Our wonderful ballroom staff has a broad range of knowledge and experience. Are you looking to learn a specific style of ballroom dance? Don't worry, we can help you achieve your goal. Not quite sure what you are looking for? Use our helpful descriptions below of all of the various ballroom styles that New York Crystal Dance offers and find what interests you. Start learning a new ballroom dance today and be the life of your next party!

International Styles

• Cha Cha

  The Cha Cha is a lively, flirtatious ballroom dance full of passion and energy. The classic "Cuban motion" gives the Cha Cha its unique style. Partners work together to synchronize each movement in perfect alignment. *Also, taught in the American style.
• Foxtrot

  The Foxtrot is a ballroom dance that is lots of fun and simple to learn...an excellent dance for beginners. The Foxtrot is a smooth dance in which dancers make long, flowing movements across the floor. *Also, taught in the American style.
• Paso Doble

  The Paso Doble is one of the liveliest ballroom dances, originating in southern France. It is modeled after the sound, drama, and movement of the Spanish bullfight. *Also, taught in the American style.
• Rhumba

  The Rumba is considered by many to be the most romantic and sensual of all Latin ballroom dances. It is often referred to as the "Grandfather of the Latin dances." *Also, taught in the American style.
• Viennese Waltz

  The Viennese Waltz is a quick rotating ballroom dance with a subtle rise and fall. It is considered by most to be one of the most difficult dances to learn. The simple and elegant rotational movement characterizes the Viennese Waltz. *Also, taught in the American style.
• Waltz

  The Waltz is one of the smoothest ballroom dances. It is a progressive dance marked by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and "rise and fall." The dance is so graceful and elegant, Waltz dancers appear to glide around the floor with almost no effort. *Also, taught in the American style.
• Samba

  Possibly the most popular of all Brazilian ballroom dances, the Samba is popular with young people as well as older generations. The Samba can be performed solo or with a partner.
• Quickstep

  The Quickstep is a quick version of the Foxtrot. It is a ballroom dance comprised of extremely quick stepping, syncopated feet rhythms, and runs of quick steps. The Quickstep is exciting to watch, but among the most difficult of all the ballroom dances.
• Tango

  The Tango is one of the most fascinating of all ballroom dances. This sensual ballroom dance originated in South America in the early twentieth century.

American Styles

• Jive

  Jive is a ballroom dance style that originated in the United States from African-Americans. It is a lively form of Swing dance, and a variation of the Jitterbug.
• Swing

  Swing dance is a lively dance style in which couples swing, spin and jump together. Swing dancing is a general term that means dancing to swing music, or music that "swings." How can you tell if a song swings? Swing dancers know when a song swings because when they hear it, they can't stand still.
• Bolero

  Originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time, the Bolero was modified in Cuba to become 2/4 time, then eventually into 4/4. It is now present as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. The music is frequently arranged with Spanish vocals and a subtle percussion effect, usually implemented with Conga or Bongos. Bolero is part of the American Style syllabus.
• Mambo

  The spicy Mambo as we know it now, grew out of the Danzon (national music of Cuba) and grasped the imagination of the American dance scene at the close of WWII. Later, the Swing-Jazz and upbeat Latin music joined to form the updated and uninhibited Mambo. The Mambo is a spot dance and the steps are quite compact. Mambo is part of the American Style syllabus.

Other Styles

• West Coast Swing

  A slotted dance in which the follower travels back and forth along a rectangle, or slot.
• Lindy Hop

  The Lindy Hop is the ballroom dance considered to be the father of all Swing dances. It is known for its unique, athletic style, and often contains aerial jumps, twists and flips.
• Mambo

  The Mambo is one of the most sensual and emotional Latin American ballroom dances. Swaying hip movements, facial expressions, arm movements and holds all add to the sensuality of the dance.
• Salsa

  The Salsa is a lively, flirtatious ballroom dance full of passion and energy. The classic "Cuban motion" gives the Salsa its unique style. Partners work together to synchronize each movement in perfect alignment.
• Merengue

  Ballroom dance of Dominican and Haitian origin, characterized by a stiff-legged, limping step with Cuban motion.
• Peabody

  Foxtrot type dance, but a characteristic f\of right outside partner. Also known as a fast 1-step.
• Bachata

  Born in the brothels and back alleys of Santo Domingo, bachata has evolved into the national music of the Dominican Republic. At its core, bachata is an emotional, romantic genre of music, fusing together.
• Hustle

  The Hustle (Disco) is a member of the Swing family and is like the West Coast Swing in pattern. It has a distinct flavor utilizing flamboyant Disco-style music. Its great accomplishment was to bring partner-style dancing back into vogue among nightclub dancers in the 70's. Hustle is a fast, smooth dance, with the lady spinning almost constantly, while her partner draws her close and sends her away.