For competitive dancing, the Latin dance styles are grouped into two main categories: American Rhythm and International Latin. The American Rhythm style consists of five dances: Cha-Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, and Mambo. The International Latin style also consists of five dances: Cha-Cha, Rhumba, Jive, Paso Doble, and Samba. When comparing the two styles, the most obvious difference is that they each have some unique dances. However, all the dances in each style do differ from their counterparts, in subtle ways, mostly having to do with technique. You will find competitive events in each style. Socially, the following dances fall under the category of latin and/or rhythm: Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, ChaCha, Rumba, Hustle, Jive, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Bolero, Paso Doble, Samba, Bacchata and Lambada.

There are two main categories when talking about Standard Dancing - The International Standard and American Smooth. The International Standard style includes five dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. This style is danced widely in competitions, both in the United States and throughout the world. The most obvious trait of the International Standard style is the dancers' constant closed position, where the two dance partners never lose contact (as opposed to American Smooth style, where couples often open up, and dance apart from each other). The Standard dances are also characterized by their very precise elements of technique: footwork, rise & fall, amounts of turn, etc. From this technique emerges a unique elegance and beauty. Four of the Standard dances have their American-style counterparts. The American Smooth dances consist of: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz. In the American Smooth style, partners often separate from closed dance position, and dance apart from each other. American Smooth is quite popular at social dances, and is danced at major competition events across the United States. This is an expressive style that can be extremely fun to dance and watch. The following are dances that fall under the category of standard and/or smooth: Foxtrot, Waltz, American Tango, International Tango, Argentine Tango, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Peabody.

Here at Arthur Murray, we have an entire Country Western Syllabus that teaches many of the popular dances. And for those of you who have aspirations of competition, these dances can be found at nearly every event that we attend. The following is a list of dances found in our Country Western Syllabus: Progressive Two Step, Rhythm Two Step, Country Waltz, Country Swing, Polka, Shuffle, Three Step, and others.

The following are miscellaneous dances that are taught at Arthur Murray Phoenix: Polka, Charleston, Social Hip Hop, Foxxy slow dancing, Night club Two Step. If you are interested in learning a specific dance and are not sure whether we teach it or not, please feel free to call or e-mail us at: Phoenix 602-264-4612 dance@arthurmurrayphoenix.com or Scottsdale 480-946-4241 scotsartmurray@aol.com