DANCES - Many dances are taught different ways and this is basically how we teach them. Based upon how we've been taught. 

Carolina Shag is a swing dance which originated along the beaches of North Carolina and South Carolina and evolved from the Lindy and Big Apple. Danced in a slot, the count is 1&2, 3&4, 5,6.  Danced to a variety of music it is generally associated with Beach Music, Jump Blues, Smoothies and Rhythm and Blues.  Generally considered a peacock dance where men were able to show their stuff, the women now take a much more active role.  Typical speed is 116 - 128 BPM but can vary higher or lower.

West Coast Swing  is a slotted swing dance which originated in Southern California and evolved from Lindy Hop.  It has an elastic look that results from its basic extension-compression technique of partner. It is known as a dance where the men leads but the women creates or plays.  The count is 1,2, 3&4, 5&6 or 1,2, 3&4, 5,6, 7&8 accenting the 5&6 or 7&8 with "swing anchors."  Typical speed is 112 - 128 BPM but it can go much lower.  Danced to a variety of music Country, Rhythm and Blues, Contemporary Funky and Blues.

East Coast Swing is a quicker swing dance with beats between 142 - 160 BPM but can go much higher.  It has a "rotary" pattern structure. East Coast Swing is generally considered a more simple dance than it's sister swings Shag, West Coast and Lindy.  Different dances styles show different looks for instance Country Western has steps performed in a downward lilt motion while Ballroom looks like a side together side.  It has three main timing groups Single Time, Double Time and Triple Time which is counted 1&2, 3&4, 5,6 or triple, triple, rock. It also has eight count patterns as well.

Night Club 2 a romantic closed position dance.  It's a two rail or four corner pattern dance developed by Buddy Schwimmer and danced at 64-78 BPM. We teach it with a count 1&2, 3&4 or Slow, Quick, Quick or Quick, Quick, Slow whichever way best fits the students.

Cha Cha - created in Cuba by a Cuban violinist called Enrique Jorrin in 1954.  The Cha-cha became hugely popular in the United States as did the mambo in the 1950s.  The count is 1, 2,3,4& accenting the 2,3 with break steps danced at 102 - 116 BPM. Generally a stationary dance with cross slots or four way intersections.

Hustle - The Hustle a Disco dance that is believed to have come from Florida.  It was popular in the Cuban community as a mix of swing and salsa.  There is generally three styles of Hustle a slotted style done in California, a rotating style found in New York and a more "progressive" style which travels.  The count also varies between 1,2 &3, 4,5 &6 or &1,2,3,&4,5,6.