International Standard

International Standard, is characterized by elegant, flowing movements and a close dance hold. Dancers maintain a graceful frame while gliding smoothly across the floor, emphasizing posture, timing, and partner connection. This style includes five dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. Each has its own rhythm and character, but all share a focus on precision, harmony, and classic sophistication.

International Waltz

The International Waltz is known for its elegant rise and fall, continuous movement, and close dance hold. Originating from the traditional Viennese Waltz, this style emphasizes precision and technique, with dancers gliding across the floor in sweeping, rotational patterns. It’s danced in 3/4 time with a strong emphasis on the first beat and features a step-step-close basic. The dancers remain in closed position throughout the dance.

Sample Songs:
“Open Arms” by Journey
“Fascination” by Nat King Cole
“Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones

International Tango

International Tango evolved from its Argentine roots into a highly structured, dramatic ballroom style. Developed in Europe, it is known for its sharp staccato movements, low posture, and powerful, grounded steps. Dancers remain in a closed hold throughout, emphasizing precision, intensity, and clean lines. With a steady 2/4 or 4/4 rhythm, this tango is full of tension, contrast, and passion.

Sample Songs:
“El Tango de Roxanne” by Ewan McGregor & José Feliciano
“Tango Apasionado” by Astor Piazzolla
“Assassin’s Tango” by John Powell

International Viennese Waltz

A regal dance steeped in European tradition, International Viennese Waltz is the original ballroom waltz—fast, flowing, and continuous. Danced in closed position at a brisk 3/4 tempo, couples move in graceful, sweeping rotations that reflect its aristocratic origins. With its elegant turns and constant motion, this style requires excellent posture, timing, and seamless partner coordination.

Sample Songs:
“Potter Waltz” by Patrick Doyle
“Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II
“Once Upon a December” by Deana Carter

International Foxtrot

Harry Fox introduced the Foxtrot into the mainstream in 1913 in his Vaudeville Routine. As “Fox’s Trot” was embraced by the social dancers of the time, it became simply the Foxtrot. Foxtrot is both, beautiful and romantic, yet playful. It is most often danced to any syncopated 4/4 rhythm. Foxtrot is a great dance for beginners; it feels like a stroll in the park…with some rhythm thrown in. The basic beginner rhythm of Foxtrot is Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick. Higher-level patterns are often danced Slow, Quick-Quick.

Sample Songs:

“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
“Let’s Fall in Love” by Diana Krall
“Cheek to Cheek” by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Quickstep

Quickstep is a lively and energetic dance, characterized by a variety of kicks, hops, skips, lock steps and chasses. Foxtrot and quickstep have a common origin. In the twenties many bands played the slow-foxtrot too fast, which gave rise to many complaints. Eventually they developed into two different dances, slow-foxtrot tempo has been slowed down and Quickstep became clearly the fast version of Foxtrot. The Charleston had a lot of influence on the development of Quickstep.