FAQ

Table of Contents

The Ballroom Breakdown

• International Style

  • International Style Ballroom/Standard (the main difference between Ballroom and Smooth is dancers in the International Ballroom style must maintain the dance frame for the entirety of the dance)

    • Waltz - Slow and elegant dance defined by 3/4 timing and the rise and fall of the dancers

    • Tango - Very dramatic dance with sharp movements mostly danced with bent knees

    • Foxtrot - Smooth gliding action across the floor - jazz or big band music

    • Viennese Waltz - A faster dance set to 3/4 timing that turns around the floor continuously

    • Quickstep - Very energetic dance filled with hops, skips, and fast footwork

  • International Style Latin 

    • Cha Cha - A faster Latin dance with quick foot action and sharp movement

    • Samba - Inspired by the Brazilian dance and "Carnival" - bounce created by knee and ankle action

    • Rumba - Slowest in this style meant to emphasize hip and body action as well as connection with the partner

    • Paso Doble - Dramatic dance inspired by Flamenco dancing, the Matador, etc.

    • Jive - Quickest dance in the style with high kicks, lots of energy and personality

• American Style (also lumped into social dancing)

  • American Smooth

    • Waltz - Slow and elegant dance defined by 3/4 timing and the rise and fall of the dancers

    • Tango - Very dramatic dance with sharp movements mostly danced with bent knees

    • Foxtrot - Smooth gliding action across the floor - jazz or big band music

    • Viennese Waltz - A faster dance set to 3/4 timing 

    • **Peabody**  - Never danced in traditional competitions but similar to a Quickstep or Charleston

  • American Rhythm 

    • Cha Cha - A faster Latin dance with quick foot action and sharp movement

    • Rumba - Faster than it's international counterpart - still focusing on hip and body action or Cuban action

    • Swing (East Coast) - Very energetic, lots of turns and and spins for both partners

    • Bolero - Slowest of the rhythm dances incorporating a graceful rise and fall 

    • Mambo - Fast toe taps, flicks, ticks to accentuate music - danced on the "2"

• Additional Social Dances

  • • Salsa - Very popular social dance with turns, hip action and styling - can be danced on the "1" or "2" 

    • Merengue - One of the easiest Latin dances to learn with recognizable foot-to-foot weight transfers

    • Bachata - Popular Latin social dance with hip action and body movement

    • Argentine Tango - Characterized by the close embrace-hold, foot and leg tricks, as well as an often moody styling

    • Lindy Hop - One of the original swing dances, quick foot action, triple-steps, and often tricks

    • West Coast Swing - Derived from the Lindy Hop but with a more sleek-styling, improvisation and elastic hold

    • etc. (Certainly there are styles that are not listed above but this covers the majority of what you might find on team or at competitions)

Competitive Ballroom Dancing Breakdown

Competitions for individual competitors are broken up into 2 divisions, Syllabus and Open and styles International Ballroom, International Latin, American Rhythm and American Smooth (see above).

The syllabus division is bound by what are known as 'syllabus figures' or the basics for learning each style. These syllabus figures are further broken up into Bronze (beginning), Silver (intermediate), and Gold (advanced) levels. You can see a list of those figures here. All coaches are familiar with this standardization in both International and American styles and should help guide individual competitors to the appropriate steps. 

Age divisions for syllabus are identified by Elementary, Junior High, High School and College. For specific age classifications, talk to your coach. In order to further even the playing field, competitors in syllabus events are required to wear black for the ladies (top and skirt) and black slacks, white shirt, and black tie for the men. 

Within the Syllabus division, there is also a group called Newcomer. As the name indicates, this is an especially good starting place to begin competing as most of your fellow competitors are also fairly new to ballroom dancing. Once you place in the final of an NDCA sanctioned event (if your local that's typically the November and March BYU events as well as Utah Dancesport Championship), you are not allowed to compete in the Newcomer category at any further events. You may still compete in the syllabus events that are not classified as Newcomer. 

1st Half of the Year (through BYU November Dancesport)

• Newcomer - American Cha Cha (all ages)

• Latin Syllabus - Int. Samba (Jr. High) and Int. Rumba (High School)

• Ballroom Syllabus - Int. Waltz (Jr. High) and Int. Quickstep (High School)

2nd Half of the Year (through BYU March Nationals)

• Newcomer - American Swing (all ages)

• American Syllabus - American Foxtrot (all ages)

• Latin Syllabus - Int. Rumba (Jr. High) and Int. Samba (High School)

• Ballroom Syllabus - Int. Quickstep (Jr. High) and Int. Waltz (High School)

Once you and your coaches feel it is appropriate, you will move into what is called the 'Open' category. This is where you will see the costumes, rhinestones, fringe, feathers, colors, tail suits, and latin shirts. In this category, competitors can take more choreographic liberties. If you are competing in an open category, you may not compete in any syllabus category with the same dance style. You can however compete in Rhythm while you are in a syllabus international cha cha or compete International Ballroom while you are in an American Foxtrot. Ask your coach if you have questions.

