom, standard, international, and dancesport categories. Modern dance considers dance to be an art form, therefore it is interpreted in a number of different ways.

Standard

Standard dancing is another term for some of the same ballroom, or partner, dancing. Dances that fall into the “standard” category are the waltz, the tango, the foxtrot, the Viennese waltz, and the quickstep. When these dances are done for a competition, they become known as International Standard.

International

International dances are a catchall term for the competitive versions of ballroom dances. There are two main categories: International Standard, which includes the tango and the Viennese waltz; and International Latin, which includes the Rumba, the Paso Doble, and the Cha-Cha.

Dancesport

Dancesport is a competitive form of ballroom dancing. It is done in front of judges, in the form of dance that is required of the competitors. This can be everything from the waltz to the slow foxtrot. There are different categories for age and skill level.

We teach many of these styles at Elite Dance Studio; contact us today to learn more.