Mario Moreno MGM Ballroom Dance Gold Certified Instructor

Learn To Dance
Argentine Tango , Bachata, Bolero, Cabaret, Cha Cha , East Coast Swing , Foxtrot, Hustle, Jitterbug , Jive, Lindy Hop, Mambo, Merengue, Night Club 2 Step, Paso Doble, Polka, Quickstep, Rumba, Salsa, Samba, Swing, Society, Tango, Theatre Arts, Two Step, Viennese Waltz, Waltz, West Coast Swing

© Mario G Moreno 2005

Argentine Tango ...
... is characterized by smooth, sensual and seductive moves; with flexed knees and feet gliding in cat like strides the feet skim the floor. Quick stops, leg kicks, lifts, poses, teasing expressions and gestures, quick snaps to lingering embraces are all part of the magnificent drama of the Argentine Tango.

4 beats/measure Recomended 25 - 33 measures/minute.
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Bachata
The Bachata's basic and simple footwork moves in a side to side or forward and back motion. The romantic character of the Bachata is achieved from the sensual hip and body action. The use of flexing knees creates the desired hip movement along Swift turns, playful moves and romantic gesture that characterize this dance. The romantic nature of the music reflects in the dance of love and romance,

4 beats/measure Recomended 25 - 33 measures/minute.
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Bolero ...
... is characterized by long sweeping side steps, which has a gentle rise and fall action. The expanding and contracting dance position and the slow expressive sweeping arm gestures, creates a elegant, tantalizing interplay of the couple. This dance is unique among the rhythm dances and presents a very engaging, romantic and intimate impression.

4 beats/measure; Recomended 22 - 28 measures/minute
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Cabaret ...
... is characterized as story telling dance, combining ballroom, acrobatics as well as many old and modern forms of dance It seems the sky is the limit for the dancers and the outcome is always thrilling and engaging.

All Music Tempos
All dance styles, pantomime, acrobats and including lifts
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Cha Cha ...
... is characterized by its fast, animated and effervescence movements. The dancers weight is forward on the balls of the feet, which creates a flirtatious and fun interplay between partners. It also has the "chase" steps which is a freestyle element that is spontaneous and unique. This dances speed and playful steps makes the Cha Cha a lively and a popular dance.

Cha Cha Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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East Coast Swing ...
... is characterized as a standardized version of the more energetic dances: Lindy Hop and Jitterbug, and retains it's roots with "swing-outs", "breakaways" and "shine-steps". As each generation has "discovered", the East Coast Swing is fun, joyful and is the most unique of the American dances enjoyed worldwide.
"Triple Time Swing"
EC Swing Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Foxtrot ...
... is characterized as a smooth progressive dance with long flowing movements. Its subtle rise & fall action of continuous passing feet moves with rhythmic elegance across the dance floor. It is also popular for its versatility and musical variations that comprise the American style which adds, dancer movements in open-position giving it a "theatrical" quality.
Foxtrot Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Hustle ...
... is characterized as a dance that creatively combines elements of slotted movement, traveling movement, circular and elliptical rotation. Danced to Disco or ( "Hustle") music, which though it's 4/4 time has a unique rhythmic baseline. Hustle is known for intricate and athletic partner work as they hold hands moving in and out from one another performing what appears to be turns inside turns. The dance pulses with high energy and exuberance.

Hustle Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Jitterbug ...
... is characterized as a single time swing dance. In it's day the "World War Two era" it was known as the sibling of the Lindy Hop and introduced swing to the world. This "swing" dance was known for all the high energy, athleticism of the Lindy Hop but it's real variation is it's style where its name describes it best!

4 beats/measure, Recomended 34-36 measures/minute
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Jive ...
... is characterized as a triple time swing and is best known for it's signature bounce steps and very sharp kicks and flicks. It is the "International Style" a version of the "swing", and is danced competitively in the US and all over the world. Danced to faster tempo swing music, it's speed and lively energetic moves make it seem surreal and is exhilarating to watch as well as dance.

