Scottish Country Dancing
Scottish country dancing is a traditional and social form of dance, originated from Scotland. Dances are performed in couple or small groups, danced in organised formations known as ‘sets’.
Tap Dance
Tap dance is best known for the noise of the shoes; the ‘tapping’ on the wooden floor. A variation known as ‘soft tap’ exists, whereby dancers do not wear shoes but strike the floor with their feet to create the rhythm.
Street Dance
Street dance is an umbrella term that describes many Hip Hop and Funk styles to come from the USA from the 1970s. It’s impulsive, interactive and highly energetic. Street dance styles include breakdance, popping, locking, hip-hop party dances and house dance.
Salsa
A discipline that takes inspiration from Cuban dance, cha-cha and mambo, salsa dance is a Latin American dance genre. Salsa is a very social form of dance, where the dance is usually performed in couples or pairs joined at the hands. Usually, one dancer ‘leads’ and the other ‘follows’. Salsa is known for the hip action, where many movements originate from, and the energetic music gives way to varied and exciting routines.
Jazz
A natural development in the history of jazz music, jazz dance first evolved in the early 1900s and took some moves from traditional African dances. The dance form slowly became a defined genre, moving from a ‘street’ style dance to performance. Jazz dance was made popular by choreographer Bob Fosse, arguably best known for his work on the Broadway show Chicago.
Irish dancing
A form that can be divided into social dances and performance dances, Irish dancing was made popular in the 1990s by Michael Flatley’s Riverdance. Despite the rapid foot movements and complex dance routines, the upper body and arms are kept static for a majority of the dance.
Charleston
Fancy something a little different? Why not try a vintage dance fitness workout like Charleston? This quirky dance style will have you kicking and flicking yourself fit and will certainly have you breaking into a sweat. The playful Charleston dance became popular in the 1920’s and is a great way to tone your thighs, waist and arms.
Dancehall
Originally purely a genre of music, the culture, rhythm and energy of dancehall gave way to dance moves. It is considered that many dance moves seen in hip-hop videos are variations of dancehall moves.
Voguing
Voguing is a type of dance where you imiate the charateristics of a model on a catwalk. Just think of Madonna’s vogue video and it’s exactly that!
African Dance
African dance does not have a set specific definition due to the multiple cultures and traditions that it crosses. African dance will differ from region to region. Dance teaches social and behaviour patterns and can also be used as a storytelling device. Many dances are widely participatory where even the audience becomes involved.