Ballroom Dance Course

Lesson 1 • Basic Footwork Mechanics

Covers heel leads, toe leads, and flat-foot placement specific to ballroom technique. Proper footwork is the foundation for rise, fall, and swing actions.

Lesson 2 • Posture and Body Alignment

Establishes the vertical axis, frame, and weight distribution essential to all ballroom styles. Correct alignment prevents injury and enables partner connection.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Dance Frame

Defines closed and open dance frame and the role of each arm and hand position. A stable frame is the primary channel for lead-and-follow communication.

Lesson 4 • Lead and Follow Fundamentals

Teaches the physical signals used to initiate, sustain, and end movement between partners. Students practise sending and receiving clear directional cues.

Lesson 1 • Waltz Timing and Character

Introduces the 1-2-3 count, musical phrasing, and the lyrical quality that defines waltz. Students connect timing to the characteristic swaying motion.

Lesson 2 • Natural and Reverse Turns

Develops rotational technique through right-turning natural and left-turning reverse figures. Students learn to navigate the floor using continuous turns.

Lesson 3 • Box Step and Footwork Patterns

Teaches the foundational box step as a vehicle for applying waltz timing and footwork. The box step is the building block for all waltz figures.

Lesson 4 • Rise and Fall Action

Explains the vertical movement created through ankle, knee, and hip articulation across three beats. Rise and fall gives waltz its signature floating quality.

Lesson 1 • Gliding Action and Footwork

Teaches the long, smooth stride and heel-lead footwork that distinguish foxtrot from other smooth dances. Gliding action requires controlled weight transfer.

Lesson 2 • Foxtrot Timing and Music

Covers the 4/4 time signature, slow and quick beat values, and the big-band musical style. Accurate timing is the entry point for all foxtrot technique.

Lesson 3 • Feather Step and Three-Step

Introduces the feather step and three-step as the core travelling figures of foxtrot. These figures establish the forward-moving character of the dance.

Lesson 4 • Floor Craft and Routine Building

Applies foxtrot figures to real floor navigation, including overtaking, slowing, and cornering. Students assemble a short routine adaptable to a social dance floor.

Lesson 1 • New York and Open Breaks

Introduces the New York figure and open break as tools for creating visual lines and partner separation. These figures expand the spatial vocabulary of cha-cha.

Lesson 2 • Cha-Cha Timing and Character

Introduces the 4/4 count with the distinctive 4-and-1 cha-cha rhythm and the playful, flirtatious character. Accurate timing is the prerequisite for all cha-cha technique.

Lesson 3 • Turns and Spot Turns

Develops underarm turns, spot turns, and alemana for both leader and follower. Turns add visual variety and test the precision of timing and frame.

Lesson 4 • Latin Hip Action

Teaches the Cuban motion hip action produced by alternating knee straightening and weight transfer. Hip action is the defining physical quality of all Latin dances.

Lesson 1 • Rumba Basic and Box Step

Introduces the rumba basic movement and box step as the structural foundation of the dance. These patterns reinforce timing and hip action simultaneously.

Lesson 2 • Cucarachas and Side Steps

Develops the cucaracha figure and extended side steps that create wide, expressive lines. These figures build spatial awareness and body isolation skills.

Lesson 3 • Rumba Hip Action and Walk

Teaches the delayed, weighted hip action and the characteristic Cuban walk used in rumba. Slow timing amplifies the visual impact of each hip placement.

Lesson 4 • Fan, Hockey Stick, and Alemana

Covers three classic rumba figures that develop open-position technique and follower styling. Mastery of these figures enables a complete social rumba routine.

Lesson 1 • Tango Character and Music

Introduces the aggressive, staccato character of ballroom tango and its 2/4 or 4/4 musical structure. Character understanding shapes every technical choice in tango.

Lesson 2 • Tango Walk and Footwork

Teaches the flat-footed, stalking walk and sharp foot placement unique to tango. Precise footwork is the technical foundation for all tango figures.

Lesson 3 • Progressive Link and Closed Promenade

Introduces the progressive link and closed promenade as the primary directional figures of tango. These figures teach promenade position and the tango flick.

Lesson 4 • Rocks, Corte, and Basic Routine

Develops rock steps, the corte, and links them into a complete basic tango routine. Students practise dramatic pauses and sharp directional changes.

Lesson 1 • Quickstep Basic Figures

Teaches the quarter turn, progressive chasse, and forward lock step as the foundational quickstep figures. These figures establish the travelling, floor-covering quality of the dance.

Lesson 2 • Syncopations and Running Figures

Develops the running finish, tipple chasse, and syncopated lock step for added speed and flair. Syncopations are the hallmark of advanced quickstep performance.

Lesson 3 • Quickstep Timing and Character

Introduces the fast 4/4 timing, light and bouncy character, and syncopated rhythms of quickstep. Quickstep combines foxtrot technique with added speed and playfulness.

Lesson 4 • Viennese Natural and Reverse Turns

Covers the natural and reverse turns as the primary figures of Viennese waltz. Continuous rotation at speed requires precise footwork and partner synchronisation.

Lesson 1 • Stage Presence and Performance

Develops projection, eye contact, and emotional expression for a live audience. Stage presence transforms a technically correct routine into a compelling performance.

Lesson 2 • Rehearsal Strategies

Teaches structured practice methods including marking, drilling, and full run-throughs. Efficient rehearsal accelerates retention and reduces performance errors.

Lesson 3 • Musicality and Phrasing

Develops the ability to interpret musical structure, dynamics, and emotion through movement choices. Musicality elevates technical execution into artistic performance.

Lesson 4 • Choreography Principles

Introduces figure selection, spatial design, and musical mapping as tools for building a routine. Effective choreography balances technical challenge with visual impact.