Pre-Teen (through the 11th birthday), Junior (12th-15th birthday), Youth (16th - 18th birthday), Under 21 and Adult/Amateur (19th birthday or older). There are also Senior categories for those competitors in their 30's.

Furthermore, there are competitive divisions to help further differentiate ability levels in the open category, these include Novice (beginning), Pre-Champ (intermediate), and Championship/Amateur (advanced). Competitions will add these options at their own pleasure. For example, the Novice category is typically only seen in the adult category.

How to Find a Competitive Dance Partner

Sometimes finding a partner can be challenging. Here are some thoughts and resources for you to find someone.

Typically the 'Great Partner Migration" happens in the month following the national championships in March at BYU. Our program, as well as other coaches and studios, have Partner Mixers where dancers can 'try out' different partners and see if their goals, ability levels, and commitments match. Typically, we like ballroom partnerships to last a whole season (so through the following March/April) but of course things come up, people move, etc. So here are a few ways to find those partners if you are still looking:

- Reach out to your teammates: The most convenient partner to work with will probably be someone on your team. Their practice schedule and commitments are most likely to align as well as ability and commitment level. 

- Reach out to someone in the same ballroom program: Our program is growing every year, we have 5 teams this year with more than 80 students participating. Typically dancers in your program will live in close proximity to you and would be therefore easier to coordinate practice schedules, etc.

- Another option is to ask your current coach (private or team coach) to see if they know of any available dancers. If you are a boy, your coach will undoubtedly have 2-3 girls who are looking for a partner so that would be your best bet. If you are a girl looking for a partner, it would be more to see if they have heard from other coaches or programs.

- Start posting on Facebook or other social channels: There are few facebook groups that would be beneficial to reach out to Ballroom Dance at BYU, UT Ballroom Dance Partner Search, Utah Ballroom Partner Search, etc. On those group pages, you will want to look up past posts to see if there is anyone that you would like to partner with. They can also help you get ideas on how to craft your post as well. You'll want your post to look something like this:

"15 year old male looking for Latin, Standard and Smooth syllabus level partner. Dancer is 5'5" currently dancing with Cedar Valley on their JV team. Please reach out if you are interested - Thank You!" (you can add photos or videos of dancing or holding medals/ribbons if you think that will help)

or

"16 year old female looking for Open Smooth partner (willing to try other open categories). Currently dancing with Cedar Valley on their Varsity team, 5'6" without heels. Looking to start right away. Please reach out if you are interested." (you can add photos or videos of dancing or holding medals/ribbons if you think that will help)

- Friends and Family - Ask around!! See if there are people in your community, church, friend, and family groups who would be interested in trying out ballroom dancing. You really never know unless you ask. Perhaps someone tried ballroom in Elementary school, or in middle school, or moved here recently and tried it elsewhere. 

If you've tried all of the above, it may be time to look at one of the following options:

Single Lady Events - As of 2023, Beehive Classic and the Synergy competition offer a single-lady syllabus ladies can dance their age level (or one age level up - similar to regular competition) the Newcomer (CC/S), Syllabus Ballroom (W/Q), Syllabus Latin (S/R) and Syllabus American (F) events. Talk to your coach if you are interested in this option.

Dancing Lead/Follower (Lady/Lady) - Another option you would have as to dance with another lady. One being the follower and the other the leader. This option is available in both syllabus and open styles. Talk to your coach if you are interested in this option.

Competitive FORMATION Dancing

Here in Utah, we have the benefit of an extraordinarily large youth ballroom community. This is thanks in no small part to BYU and UVU alumni building programs into the elementary, middle, and high schools as well as local studios. 

The most challenging and most competitive formation dancing is what are called medleys. Latin and Ballroom medleys are a mix of dance styles and songs that include 3-5 styles (see list above). The national championships for these medleys are held at BYU each year in March - in Utah we call this event Nationals because it is the Amateur National Championship.

The event is broken up into the open categories Pre-teen, Junior and Youth. When there are more than 7 groups competing, the organizers will typically break up the teams after a qualifying event into divisions: division I being the most competitive. 

