Our classes cover all five dances of international style ballroom: Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz.
We have medal classes for both beginners and intermediate dancers, technique classes, and beginners’ team classes for those interested in dancing competitively at a national level.
If you’re interested in dancing competitively, please see our Team page.
Waltz
The Waltz originated from Vienna and Austria in the 17th century. Throughout the 18th century a dance called the ‘waltzen’ developed. This dance was introduced at the beginning of the 19th century where it was met with some indignation as it was the first dance that was danced with the man’s hand around the girl’s waist. Fortunately the opposition to the dance dispersed allowing it to develop into what we now know as the Modern Waltz.
Quickstep
The Quickstep was originally a fast version of a Foxtrot, developed because many bands in the 1920s played the Foxtrot music too fast. The energy exerted during a 60 second Quickstep is the equivalent to that exerted by running a mile in record time. The Quickstep is the most popular ballroom dance today.
Foxtrot
The Foxtrot originated in 1913 from the Vaudeville act of actor Harry Fox. The dance contains a mixture of quick and slow steps and gives much more enjoyment than the one- and two-step that it replaced. It has smooth gliding steps that develop around the ballroom floor throughout the dance.
Tango
In the early 19th century the Tango was a solo dance performed by women. It originated from Argentina and spread through Europe in the 1900s. The phrasing is very important in Tango; there are major phrases, minor phrases and Tango closes at the end of the phrase. There are many different types of Tango, however, the style that we dance is the International Tango.
Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz is a much faster version of the Modern Waltz, but has the same origins. In 1830, composers Franz Lanner and Johann Strauss allowed the Viennese Waltz to develop into what it is today.
Instructors
- Snezhana (Co-Head Ballroom Coach)
- Natasha (Co-Head Ballroom Coach)
- Elena (Head Beginners Coach)
- Arman (Assistant Coach)
- Edita (Ballroom Medals Teacher)
- Stefano (Ballroom Teacher)
More information on our fantastic instructors can be found on the Instructors page.