Learn about Ballroom Dancing

The Heritage Classic - Twenty-Five Years and Counting!
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, May 02, 2012 - Colin Hillary

What factors does a judge weigh in assessing a couple's performance?
The criteria that a judge might choose to consider are actually too numerous to examine individually in the brief time allotted, since at least six couples are being judged simultaneously. Therefore, the judge must rely on the impression each couple makes relative to the others . The experienced judge, having seen and studied dancing at all levels, can quickly assess these factors collectively.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, April 18, 2012 - Dan Radler

How to prepare for your ballroom dance competition
Mental Preparation before the competition, Motivation, Start your preparations well in advance, Nutrition and Diet, Two weeks before the competition, Right before the competition, Stretching and Warming up, Learn how to move on
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, April 18, 2012 - Igor Galabov

Why Should I Compete?
Anyone who has ever walked into a dance studio and peeked into the ballroom can immediately tell you the dual feeling of excitement and intimidation upon seeing a pro/am or professional couple practicing in the ballroom.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, April 18, 2012 - John DePalma - Organizer of Capital Dancesport Championships

Arthur Murray Celebrates 100 Years of Teaching The World to Dance
2012 marks 100 years since a shy young man named Arthur Murray stepped onto the dance floor and into the history of American pop culture. Known best for the iconic Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Arthur Murray was a brilliant marketer and innovator, starting his dance teaching career in 1912.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, March 20, 2012 - Arthur Murray

Waltz Defined
If there's one dance that is described as smooth, graceful and full of vigor, it is the Waltz. Considered as 'the mother of present day dances', the waltz is a romantic dance performed by couples in circular figures with whirling motions, executed in moderately fast triple meter with marked accent on the first beat of the measure.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Salsa Defined
A dance of energy and passion that flows while being performed at the dance floor, Salsa is its name. It oozes with sensuous style, its liveliness is contagious enough you want to get on your feet and dance to the rhythm.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Tango Defined
Tango is one of the most fascinating of all dances. Performed by a man and a woman, it speaks of unconcealed love and the battle between the two sexes.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Cha Cha Defined
One of the most popular of the social Latin-American dances, the Cha Cha is vigorous and flirtatious, full of passion and energy.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Foxtrot Defined
Much loved among many ballroom dancers, the Foxtrot is a dance that is smooth and it travels around the line of the dance. It is often deemed as the Rolls Royce of standard dances because of its smoothness.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Samba Defined
The Samba is referred to as the dance of joy and celebration at Carnivals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A dance that is lively and rhythmical, it has become one of the most popular Latin dances in ballroom dancing competitions.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Quickstep Defined
Much like a fast version of the foxtrot, the quickstep is a light-hearted member of the ballroom dances. It is composed of extremely quick stepping and syncopated feet rhythms accompanied by fast-paced music.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

East Coast Swing Defined
A dance derived from lindy hop, east coast swing or the "triple step" is a dance that is fun, lively and upbeat that is circular in motion.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Hustle Defined
Who wouldn't forget the infamous movie 'Saturday Night Fever' starring John Travolta with his legs apart and finger pointing in the air position matched with his white suit? This was the season of the hustle hype. Hustle is the ideal dance for nightclub, dance-beat music.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Nightclub 2-Step Defined
An alternative to 'slow dance', the Night Club Two-step is a romantic dance you can do in nightclubs as well as ballrooms, cruises and wedding receptions. It can be an alternative to 'slow dancing' where you simply put your hands on your partner's waist or neck and sway back and forth.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Bolero Defined
Deemed as the Cuban 'dance of love' and was once acknowledged as the "most popular lyric tradition of Latin America", the bolero keeps its reputation as the classic love dance of all times. It may not be as common as the waltz or cha-cha but it remains as a survivor, loved by dancers around the world.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Argentine Tango Defined
There's no other dance that best describes romance and passion than the Argentine tango. As Isadora Duncan, an American modern dancer said when she visited Argentina in 1916, "I have never danced tango, and a tourist guide forced me to dance. My fist steps were timid, but the feeling of the languid music caused my body to respond to the voluptuousness of the dance. Soft as a caress, toxic as love under the midday sun, cruel and dangerous as a tropical forest."
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

West Coast Swing Defined
West coast swing, an offshoot of another swing style dance called Lindy, is a dance that can be enjoyed in small spaces because of its 'slotted' nature.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Mambo Defined
The Mambo is a favorite among the ballroom dances because of its high energy level and contagious rhythms. It is a dance so fascinating and diverse, it is enjoyed throughout the world at both social and competitive levels.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Viennese Waltz Defined
'Never have I moved so lightly. I was no longer a human being. To hold the most adorable creature in one's arms and fly around with her like the wind, so that everything around us fades away." These were the words of great writer named Goethe about dancing the elegant Viennese waltz. Danced faster than the slow waltz, Viennese waltz is considered as the oldest of the current ballroom dances and is often featured in old films.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Paso Doble Defined
Paso Doble or "Two Step" in Spanish, a dance that features sharp footwork and beautiful body shapes. It is an emotive dance that is based on Spanish bull fight where the male represents the matador, and his partner as the red cape.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Merengue Defined
The national dance of Dominican Republic in the Caribbean region, merengue is a dance style derived from Latin American music. It is a combination of two dances, the African and the French Minuet.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Jive Defined
Jive is considered as one of the most popular ballroom dances in the world and referred to as the fifth official Latin ballroom dance. With its light and bouncing characteristic, it appears easy but in reality it's a dance that is highly challenging. But despite of this, it is a favorite dance form by social and professional dancers.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Lindy Hop Defined
Often described as the original swing dance, Lindy Hop is a dance that will be appreciated by people who possess the gift of rhythm, by those who feel music in their soul. It is described as a jazzy duo dance that jives, jitters and jumps.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

