Dear Coach,

I am just one of hundreds of dancers and dance students who are curious about the difference between International and American Style Ballroom Dance.  I have asked many dancers, most of whom I considered to be experienced dancers, at various ballroom events, what style of dance they were doing, because I was curious about the different dance styles that I was viewing.  Many times the answer was vague and very confusing since many dancers said they were dancing International Ballroom.  To be honest with you they looked like other dancers who said they were doing American Style.  I don’t get it.  Can you explain to me the difference between American and International Style ballroom dance?

Signed, I Don’t Get It.

Dear I Don’t Get It,

Neither do I.  However, there is a distinct difference in the style and technique between International and American Style Ballroom dance.  Your question cannot be answered in one article so I have decided to do a series of articles on this subject.  The series will begin next month and continue until all Ballroom dances are covered.  The most important part for you to remember is that all dances are related in one form or the other and have evolved from another dance.  That is why many foot positions in ballroom have the same name as Ballet, many turns in Mambo (Salsa) are the same as in Swing, International Rumba, etc., etc., etc.  Most of the steps in both styles are identical.  Of course they have different names to confuse the novice and add to the mystery for many reasons.  The biggest reason is to create something different that sells dance classes.  After all dance schools are in the business to make money, either from individual students or through government or private grants.  Although many dance teachers say they do it for the love of it, we still have to eat and pay our bills.  US West and PGE will not provide us with telephones and electricity just for the love of it, nor do grocery stores give us free food.

Now considering all that, my personal philosophy is to provide the best dance instruction to a novice social dancer, just as I would a performer or professional competitor because I believe it is just as easy to learn proper footwork and technique as it is to learn improper footwork and technique.  I further believe it is my responsibility as a professional instructor to educate my students on ballroom etiquette and to enlighten them as to the best method of receiving a quality dance education at the most reasonable price possible, not just steps and patterns.  Furthermore if I succeed at doing this, word of mouth advertising and my professional reputation will take care of the rest.

In a subsequent article of Ask the Coach we will examine and compare Fox Trot to Waltz to Quickstep, both in American and International styles, and dispel many of the myths and misconceptions created by some over-zealous advertising techniques and elated egos.