4 beats/measure; Recomended 35 - 46 measures/minute
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Lindy Hop ...
... is characterized in many circles as a smoother-looking "swing" dance. But It's name implies it's high flying roots that picked up where Charleston left off. It has "swing-outs", "breakaways" and "shine-steps", all sorts of lifts, flips, throws, and slides. In some circles the tradition of gravity defying moves still remain even today It's really amazing to see it done old style.

4 beats/measure; Recomended 30-36 measures/minute
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Mambo ...
... is characterized by its unique music. It's danced with rolling hip movements and this movement accentuates the music. It's performed in small area, so steps are smaller and the feet have a sharper staccato action, the women is held closer and when in open position arms are bent half way up and kept close to the body. This dance is spirited and lively with a lot of attitude.

4 beats/measure; Recomended 36 - 51 measures/minute
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Merengue ...
... is characterized by it's music a straight Latin rhythm, danced as a "quick, quick, quick, quick;" It is performed with a flexed knee allowing the feet to roll from inside edgeof toe, to ball, to flat of the foot. Depending on the musics speed the hip movement (cuban motion) can be subdued or extreme while the upper body remains calm. This dance is sweet, bubble and frothy as it's "Name Sake". It's cheerful, spontaneous and one of the easiest dances you could learn and dance.
Merengue Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Nightclub Two-Step ...
... is characterized by the slow to moderate tempo of the music. The rhythm of the dance is very simple 1 & 2 count, the pattern is a rock step to 5th position followed by a side step. The upper body sways from side to side and there is no pronounced hip movement. This romantic and attractive dance glides across the dance floor It's a great dance to learn and you will dance it often.

4 beats/measure; Recomended 16 - 22 measures/minute
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Paso Doble ...
... is characterized by its dramatic and theatrical portrayal of the Spanish Matador and His Cape. The Man as the Matador moves proud and aggressive, his back and shoulders upright, his head up and posed sternly. The woman is the matador's cape, her dance is more flowing, with her chest upward head upright, both character facial expressions are serious. Their steps are heel/flat in a marching tempo. This dance is a is a dramatic pantomime of the bullfight and is fascinating to watch.

2 beats/measure; Recomended 58 - 62 measures/minute
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Polka ...
... is characterized by its fast two-step 1 & 2 rhythm, danced side by side and also where the couples embrace then whisk together in one another's arms around the floor. Dancing fast skipping steps with rolling turns at an almost frantic pace. This high spirited dance has joy in every step, making this dance a spectacle, as well as
thrilling to watch and dance!

4 beats/measure, Recomended 60-62 measures/minute
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Quickstep / Peabody ...
... is characterized by it's Basic Rhythm: Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick and most would agree that quickstep is one of the most challenging of all the smooth dances. With a fast walking heel leads then up on the balls of your feet with ever changing combinations of "quicks" and "slows", fast skips and runs, This all requires precision foot work, that match the demanding speed of fast tempo music. This dance Is remarkable to watch and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

4 beats/measure; Recomended 40-50 / 60-62measures/minute
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Rumba ...
... is characterized as the dance of love in which the man "shows off" his partner. as she moves effortlessly maintaining a elegant posture, expressing emotion with sensuous arm gestures and sharing subtle looks between them. The prevalent hip action that comes from flexing the feet and knees giving the dance it's exotic look. This is all part of the romantic exchange of the Rumba.
Rumba Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Salsa...
is characterized by its fast pace rhythm, and the small quick steps. The dancers keep their knees flexed slightly for both speed and hip action. The basics step is considered a quick, quick, slow, as in mambo and rumba, but the action is more like a quick, quick, quick, hold. or flick or kick or scuff of the free foot. Yet the upper body remains still with a slight undulation, caused by the isolation from the hips and feet. This dance is hot, spicy, and passionate.

© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Samba...
is characterized by the tempo of Samba music which is fast but has bounce to the rhythm a 1,a,2; The dance steps exaggerate this character in the music. The movement of the lower body created by straightened leg with the other being a bent knee as the weight changes, which creates the bounce and the pendulum action. These are strong characteristics of the Samba while sways and rotations of the upper body is also added. This dance looks lighthearted, happy and is as joyfull to watch as it is to dance!
Samba Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Swing...
...is characterized as the catch all title for Lindy Hop, Jive, Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, etc. Perhaps the most uniquely American of all the dances. The Swing brings forth a buoyant carefree movement, that becomes contagious. Swing may be danced comfortably over a wide range of tempos.
Single Time Swing is done without the triple steps. usually when the music is too fast to execute them. It also is taught to beginners in order to get them dancing quickly. It's Step, Step, Rock, Step - the rhythms is 1, 2, 3, 4.
Double Time Swing To fast for triple timing to slow for single timing, know it's Tap Step, Tap Step, Rock, Step - the rhythm is - a1, a2, 3, 4
Triple Time Swing The Tempo and your Skill Dictates the Timing - Triple Step, Triple Step Rock, Step - the rhythm is - 1a2, 3a4, 5, 6
Lindy Timing Step, Step, Triple Step, Step, Step, Triple Step - the rhythm is - 12, 3a4, 56, 7a8
No matter what the tempo this dance is infectious and lively

Single Time Swing
Single Time Swing Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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The Society Step / Society Tempo ...
... is characterized as foxtrot done to a music tempo considered to be; "too fast" or "too slow", The reason for this is, no one wants to sit out a dance, or just sway to the music. Others may not feel comfortable doing Quickstep. So "Society Step" or "Society Tempo" allows dancer the option of doing foxtot patterns with all quicks or all slows steps, again depending on the music. So go and have fun and don't be a wall flower again.

4 beats/measure, Recomended 25-40 measures/minute
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Tango ...
... is characterized by a staccato emphasis of the steps created by; flexed knees and long stalking strides as the dancers feet skim the floor. A very powerful dance, with big movements, long angular strides, with turning steps, quick stops, dramatic direction changes, throw outs, emotional gestures, to lingering freezes and quick snaps of the head and body. All are part of enticing interplay of Tango.
Tango Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Theatre Arts ...
.. is characterized by it's amazing and astonishing acrobats linked together with the beauty of dance. The stunning interpretation of the music to dance makes theatre art routines one of the most inspiring combination of old and modern forms of dance requiring strength, balance and grace. The creativity seems unlimited and the outcome is always extraordinary and engaging.

All Music Tempos
All Dance Styles, pantomime, acrobats and Including Lifts
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Texas Two-Step or Country Two-Step ...
... is characterized first by the western music to which couples dance a fast paced traveling steps, a series of two quick steps and two slow steps. It's performed with feet gliding just above the floor, as couples move counter-clockwise around the perimeter of the dance floor. What makes this dance so fascinating is the endless loops and turns the couples can do all while keeping a forward motion around the dance floor, very exciting to watch and dance.

4 beats/measure; Recomended 30-32 measures/minute
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Viennese Waltz ...
... is characterized by it's unique movement in which it seems the dancer's are spinning around one another like a top. As they seem to glide effortlessly around the perimeter of the dance floor. First spinning one direction and then the other. The couples upper body is still unmoving as if statues. When danced well It's charming, grand and effortless in appearance and yet it's one of the most challenging, athletic and invigorating of all the dances.

3 beats/measure; Recomended 60 measures/minute
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Waltz ...
... is characterized by it's rising steps that then lowers and glides, like the waves of the ocean. It moves around the floor and has elements of flowing turns and movements from it's parent the Viennese Waltz. It has also evolved itself into uniquely elegant dance with beautiful closed position moves and also has open position moves such as under arm turns, side by side and shadow position steps making the Waltz a pleasing and captivating dance.
Waltz Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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West Coast Swing ...
... is characterized by it's unique use of a small portion of the floor in which, the dancers move up and down the floor in a "Slot". There is no bounce to this dance and the steps are smooth, on the toes and they seem to glide past one another. Even though both partners use the slot, the lady moves mostly in the slot, while the man moves, from one side to the other clearing the path for the woman to cross. This dance has turns, spins, rhythms and fancy footwork, which allow the dancer a lot of room for individuality. You'll always see something spontaneous, entertaining and surprising when experienced dancers are on the floor.
WC Swing Basic
© Mario G Moreno 2005
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Dance Descriptions Written By Jeri Smith © Jeri Smith 2006
Used By Permission
Tango Dancers Foxtrot Dancers
© Mario G Moreno 2005

introductory special to get started!