Learn Latin Dancing in Parramatta at Arthur Murray

Rumba is a dance of Cuban origin and is characterised by its sensual and romantic feel which defines it as the dance of love. Watching Rumba dancers, you will see the hips play an important part in a variety of quick and slow movements. No matter what your taste in music, there is a style of Rumba dance that fits your favourite tunes!

Also known as “Cha Cha Cha”, this style of dancing became popular in the U.S. in the 1950s. The basics of Cha Cha consist of a rock step and a chasse step, which is a triple step pattern that goes step-together-step. The chasse step in Cha Cha makes the dance look more intricate, sharp and stylish. Similar to other Latin dances, in Cha Cha, dancers keep their feet close to the floor and let their hips move freely throughout.

In Brazil, Samba is mostly danced solo and remains especially popular during celebrations of Carnival. Much like solo Samba dancing, partnered ballroom-style Samba has a quick beat that requires fast footwork. Over the years the Samba has incorporated elaborate tricks, turns and acrobatic feats into its basic set of figures, presenting even more of a challenge to dancers looking to perfect these rocking motions and rapid steps.

Learn the Mambo and shake things up! The Mambo is a passionate, flirtatious, and sexy Latin dance whose name means “shake it” — and that’s just what Mambo dancers do. The Mambo is very free and fluid, but that doesn’t make the Mambo simple! It also includes foot patterns that are very complex. An exaggerated hip movement defines this dance, along with long, flowing forward and backward movements, sharp, quick steps, rock and side steps, points, kicks and flicks of the feet.

Jive is a high-energy dance that started in the United States in the 1940s, taking inspiration from dances such as the Boogie, Rock & Roll, African/American Swing, the Jitterbug and the Lindy Hop. As with all our dance classes, Jive dance is a fantastic way to build your fitness, tone your body and build your confidence! You’ll also get the chance to socialize as you partner with new people to show off your fancy footwork.

Meaning “double step” in Spanish, this ballroom dance for couples is set to Spanish march music that is reminiscent of a bullfight in the heart of Spain. It is a dance of preparation for battle and triumph in combat, just like the bullfights that inspired it. The male represents the matador, boldly and proudly entering the ring. The female represents the matador’s cape, which he whips around with graceful elegance. The Paso Doble is lively and dramatic, challenging even advanced dancers with long sweeping steps and aggressive movements.

The Bolero is a close cousin of the Rumba, sharing the same footwork timing and many similar figures. And like the Rumba, the Bolero is often called a dance of love. Slow, graceful, and romantic movements are enhanced by romantic music. In fact, the Bolero is the slowest of the rhythm dances, with a music tempo of only 96 beats per minute. Long, sweeping steps to the side are followed by quick rock-steps that are somewhat like a Nightclub Two-Step.

The Hustle is a fast-paced dance that originated in disco dance clubs in the 1970s. Made even more popular by the movie “Saturday Night Fever”, the Hustle kept evolving into what we dance today: a fun, energetic dance that’s characterised by fast-moving patterns and multiple turns. And while it might still be primarily associated with Disco, the Hustle can be danced to multiple contemporary tunes!