Rumba Defined
Rumba is a dance that narrates a story of passionate love between a strong lover and a teasing woman. A dance filled with sensual movements, it is considered to be the sexiest of all ballroom dances and is the slowest of the five competition Latin and American dances. ?Rumba? refers to a diversity of dances or ?dance party?. This dance and romance is one of the most famous dances around the world and is performed at weddings, nightclubs and dance competitions.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, February 21, 2012 - The AccessDance Network

What attributes do some people have that make them naturally great dancers while others have to work very hard to make minimal improvements?
Answers from Champions, Coaches, Competition Organizers, and Adjudicators -Yvonne Marceau, Jennifer Booth, Bill Davies, Pierre Dulaine, Elizabeth Knoll, and Ray Rivers.
Added to AccessDance National: Sat, February 11, 2012 - Christine Zona

Ashley Frohlick... The Blackpool Beat Goes On
When we hear the names, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey or Benny Goodman we conjure up an image of dancing the night away to the exciting music of a live orchestra. But when we think of competition dancing, especially here in the United States, we assume that the music is pre recorded. Since it?s inception, the British Open Championships, better known as Blackpool, have always employed a live orchestra to play for the competition.
Added to AccessDance National: Mon, January 30, 2012 - Christine Zona

LineDanceSport. Taking A Step Beyond Social Dance.
Until recently, linedancing has been thought of as mostly a social activity taught in churches, clubs and a few dance schools. But for some students, it's steps and patterns have led to an interest in Ballroom dancing; making it much easier for them to learn new skills.
Added to AccessDance National: Fri, January 27, 2012 - Melva Gail Smith

AccessDance Network Draws Attention To Ballroom Dance
At 85,000 Visitors A Month, AccessDance Network Draws Attention To Ballroom Dance. Once in a while I run into a dance site that is so impressive and beneficial that it must be shared with our readers. Providing the latest in technology to the dance i
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, December 22, 2011 - Melva Smith

Promoting Dance Through Flash Mobs...
Recently you may have heard a lot about Flash Mobs, as they seem to be gaining popularity with both ballroom and line dancers alike. So what is it that attracts so many to these gatherings of dancers that seem to appear out of no where and dance? Aud
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, December 22, 2011 - Melva Smith

Batons and Ballroom
The United States was awarded the hosting of the 2011 World Baton Twirling Federation International Cup August 4-7 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA at the Jacksonville Veteran's Memorial Arena.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Michael Mecham

Dancing Bliss - What Causes It???
Most of us have experienced the unmistakable feeling of total bliss when we dance. Ask almost any dancer, and they will likely tell you, there isn't any other feeling quite like it. Jorge Quiroa, of Louisville, who has been dancing for over 10 years,
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

History of the Polka
When dancers think of Polka, they usually visualize a lively, fast paced dance, that normally travels around the perimeter of a large dance floor. Originally a Czech peasant dance, Polka first became popular in the mid 1800's, and is the official sta
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

Building Lasting Relationships Through Dance
If you know a couple looking for something to help spark up their relationship, you might want to suggest they take dance classes. Most of us have heard the saying "those who play together, stay together." There is something about interacting with yo
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

USA Dance Greater NYC Chapter President Appears on Global Radio Show
Yang Chen, president of the Greater New York Chapter #3004, joined other dance representatives on Let?s Travel! Radio Oct. 20 to share?and further?the mission of USA Dance with people around the world.
Added to AccessDance National: Mon, December 19, 2011 - Breanna Olaveson

Ballroom Dancing Art or Sport
Many dancers feel that what they do is a work of art, while others feel they are truly sportsmen. Still others think the combination of these two worlds, art and sport, make the finished product perfection. With the imminent inclusion of dancesport in the Olympics, we posed the question, "Ballroom Dancing? Art or Sport?" to amateur and professional competitors and judges. We found their views to be most interesting.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 14, 2011 - Christine Zona

Larry Dean Live
He trained at night after working his full-time day job. He rode to the studio on his bicycle, his dance shoes safely under a poncho.
Added to AccessDance National: Mon, November 28, 2011 - Alex

Rave Reviews : LARRY DEAN LIVE
Talking to Larry Dean is like living the history of Ballroom in Quickstep time! I was on the edge of my seat, drawn to his tremendous energy. It was thrilling to learn how his commitment to the industry had grown into the Triple Crown and Crown Jewel competitions.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, November 09, 2011 - Alex

