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” and is often used for Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances. Its characteristic rise and fall technique and sways gives the dance an oceanic or floating quality. 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 quite unlike any other dance. The basic rhythm is an 8 count Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick-Slow. The music itself leads to excess. It is a dance that is ironically both showy, yet very intimate. 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 “Ballroom” or “American Smooth” dance, traveling around the dancefloor (going around in counterclockwise direction). The graceful, sweeping movements of the modern version make this dance just as popular and useful on the competitive dance floor as it does wherever you find a nice Jazzy tune. Perfect dance choice for your Wedding First Dance. Some popular Foxtrot Songs include Frank Sinatra’s "Fly Me to the Moon", Michael Bublé’s "I Won't Dance," and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" by Paul Anka.
Read more about Foxtrot on Wikipedia.
The Viennese Waltz is a classic dance, with couples rotating around each other as they glide around the ballroom floor. It was first danced by European royalty and is the only dance of that time which is still performed. Popular Viennese song include "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo's "Traitor", And "Love on the Brain" by Rihanna.
The Quickstep is very dynamic with a lot of movement on the dance floor. Elegant and energetic, it often likened to the Foxtrot with dance patterns similar to the Waltz. The brisk, yet, smooth and glamorous tempo of Quickstep can be heard in songs such as "Cheek to Cheek" by Frank Sinatra or "Peroxide Swing" by Michael Bublé.
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. It is a true American dance, developed in the dance studios in the early 50’s as a mid-tempo variant between Rumba (a slow dance) and Mambo (a very fast dance). It is believed to have started as a step in Mambo – a triple step to replace the slow one to accommodate slower musical rhythms. Some Cha Cha songs include 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 danced very slowly and has romantic, flirtatious overtones. The American style version is done in a “Box” pattern to a Slow Quick Quick timing. This dance is the perfect dance style for your wedding dances. The Rumba is a spot dance like most of the Latin dances, which means that it does not travel around the room. 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.
Swing is upbeat and fun. It is a happy and playful dance. East Coast Triple Swing and Single Step Swing tend to be very circular in their movements and work more on a 6-count beat basic. East Coast Swing can be danced to slower, Blues, Rock or Country music. It is the perfect style for an upbeat and fun Wedding Dance! A few 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 Jitterbug/Swing on Wikipedia.
Mambo/Salsa is the Latin equivalent of Swing. The Mambo gained in popularity and in the 1950’s was taught in dance studios, resorts, and nightclubs in New York and Miami. Salsa is a street version of Mambo. Mambo/Salsa is fun and flirty and socially is a great dance to learn if you like Latino music. Some Salsa songs include Bad Bunny's "BAILE INoLVIDABLE", "Mafiosa" by Nathy Peluso, and "Tequila" by The Champs.
Read more about Salsa on Wikipedia.
Club / Fringe
Nightclub 2-Step is also known as “Two Step”. It is frequently danced to mid-tempo ballads in 4/4 time that have a characteristic Quick-Quick-Slow beat. 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 slotted dance derived from Lindy Hop. WCS is characterized by an elastic look that results from its extension-compression technique of partner connection. 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. Popular with Disco music in the seventies, Hustle is danced to the contemporary pop, Hip Hop, or “House” dance music. Popular Hustle dances 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.
Mambo/Salsa is the Latin equivalent of Swing. The Mambo gained in popularity and in the 1950’s was taught in dance studios, resorts, and nightclubs in New York and Miami. Salsa is a street version of Mambo. Mambo/Salsa is fun and flirty and socially is a great dance to learn if you like Latino music. Some Salsa songs include Bad Bunny's "BAILE INoLVIDABLE", "Mafiosa" by Nathy Peluso, and "Tequila" by The Champs.
Read more about Salsa on Wikipedia.
Bachata is a social couple dance with a lead and follow that can be performed in open, semi-closed or closed position. The basic step involves an eight-count side-to-side movement, with many variations and styles that can be added. 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