Ballroom Dance 101: Beginner-friendly Styles and Classes

• Discover the four dance styles that are great for beginners thanks to their ease of counting, simple footwork and versatility: merengue, rumba, swing and hustle.

• Learn how the Dance Scene makes dance accessible for beginners through introductory classes designed to meet their needs.

• Come for the dance and stay for the community! The Dance Scene offers a welcoming environment for dancers of all levels.

Starting anything new can be scary, but uncertainty grows when you don’t know where to start. Making a birdhouse works best when you know what kind of wood to buy, and you can’t learn to bake before you learn how to turn on the oven. Ballroom dance is no different, but the Dance Scene lowers the barrier to entry by offering beginner classes for students who don’t know a waltz from a salsa.

There are four dance styles that are great for beginners thanks to their ease of counting, relatively simple footwork and versatility on the dance floor. 

Merengue

Originating in the Dominican Republic, merengue starts with a simple two step, similar to a marching pattern. This dance is played at Latin clubs all the time, but it can be danced to a wide variety of styles, from country to pop. This style is great for dancers learning how to hear or keep the beat while still incorporating turns, foot patterns and upper body embellishments. 

Rumba

Once you’re comfortable with merengue and are ready for footwork that’s a little more complex, you can try rumba, a style from Cuba traditionally danced to Latin love music. The basic is a box step, which translates well to other dance styles and allows you to dance to songs with a medium tempo, such as Motown or slower country songs. 

Swing

Swing dancing, which was created by Black Americans in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood alongside the growth of jazz and big band music, is a popular style today that works well with rock ‘n’ roll music’s faster tempo. This style is for dancers ready to try a faster beat, quicker footwork and more time in open holds, in which partners might hold one hand instead of remaining in a two-hand-hold closed frame. 

Hustle

The four-count hustle is the go-to dance for any music with a fast tempo, including today’s hits. It has its roots in New York City’s clubs during the 1970s. With a straight four-count beat, it allows dancers to keep up with the speed without having to worry about intricate footwork.

Intro Classes at the Dance Scene

Merengue, rumba, swing and hustle are always available to learn at the Dance Scene through private lessons, but students who want to take group classes won’t always see one of these options on the schedule. No need to panic – Intro To Ballroom lessons run regularly and cover these four styles and many others. Each six-week series offers an introduction to two or three dance styles. Even when the intro classes are offering foxtrot, cha-cha and other styles, our instructors make each accessible to first-time students. 

In addition, each class is tailored to the students. A class of brand-new students might spend more time on the basic steps than a class of students with six weeks of learning under their belts. Once students feel comfortable in the intro classes or find a few dance styles they really enjoy, they have the option to join the six-week beginner classes that focus on one style.

Start Where You’re At

If you’re interested in ballroom dance, there’s no need to wait to get started. Even students with mobility challenges can enjoy lessons. It’s important to communicate any concerns with the instructor before class starts, so they can modify certain movements when necessary. For students facing more serious mobility challenges, private lessons allow them to work one-on-one with an instructor while remaining cognizant of balance and movement limitations.

Enjoy the Community!

Ballroom dance studios exist to help people learn how to dance; even the most advanced student was once a beginner! People come back for the community as much as the lessons and, at the Dance Scene, new students are welcomed with open arms. Don’t be afraid to get to know other students, attend the events and try new styles – we’re thrilled that you’re here!