Swing dance is one of the earliest true American dance forms. From the Lindy Hop, known as the grandfather of swing, several subsequent dance styles developed. The majority of swing dances stay in place but rotate in circular motion, with energetic, tight turns. In this lesson, you'll learn the basic rhythm of swing, and the main dance elements-the rock step and the triple step.

The waltz, once known as a "wicked dance" because the partners seem to be in an embrace, is an elegant and graceful dance that moves around the entire dance floor. It was disliked historically by Euro-pean dance masters because it was considered too easy to learn. In this lesson, you'll learn waltz box steps, hesitations, links, and twinkles.

Dance along as your instructors perform all three ballroom dances in sequence-waltz, foxtrot, and American tango. Seeing all three performed together, you'll recognize steps borrowed within the gen-re from one dance style to the next. You'll also learn some of the finer details about leading and following.

The salsa-mixing Cuban mambo with New York jazz-has many local variations. Here, you'll learn how to dance LA salsa, also known as "On 1." While this is a fast dance without a lot of traveling, arm styling and spins add freedom and creativity. You'll discover salsa's circular motion while learning rock steps, spot turns, salsa breaks, twists, and more.

Rumba comes from the Cuban Spanish word rumbo, meaning "party"-and that's exactly what the rumba is. It's a passionate dance that is said to embody important elements of life and love. In this lesson, you'll learn the American version of the dance by exploring the rumba box, rumba rocks, crossover breaks, and more.

Join your instructors as they perform all the country dances you've learned. You'll notice the differences in styles between the polka, two-step, and nightclub two-step, and also pick up some additional pointers on partnering for both the leader and follower.

It is said that the tango is not a dance of the feet, but of the heart. This lesson focuses on the American style, which still evokes the smoldering passion and desire of its creators. You'll learn the solo movements that give tango its characteristic swagger, as well as partner moves such as the curving forward basic, promenade rocking basic, and swivels.

The cha-cha, born in Cuba from the mambo, was one of the most popular dances in the US in the 1950s. Discover how to dance the cha-cha's defining triple step-which differentiates it from the rum-ba and mambo-as well as rock steps, switch turns, crossover breaks, and more. And, both the follower and leader can turn in the cha-cha, making it even more fun to dance and to watch!

West Coast swing developed from the Lindy Hop and was documented on the dance floors of Los An-geles in the 1940s and '50s. The beauty of this version is that it can be smooth or energetic, bluesy or contemporary, and danced to almost any tempo music. Learn the most important solo basics-walks and triple steps-along with the sugar push, underarm turn, sugar tuck, inside roll, and more.

Explore the history of Latin dance-from Spanish and Caribbean immigrants to African slaves, Spanish troubadours, and more. Since most of Latin dance evolved in Cuba, you'll learn the knee movements that lead to the hip action known as Cuban motion. With Cuban motion and closed-change foot action, you're ready to learn the individual Latin dances.