Ballroom Dancing: Hot Cha Cha!
"First the music then the dance". It may take a few private lessons to distinguish one rhythm from another, but dancing on time to the beat of the drum is really what it's all about. Hopefully you enjoy music. It will make the arduous process a lot more fun and how exciting to learn that your favorite song is a Cha Cha or Foxtrot! It truly opens up a new world of music appreciation.
Added to AccessDance National: Fri, May 13, 2011 - Tracy Kaye Holly CSNA Master

Ballroom Dancing: Old, New, Borrowed & Hot Blooded
Dancing is as old as humanity itself dating back to Neolithic Origin from before 3000 B.C. Written records supplement many pictorial remains in civilizations of Egypt Greece and Rome. The Records speak of a class of professional dancers famous for their artistry, known as pygmy, who were originally imported from Equatorial Africa.
Added to AccessDance National: Fri, May 13, 2011 - Tracy Kaye Holly CSNA Master

Keeping In Shape Through Zumba
I magine arriving at a fitness facility where you are about to teach an aerobics class, only to find that you have forgotten all the dance music.
Added to AccessDance National: Sun, May 01, 2011 - Melva Smith

Tony Dovolani... Ballroom Dancing's Star
"Dancing With The Stars" has made Tony Dovolani famous all over the country. As a season regular almost from the beginning of the show, he has danced with celebrities who have now made ballroom dancing part of their lives. Marissa Jaret Winokur, his partner in season six, became so enamored with dancing that she began hosting her own dance show! But Tony was a dance star long before he partnered Stacy Kiebler, Jane Seymour or Melissa Ryecroft.
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, September 01, 2009 - Christine Zona

USA Dance And Special Olympics Join Forces For A Ground-Breaking Competition
USA Dance in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Special Olympics are working together to organize a ballroom dance competition to be held July 5th and 6th of this year. "Dance Notes" talked with representatives of many of the associations that have been instrumental in bringing this pioneering event to Fort Wayne.
Added to AccessDance National: Sat, March 01, 2008 - Christine Zona

Maksim Chmerkovskiy... Ballroom Dancing's Hottest Bachelor
Maksim Chmerkovskiy is one of the most popular professional dancers on "Dancing With The Stars." His talent and personality have moved him to the forefront of entertainment news and he is recognized wherever he goes.
Added to AccessDance National: Sat, September 01, 2007 - Christine Zona

A beautiful Mind (set)
I recently had the opportunity to judge a youth competition and was amazed at the wonderful grooming of these children. I saw children ages 4-5 years old through their late teens all looking like beauty queens or Mr. GQ. In an age where dressing up is wearing jeans without holes in them and actually having them sit ON the hips, I experienced a flutter of hope that maybe one day these kids might help make the world a prettier place just by being in it .
Added to AccessDance National: Tue, May 01, 2007 - Lisa Bentley

British Championships... Changing Of The Guard
What a thrill it must be to organize one of the most prestigious dance competitions in the world and what a responsibility! This year was Sandra Wilson?s first year to be totally in charge of organizing The British Open Championships, better known as Blackpool, the city where the competition is held. Sandra took over after Gillian MacKenzie retired last year. Dance Notes spoke with Sandra during the festival and she seemed to be taking it all in stride? very cool, calm and collected.
Added to AccessDance National: Fri, July 01, 2005 - Christine Zona

Curious About Your Placement?
A Master Scrutineer sheds some light on the matter. Between the afternoon dance session and dinner, Jackie Rogers walks out of the hotel building to have an interview with us. "This is very nice," she says, deeply inhaling the fresh outdoor air, "I haven't been outside for three days." Rogers has been working as a scrutineer since the beginning of the American Star Ball, held at the New Brunswick Hilton.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, May 01, 2003 - Christine Zona

Frankie Manning... Master Of The Lindy Hop
From his early days at ballrooms like the Alhambra and the Savoy, to his nearly constant traveling and teaching, Frankie Manning has been dancing longer than most of you reading this have been alive.
Added to AccessDance National: Sat, March 01, 2003 - Christine Zona

Dancing Tid-bits: Music for Dancing, I Went Dancing
Dancemax Letter #8: We will call this series "I went dancing last night". In this letter I will describe an experience, a fiction based on reality but will exaggerate and highlight some pertinent learning points
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 20, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: American vs. International style Q and A
Dancemax Letter #6: The last letter "American vs. International" generated many comments and Qs and As. A brief summary is presented.
Added to AccessDance National: Mon, July 10, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: American vs. International style
Dancemax Letter #5: The battle goes on and on. There are so many misconceptions and so many people take it so far that it looks as if that these are 2 different animals (for the lack of a better word). It really all depends on you. I feel that it distorts the whole picture and presents an off-balance view of ballroom dancing.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 06, 2000 - Max Ali

Here at AccessDance, our mission is to help you find instructors who offer classes for the beginner to experienced dancers in a safe, comfortable environment. Once you've entered the ballroom dance community, it's much easier to find out about dance events where you can socialize and show off your skills. Dance is a wonderful, exciting way to become active and develop new friends at the same time.

AccessDance : Ballroom 101 Dance Lessons in DOVER, Delaware