Dance Style

Salsa Salsa is a fun and flirtatious Latin American dance, fuelled by Afro-Caribbean rhythms and all-night partying. The dance fuses Cuban, Puerto Rican and Columbian styles into simple and lively movements. Salsa dancers fill venues all over the UK, revelling in this hot Latin dance.

Mambo When Lou Bega rereleased 'Mambo Number Five', dancefloors in the UK were once again alive with Mambo madness. A forerunner of Salsa, Mambo is defined by 1950s Cuban Jazz and accompanied by fast and fun moves. The dance makes a memorable appearance in the hit film 'Dirty Dancing' starring Patrick Swayze.

Merengue The Merengue is the Caribbean Dominican Republic's party dance. Many of the movements are like those of Salsa, but as the Merengue's tempo is slower, the dance is easier to pick up.

Samba The Samba leapt from the street of Rio, Brazil. However, the Samba danced in the International competition style Latin American is very different to the original Bralizian party dance.

Rumba The Rumba provides the setting for sensual and passionate duel between man and woman on the dancefloor. With its pulsating and rumbling rhythms, the Rumba is the slow dance of the Latin world and often referred to as the 'Queen' of all Latin dances. The Rumba is one of the five dances used in International competition style Latin American.

Cha Cha The Cha Cha is another fun and versatile Latin dance and ranks amongst the five dances competed at international level. The dance draws its name from the rhythm of the feet on the dancefloor - 'cha cha cha' - and today's version resembles the original Cuban Cha Cha.

Argentine Tango Argentine Tango was born in Buenos Aires and is a raw and authentic dance which, like many Latin dances, explores and tests the relationship between man and woman. In Tango the man and woman are equal and with the movements weaving contact and separation, the dance suggests that either partner may be seduced. In Europe, we have translated the original Argentine Tango into the Ballroom Tango.

Tango Ballroom The Ballroom Tango is one of the five dances belonging to the International Ballroom Competitions. Many see it as the austere European relative of the raw and compelling Tango Argentino.

Paso Double During the Paso Double, the dancefloor becomes a Spanish bullfighting arena; the man is the matador; and the woman - the flowing provocative cape that entices the bull. This dance, with its constant echoing of the Spanish Flamenco, is one of the five International Latin competition dances. Click here to view a short film clip of the Pasa Double in action!

Waltz The world reknown Waltz captures romance and marks special occasions for dancers everywhere. Originally an 18th century Austrian folk-dance, the Waltz is one of the five dances of International Ballroom competitions. The dance is called the 'slow' or 'English' Waltz in countries where the Viennese Waltz is known as the Waltz. Click here to view a short film clip of the Waltz in action!

Viennese Waltz The Viennese Waltz harks back to days when the Viennese aristocracy danced to the music of Strauss and other classical composers. Today the Viennese Waltz is still danced socially, but the 'slow' or 'English' Waltz is more standard. Elegant and classic, the Viennese Waltz is one of the International Ballroom competition dances.

Foxtrot The Foxtrot is a slow and graceful dance rooted in the Tin Pan Ally of the 1920s. The dance's elegant and beautiful movements make the Foxtrot a challenging dance for ballroom dancers to master. The Foxtrot features in the five International Ballroom competition dances.

Quickstep The first dancers to take the Foxtrot to a faster tempo introduced the Quickstep. There are echoes of Charleston in the Quickstep with the dance's nimble hops and kicks, making it a lively and energetic expedition to the dancefloor. The Quickstep is one of the five international ballroom competition dances.Click here to view a short film clip of the Quickstep in action!

Freestyle/Disco Freestyle/disco is the trendiest and most popular form of dance in the UK today. In involves runs, spins, kicks and leaps as well as many other diverse steps and movements with lots of different arm and hand actions. The music can be fast and 'beaty' or slow and sensuous, allowing dancers of all ages to use freedom of expression to enhance their style.

Streetdance Have you ever seen the hottest pop band's music video or performance on Top of the Pops? Then you will already know what Streetdance looks like. Streetdance takes any form of popular music - from pop to hip hop - and choreographs routines to the beats. We have seen that, only too often, the most successful pop acts have made it big by combining Streetdance routines with their tunes and lyrics.

Theater Craft This most exciting dance form encompasses the wide spectrum of productions that are Musical Theatre. Shows like Grease, My Fair Lady, Bombay Dreams, The Lion King etc all diverse styles but all embraced by the Theatre Craft Title. A dance form for theatrical performance, preparing the body physically through exercise and stimulating artistic ability through dance movement, improvisation and interpretation of music. The use of hand props, make up and much more - it provides all the 'must have' qualities for today's amataeur and professional dancer.

Musical Theatre So you wanna be a star? Or maybe you just want to have the moves - and the fun - of the stars. So start with the IDTA's Musical Theatre Syllabus! A fusion of all modern music and dance styles, Musical Theatre takes you to inspirational heights. The spotlight's on you!

Modern Jazz Modern Jazz is fun. You will learn to develop many different movements reaching to a broad choice of varying rhythms and musical styles. Classes are structured to begin to prepare the physical strength and flexibility required to demonstrate emotion through interpretation of any musical genre, one minute you may be dancing to the rhythm of a drum, the next to a funky jazz style. You may explore contrast between expansion and relaxation or learn to isolate in a slick stylish mood, whatever the atmosphere of the class, it will be a wonderful opportunity to react and interact with other members of the class and really dance to express your feelings.

Jive When Elvis Presley came on at that last wedding reception party you went to, the guests probably took to the dance floor with the Jive. However, there are many different styles of Jive that have adjusted to the various music phases throughout the decades. The 1920s Lindy Hop, 1930s Jitterbug and Boogie Woogie, 1940s Swing, 1950s and 1960s Rock 'n' Roll and French Jive are all styles of Jive. The dance is one of the International Latin American competition dances. Click here to view a short film clip of the Jive in action!

Tap Tap is rhythm - rhythm is tap. Its origins are many and varied. Americans claim its origin dates from the African Jazz age. The Irish stake their claim to the Jigs and Step Dancing. The English relate back to northern Clog Dancers but whichever one chooses to believe, Tap is as popular today as it was in the heyday of the great Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly musicals. Evergreen shows, 42nd Street and Crazy For You, and the more reecnt Stomp and Tap Dogs highlight the great diversities of style and music in tapping. The IDTA has recently launched its new Tap Grade Examinations. Thousands of examinations and medal tests are held each year for childrens, students and professionals and a wide range of tests are available for adults of all ages. A gentle, rhythmical and enjoyable way to keep fit!

Ballet Ballet for pleasure, Ballet for the more serious-minded. This classical style of expressive movement has something to offer for everyone. Ballet dates back to the 17th century. The conventional steps, grace and fluidity of movement are still found in Ballet today. Choreographers have been influenced by composers through the ages. Ballet has a technique which is the foundation of all dance.

source from http://www.idta.co.uk