Dance Styles

Learn to feel the rhythm and energy of Latin Social Dances. In this class you will discover the basics of Salsa and Merengue through a unique and clear teaching technique. You will gain confidence to dance as an individual and with partners. The classes are suitable for people with little or no previous experience.

This is an ongoing/drop in class - no partner is required and even beginners can join any week.

During class we switch partners every couple of minutes. It is a great way to meet other dancers and sharpen your skills.

Salsa is currently one of the most popular Latin dances in the Night Life of St. Petersburg. This dance has Afro-Cuban musical roots, although the cutting edge of development for Salsa music and dance is in the US (NYC and Florida, both areas with large Latin communities). Dance Fusion is pleased to offer classes in one of the major Salsa Dance styles - Los Angeles style Salsa.

As the name implies, the US has spawned its own characteristic style of Salsa, popularized by well known dancers such as Josie Neglia, the Vasque brothers and the Salsa Brava dance troupe. LA style is exciting, elegant and sensual, incorporating suave "shine" footwork. It is one of the most popular Salsa styles around the world today with regular appearances of high profile LA style performers at huge Salsa events like the annual World Salsa Congress & Bacardi Festivals.

Merengue is a simple but extremely "fun partner" dance that was born in the Dominican Republic.

The simple march tempo is easy to hear and feel; it lends itself to a spontaneous, improvisational style of dance. The music is charming and happy, and often contains clever jokes or puns in Spanish. We focus on teaching how to lead and follow by using a lot of variations that will help you improve flexibility, leading and following skills.

For those who are beginners to the world of dance, Merengue is one of the more accessible forms of partner dance.

We teach Merengue the first 30 minutes of each class, then you become more relaxed and easy to learn Salsa.

Pease tell us if you are interested in one of them. That will help us to form a group and open a class in the nearest future.

If you are fascinated about the dance style of the most popular pop stars, this class is for you.

Just in a few months you will gain confidence in club dancing, and learn enough spectacular and stylish moves to burn the dance floor.

• Cha Cha — flirtatious and cheeky
• Rumba — the most sensual
• Samba — the sexiest Brazilian dance
• Jive — lively and fun

These dances will make your moves beautiful, confident and fast. Do not forget, these dances are also a wonderful work out that will make your muscles stronger, increase your endurance and help you gain perfect bearing. Though the dance movements can be challenging, once you get to a certain level you will become queens and kings of the dance floor.

Let your children experience the joy of dance. Dance classes help kids to gain confidence and lay the basis of health. We teach different dance styles and leave time for games. Classes are fun!!! Its friendly and merry climate helps boys and girls to make new friends.

Ballroom dances are one of the most admirable, impressive, elegant and romantic dance styles, and are good training for your body as well. Since ballroom dance music is usually played at social events and weddings, it is always useful to be able to dance Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango, Rumba or Cha-Cha.

Waltz might be the most popular dance of all time, since it is considered the forerunner of popular social dancing.

Its music has a distinctive ONE-two-three tempo. It is a smooth and progressive dance characterized by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and rise and fall.

Examples of Waltz music include A Time For Us (Andy Williams), Come Away With Me (Norah Jones), Suddenly (Tony Bennett).

Foxtrot is a great dance for beginners, as it teaches the novice variety, maneuverability, and how to combine steps easily. Foxtrot is an easy-going, "walk in the park" danced to upbeat big band music. Most pop music is written in four/four timing, which is Foxtrot's rhythm (four beats to a measure of music). The mantra for Foxtrot is the classic dance teacher's phrase: "Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick". Much of our popular music is Foxtrot music, and it's a nice, slow, easy dance during which a couple can even have a pleasant conversation. This is the classic dance for wedding receptions and social events.

Examples of Foxtrot music include Just In Time (Bobby Darrin), Witchcraft (Frank Sinatra), The Best is Yet To Come (Tony Bennett).

Tango is known as the Argentine dance of love. This dance was originated in the bordellos of Buenos Aires, Argentina and is performed in a slightly different manner to the other dances. Tango tells the story of a flirtatious and passionate affair through smooth stalking walks, sensual close encounters, stylized poses and sharp staccato lines.

It is a great dance to learn if you want to impress your friends!