What are American and International Styles
of Dancing?
American Style
American Style dancing is based on social dancing and is
primarily danced in the United States. American Style consists of two
types of dance, Smooth and Rhythm dances. The only competitions that
you will see American Style being performed at are those that are held
in the United States.
- American Smooth
-
consists of four dances: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and the Viennese Waltz.
- American Rhythm
-
consists of five dances: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, and
the Mambo.
International
Style
International Style dancing is danced all over the world in
social dancing as well as in competitions. International Style is also
broken down into two types of
dance, Standard and Latin.
- International Standard
-
consists of five dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot,
and the Quickstep.
- International Latin
-
consists of five dances: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and the
Jive.
Differences Between
International and American Styles of Dancing
Difference between
International Standard and American Smooth
- International Standard
-
focuses more on the technical aspect of dancing in closed position. By
dancing only in closed hold couples learn to develop the technical
movements and characteristics of each dance and the partnering skills
required to dance as a couple.
- American Smooth
- is
more interpretive, allowing couples to dance in both closed and open
positions. This gives dancers the ability to express themselves in the
dances in their own creative way.
Difference between International Latin and American Rhythm
- International Latin
- is
very structured focusing on technical actions and quality of movement.
International Latin is very popular and danced in most competitions
throughout the world.
- American Rhythm
- was
developed from social dance styles and like American Smooth focuses on
open interpretation of the dances. American Rhythm, though fun and
popular, is only danced in competitions in the United States.
