Grand Slam competition — where artistry meets athleticism
Welcome to the world of competitive ballroom dance — one of the most elegant and technically demanding art forms on earth.
This guide explores the two premier international disciplines recognised by the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) and the World Dance Council (WDC):
International Standard and International Latin, each comprising five distinct dances.
Whether you are a curious beginner stepping onto the floor for the first time or an aspiring competitor aiming for the national stage,
you will find everything you need here — from the sweeping romance of the Waltz to the explosive energy of the Jive.
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Explore by Discipline
The Ten Competition Dances
Five Standard dances defined by closed hold and flowing movement, and five Latin dances driven by Cuban hip action and expressive open choreography.
♩ 28–30 BPM · ¾ time
Waltz
Vienna, Austria · 18th Century
The foundation of all Standard dances. Flowing rise-and-fall movement, sweeping rotation, and romantic grace across the ballroom floor.
Rise & FallRomanticSlow
♩♩ 50–52 BPM · 4/4 time
Tango
Buenos Aires · Late 19th Century
Sharp, staccato, and dramatic. No rise and fall — instead defined by stalking footwork, abrupt head snaps, and fierce intensity.
StaccatoDramaticSharp
♩♩ 56–60 BPM · ¾ time
Viennese Waltz
Vienna, Austria · 19th Century
The original waltz at double speed. Continuous natural and reverse turns sweep rapidly around the floor with restrained, precise footwork.
RotationFastClassic
♩♩♩ 112–120 BPM · 4/4 time
Foxtrot
United States · 1914
Long, gliding strides and smooth, seamless elegance. Often called the most difficult Standard dance to truly master — pure refinement in motion.
GlidingElegantRefined
♩♩♩ 50–54 BPM · 4/4 time
Quickstep
United Kingdom · 1920s
Fast, light footwork with syncopations, chassés, and hops. Joyful and exhilarating — it races around the ballroom with infectious energy.
FastJoyfulSyncopation
♩♩♩ 50–52 BPM · 2/4 time
Samba
Brazil · Early 20th Century
The carnival dance of Brazil. Joyful and energetic with a distinctive bouncing action, samba walks, and vibrant syncopated rhythms.
BounceCarnivalSyncopated
♩♩ 30–34 BPM · 4/4 time
Cha-Cha
Cuba · 1950s
Playful, flirtatious, and fun. The signature "cha-cha-cha" triple step on beats 4-and-1 gives it an infectious, irresistible quality.
PlayfulTriple StepCuban Hip
♩ 25–27 BPM · 4/4 time
Rumba
Cuba · Early 20th Century
The dance of love. The slowest Latin dance — sensual hip movement, prolonged weight transfers, and deep intimacy between partners.
SensualHip ActionSlow
♩♩ 60–62 BPM · 2/4 time
Paso Doble
Spain · Early 20th Century
The Spanish bullfight in dance form. The lead portrays a matador, the follower the cape — proud, dramatic, and utterly theatrical.
DramaticSpanishTheatrical
♩♩♩ 176–208 BPM · 4/4 time
Jive
United States · 1940s
Always danced last — the ultimate stamina test. Explosive kicks, flicks, and swing content demand boundless energy and athleticism.
EnergeticKicksSwing
Weekly Programme
Course Schedule
Our structured curriculum guides dancers from their very first steps through to open-level competition preparation.
Class
Day & Time
Level
Discipline
Focus
Duration
Foundations of Standard
Monday · 6:00 PM
Newcomer
International Standard
Hold, footwork basics, Waltz basic figure
90 min
Latin Fundamentals
Tuesday · 6:30 PM
Newcomer
International Latin
Cuban hip motion, Cha-Cha & Rumba basics
90 min
Bronze Standard Workshop
Wednesday · 7:00 PM
Bronze
International Standard
Waltz, Tango & Foxtrot syllabus figures
2 hrs
Bronze Latin Workshop
Thursday · 7:00 PM
Bronze
International Latin
Samba, Cha-Cha & Rumba syllabus
2 hrs
Silver Technique Lab
Friday · 7:30 PM
Silver
Standard & Latin
Body action, musicality & partnering refinement
2 hrs
Gold & Open Training
Saturday · 10:00 AM
Gold / Open
Standard & Latin
Open choreography, competition preparation
3 hrs
Mock Competition Day
Last Sunday of month
All Levels
Standard & Latin
Adjudicated heats, floor craft & feedback
Full day
On the Competitive Floor
Competition Categories
Competitors advance through defined syllabus levels before reaching the Open division — where all choreography is entirely unrestricted.
Newcomer
Very basic figures only.
Bronze
Core figures & technique.
Silver
More complex patterns.
Gold
Near-open complexity.
Open / Pre-Champ
Full choreographic freedom.
Championship
National & world level.
01International StandardWDSF / WDC
▲
Strict closed hold throughout — no breaking apart permitted at Open level. Defined by sweeping ballroom lines, continuous rise and fall, and elegant floor craft travelling the line of dance. Ladies wear long gowns; men wear tailcoat.
Waltz
Tango
Viennese Waltz
Foxtrot
Quickstep
Hold
Closed throughout
Dress
Long gown · Tailcoat
Travel
Line of dance (LOD)
Technique
Rise & fall, sway, contra body
Dance Breakdown
Waltz
28–30 BPM · ¾ time
Flowing rise & fall, sweeping rotation. The emotional heart of Standard.
Tango
50–52 BPM · 4/4 time
Sharp and staccato — no rise & fall. Stalking footwork and dramatic head snaps.
Viennese Waltz
56–60 BPM · ¾ time
Continuous natural & reverse turns at double waltz speed.
Foxtrot
112–120 BPM · 4/4 time
Long gliding strides. Often considered the hardest Standard dance to master.
Quickstep
50–54 BPM · 4/4 time
Fast light feet, syncopations, hops and chassés at exhilarating speed.
02International LatinWDSF / WDC
▲
Dynamic, sensual, and athletically demanding. Cuban hip motion — generated by straightening the knee into a settled hip — drives every Latin dance. Jive is always performed last. Costumes are short and designed to showcase hip and leg action.
Samba
Cha-Cha
Rumba
Paso Doble
Jive
Hold
Open & closed mixed
Dress
Short costume · Fitted suit
Hip Action
Cuban motion throughout
Technique
Straight leg, settled hip
Dance Breakdown
Samba
50–52 BPM · 2/4 time
Carnival spirit — distinctive bounce action and volta patterns.
Cha-Cha
30–34 BPM · 4/4 time
Playful "cha-cha-cha" triple step on beats 4-and-1. Flirtatious energy.
Rumba
25–27 BPM · 4/4 time
The dance of love. Slow, sensual, and deeply intimate.
Paso Doble
60–62 BPM · 2/4 time
Matador and cape — the Spanish bullfight in dance form.
Jive
176–208 BPM · 4/4 time
The finale dance. Explosive kicks & flicks demand peak stamina.
Watch & Learn
Dance Style Bronze
All ten dances at Bronze level — five International Standard and five International Latin. Each video demonstrates the full dance routine.
