In ballroom and latin dancing, there are two main categories of dances: International and American.
In the International Ballroom style (called “Standard”), there are five dances:
- Waltz
- Tango
- Viennese Waltz
- Foxtrot
- Quickstep
The International Latin style also has five dances:
- Cha Cha
- Samba
- Rumba
- Paso Doble
- Jive
The corresponding American styles are called “Smooth” and “Rhythm”. The Smooth dances are:
- Waltz
- Tango
- Foxtrot
- Viennese Waltz
The Rhythm dances are
- Cha Cha
- Rumba
- Swing
- Bolero
- Mambo
The same dance in different styles (eg, International Rumba vs. American Rumba) will have some similarities and some differences in terms of step patterns, technique, and the music you dance to.
Lastly, there are few dances that aren’t part of competition (sometimes called “club dances”); they include:
- Merengue
- Salsa
- Hustle
- West Coast Swing
