Dances We Teach
Dancing has exploded in popularity, and La Danse Cleveland makes it easy for you to learn new steps, or refine techniques and add styling to dances you already know. You’ll love our 6,000 square feet, state-of-the-art “social club”. We’ve created a dance studio and ballroom floor that combines energy and comfort, at a convenient location just off Chagrin Boulevard in Beachwood, OH.
Ballroom
American Smooth / International Standard
Waltz is popularly known as the “traditional American wedding dance,” often used for a couple's first dance as well as father/daughter and mother/son dances. Waltz is known for its rise and fall technique, as well as the way waltz dancers sway together, giving the dance a graceful, floating look. Some familiar waltz songs include "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones, "Take it to the Limit" by the Eagles, and "Tennessee Waltz" by Patty Page.
Read more about Waltz on Wikipedia.
Tango has a flavor unlike any other dance -- both dramatic and refined, showy and intimate. Dancers travel around the floor in long strides to songs in 2/4 or 4/4 time signature. Some Tango songs include "Cafetín de Buenos Aires" by Edmundo Rivero, "Por una cabeza" by Carlos de Gardel, and "Besame mucho" by Cesaria Evoria.
Read more about Tango on Wikipedia
Foxtrot is a graceful, upbeat dance style that is well-suited for jazzy big band music. Foxtrot is danced to songs with a 4/4 time signature, and its romantic, flowing look makes it a great choice for wedding first dances. Some popular Foxtrot Songs include Frank Sinatra’s "Fly Me to the Moon", Michael Bublé’s "I Won't Dance," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli.
Read more about Foxtrot on Wikipedia.
The Viennese Waltz originated in Germany and Austria during the late 18th century, and it is the only dance from that time period that is still commonly practiced. Viennese Waltz is a fast dance that features lots of rotation as couples glide around the dance floor. Popular Viennese Waltz songs include "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo's "Traitor", And "Love on the Brain" by Rihanna.
To learn more about Viennese Waltz, click here.
The Quickstep is a dynamic, energetic dance. Quickstep started as a faster variant of the Foxtrot, and the two dances still share some similar steps. The brisk and glamorous tempo of Quickstep can be heard in songs such as "Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman and "That Man" by Caro Emerald.
See an expanded definition and history of Quickstep here on Wiki.
American Rhythm / International Latin
The Cha Cha is the youngest of the “Latin” dances, originally developed in Cuban dance halls in the early 50’s as a mid-tempo variant between Rumba (a slow dance) and Mambo (a very fast dance). Cha Cha is lively, fun, and upbeat, and can be danced to songs with a 4/4 tempo like "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk, Usher's "More," and "Woman" by Doja Cat.
For an expanded definition and history of Cha Cha, visit Wikipedia.
Rumba is a slow, romantic dance that is sometimes called "the dance of love." American Rhythm Rumba is danced in a box step pattern that is somewhat similar to waltz, and it has a characteristic "slow, quick, quick" pattern. Many modern Country, Soul and Latin love songs are Rumbas. Popular Rumba songs are "Quando, Quando, Quando" by Michael Buble, "Smooth Operator" by Sade, and Berlin's "Take my Breath Away."
Read more about Rumba on Wikipedia.
East Coast Swing is a happy and playful dance that shares many similarities with Lindy Hop, jive, balboa, and other swing dances. East Coast Swing can be danced to many different types of music, including pop, rock, and country, and it is the perfect style for an upbeat and fun wedding dance! A few East Coast Swing songs include "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon, Taylor Swift's "Opalite," and "P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)" by Michael Jackson.
Read more about Swing on Wikipedia.
Mambo and Salsa share many moves and can both be danced to many of the same songs -- the only difference is that Salsa starts on the "1" beat of a standard 8-count measure, while Mambo starts on the "2." Mambo and Salsa are both fun, flirty dances that are great to learn if you're interested in social or club dancing. Some Mambo/Salsa songs include Bad Bunny's "BAILE INoLVIDABLE", "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega, and "Tequila" by The Champs.
Read more about Salsa on Wikipedia.
Club / Fringe
Nightclub 2-Step is a modern partner dance, developed in California in the 1960s and 70s. It is a relaxed and elegant dance that is commonly danced to mid-tempo ballads in 4/4 time. Some Nightclub 2-Step songs include "You're Still The One" by Shania Twain, Michael Buble's "Home", and "Versace on the Floor" by Bruno Mars.
For an expanded definition of the Nightclub Two Step, visit Wikipedia.
West Coast Swing is a highly improvisational and dynamic swing dance that was derived from Lindy Hop. WCS is characterized by an elastic look that results from its extension-compression technique of partner connection. WCS has become very popular on social media recently -- you may have come across WCS dance competition clips on Instagram. Popular WCS songs are "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles, "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, and "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman.
Read more about West Coast Swing on Wikipedia.
Having strong roots in swing, the Hustle is characterized as a fast, smooth, spot dance wherein the lady spins almost continuously, while her partner leads her back and forth in a “slotted” linear formation. Popularly danced to disco music in the 1970s, Hustle is also danced to the contemporary pop, hip hop, or house music. Some Hustle songs include "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees, "Love is in the Air" by John Paul Young, and "Cold Heart" by Dua Lipa & Elton John.
Read more about Disco/Hustle on Wikipedia.
Bachata is a relaxed, intimate social dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. The basic step involves an eight-count side-to-side movement, with many variations including modern Bachata and sensual Bachata. Some Bachata songs include "Rechazame" by Prince Royce, "Si Tu Carino No Esta" by Anthony Santos, and "Dos Locos" by Monchy & Alexandra
Read More about Bachata on Wikipedia