American Smooth
American Smooth is a style of ballroom dance that emphasizes elegance, fluidity, and freedom of movement. Unlike its International counterpart, American Smooth allows dancers to break from the traditional closed position, enabling open holds, dramatic spins, and expressive choreography. It includes four dances: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz, each danced with an emphasis on smooth, sweeping movements and graceful transitions. The dance style is known for its storytelling, where the connection between partners is highlighted through sweeping turns, dips, and lifts.
American Waltz
American Smooth Waltz shares the same romantic quality and 3/4 timing as its International cousin but allows for more expressive movement and open dance positions. Developed in the United States, this style blends classic waltz technique with freedom—dancers can break frame for dramatic lines, spins, and creative choreography. Like all waltzes, it follows the step-step-close basic with a rise and fall motion.
Sample Songs:
“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
“She” by Elvis Costello
“Moon River” by Audrey Hepburn
American Tango
Smooth Tango fuses the flair of Argentine roots with the elegance of American ballroom technique. It maintains the dance’s signature drama and stylized shapes but allows dancers to break away from closed hold, using open positions and sweeping, theatrical movements. Characterized by sharp direction changes and expressive storytelling, Smooth Tango brings a modern, cinematic twist to a timeless classic.
Sample Songs:
“Sway” by Michael Bublé
“Dance Again” by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull
“Una Musica Brutal” by Gotan Project
American Foxtrot
International Rumba is the most sensual and controlled of the Latin ballroom dances, often referred to as the “dance of love.” It evolved from its Cuban roots into a slow, elegant, and highly expressive style, showcasing deep connection and emotional storytelling between partners. Danced to a slow tempo with precise, deliberate movements, it emphasizes the delay of weight transfer and strong Cuban Motion. Every step is performed with intention, making even the smallest movement feel dramatic and intimate.
Sample Songs:
“Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” by Doris Day
“I'm Yours” by Jason Mraz
“She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5
American Viennese Waltz
Smooth Viennese Waltz brings a cinematic flair to the classic style, blending the speed and grace of traditional waltz with the expressive freedom of American Smooth. Dancers can break frame, use open positions, and incorporate dramatic lines and dips, making it both elegant and emotionally engaging. While still danced in 3/4 time, the choreography is often more varied and theatrical.
Sample Songs:
“Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson
“A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” by Lily James
“My Favorite Things” by Kelly Clarkson