HUSTLE
The dance of the disco era. Hustle grew out of New York’s Latin dance clubs in the 1970s, blending mambo and swing into a fast, smooth partner dance full of continuous spins and turns. It still thrives today, danced to disco, funk, and contemporary pop.
WEST COAST SWING
Sleek, smooth, and endlessly creative. Developed in California and named the state’s official dance in 1988, West Coast Swing is danced in a “slot,” a narrow lane on the floor, which gives it a stretchy, linear look. It’s prized for improvisation and musicality, and it fits a remarkable range of music, from blues to today’s pop.
NIGHTCLUB TWO STEP
Romantic, flowing, and made for slow songs. Created in the mid-1960s by a teenage Buddy Schwimmer as a way to dance to the ballads of the day, Night Club Two Step uses gentle side-to-side movement and graceful turns. It fits a huge share of modern pop love songs, which makes it a wonderful choice for a first dance.
SALSA
Lively, playful, and full of turns. Salsa’s roots are in Cuban son and mambo, and the dance took shape in New York City through Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians and dancers in the 1960s and ’70s. Today it’s one of the most popular social dances in the world.
MERENGUE
The national dance of the Dominican Republic, and one of the easiest partner dances to learn. Its steady, marching rhythm and simple step let beginners enjoy the music from their very first lesson.
BACHATA
Born in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s, Bachata is slower and more sensual than salsa, with close connection, rhythmic footwork, and a characteristic tap at the end of each count of four. Modern styles add more turns and body movement, and it’s a favorite at Latin dance socials everywhere.