Teams can consist of 4-8 couples. Junior and Pre-teen teams are not allowed any stones, fringe, feathers, etc. on their costumes

Ballroom Vendor Information (Utah)

DanceWorks: 

(801) 375-4622
 

3228 N. University Ave, Provo


Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Dance Gear:

801-224-3285

585 North 1200 West Orem, Utah 

Mon- Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri. 10-6pm, Sat. 10-5pm

Red Tango DanceSport Supply: (Great local reseller shop)

(801) 225-0106, (801) 471-8716


2774 N 370 E, Provo, UT 84604
 

redtangoballroom.com

Call for Hours of Operation

​

Star Dance Provo: (Great local reseller shop)

Visit www.stardanceprovo.com for hours of operation, location, merchandise, etc. 

801-787-9373

(801) 375-4622
 

3228 N. University Ave, Provo


Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

For open costumes, please reach out to your coaches. There are a variety of resources they are aware of (websites, local dressmakers, Facebook pages, etc.) to support a variety of budgets while still looking competitive. 

PLEASE do not put a down payment on a dress, Latin shirt, or set of tails without first talking with your coach(es). 

Online Retailers

Dance Shopper - This option has some great options and aggregates brands from a variety of brands. They also have men's smooth attire (including jacket and shirt options) and tails.

• Tail Suit Option: https://www.danceshopper.com/mens-tail-suit

• Smooth Suit Option: https://www.danceshopper.com/mens-ballroom-suit-jacket

• Smooth Vests: https://www.danceshopper.com/mens-long-vest

• Latin Dance Shirts: https://www.danceshopper.com/mens-latin-rhythm-dancewear

Dance and Sway

Dance America - Super quality material. Great for all women sizes.

LatinoDancewear - Many of our ladies who were unable to find resell dresses locally have found success with this site (I am fully away it looks like it was made in the late 90's. Please reach out to a coach before you buy a dress on this site. They are well budgeted HOWEVER the wrong stoning type or style can make them look cheap quickly.

Additional FAQ's

Why is it important to tan the body or 'slick' the hair?

Similar to other competitive performance sports (bodybuilding, gymnastics, cheer, etc.) it is helpful for the judges to see tone and definition as the dancers move their bodies. Additionally, there is a great number of harsh lighting typically thrown on the dance floor. Just like in theater, that lighting can at times make the dancers look ghostly or ill. Tidy hair is important so judges can focus more on the movement and technique developed by the dancer. The esthetic of slicked hair developed over time and is similar to a ballet bun or the large bows often seen in chearleading. 

Should I be competing in individual events?

Starting in 2022-23, all students participating in the CVHS ballroom program are required to compete in individual competitions. CVHS will help facilitate basic syllabus routines as well as opportunities to find partners in order to minimize costs for parents. Which events and competitions you compete in will be up to the students, parents and coaches collectively. 

Who can I take private lessons from?

All our CVHS coaches are available for discounted private lessons but time slots fill up quickly. Talk to your coaches for recommendations depending on your experience level, goals, financial situation, etc. There are many additional coaches at varying price levels and experience in the Utah county area - use your coaches to reach out to these individuals.

Why are there two different types of shoes?

Let's break this up into the men's side and the women's side. Women have Latin Shoes/Latin Sandals - which is the same thing just different ways to refer to them. These shoes allow more flexibility in the foot and ankle for dancing proper technique. We typically suggest beginners get this shoe first because it can be used in both. As you get more competitive, you will want to find yourself a Standard Shoe/Ballroom Shoe/Standard Pump. These support the foot entirely, have a more elegant look, support the lady's in some of the steps like heel turns a bit better than the Latin shoes. Additionally, there are Smooth shoes which are a blend of the Latin and Ballroom styles. These shoes allow for flexibility and structure and are acceptable in the American Smooth style because of the variety of movements allowed in this style.

Men are asked as beginners to find themself a traditional Ballroom Shoe/Standard Shoe as a starter dance shoe. These are great if you are just beginning syllabus events. They can come in smooth leather or patent (shiny) leather. Talk to your coaches to find out which is best for you. Men's Latin shoes/Cuban Heels, do have a heel - which can be a different experience for guys. The heel is helpful for a few reasons: foot position and turnout, pitching the dancer higher onto the ball of the foot, and a greater leg action and leg line esthetic. 

What are heel guards? Why are they necessary? Do I need to get leather heel guards?

All lady's shoes need a heel guard in order to compete. These floors are quite expensive and as the heels are used, that small base is slowly filed down and can be very destructive to these floors. Not to mention, heel guards make the shoe last longer since they are cheaper to replace than buying entirely new shoes. 

Heel guards can be plastic or leather. Typically the leather heel guards, when done well, can last for the entire life of the shoe. These are not found in stores so you will need to find someone local that can put them on for you. The plastic ones work fine as well and can be purchased online or in stores. Make sure they are the right size! It can come down to the preference of the dancer sometimes and which they prefer when dancing.