Programs

Studio One has found that students learn more quickly and effectively on a scholastic basis. Your introductory program is the first student level. You will be taught the basic patterns of the most popular dances today. Your instructor will explain how the medal standards are taught and will plan a personalised dance program to fulfil your needs and expectations.

The degree of dancing you will achieve varies depending on your desire, goals, commitment, and interest. After your introductory program the dance levels progress from associates and full medallist programs to Bronze, Silver, and Gold standards. These courses are designed for people like you who desire a fundamental foundation or more advanced training in the social dance styles.

The majority of students who come to Studio One are interested in becoming good social dancers. Our medallist programs will help you achieve that goal. Whether your dancing for more fun and enjoyment out of life, increased self-confidence, meeting people and making new friends, better health and physical benefits, social ease, exercise, to make that special person happy, enjoying and attending more parties, business reasons, acquiring more grace and poise, overcoming shyness, stress relief, stand out on the dance floor, never again saying no to dance invitation, recreation or entertainment, and relaxation our dance instructors will help you achieve it.

Medal Programs

Studio One has developed a highly creative fun and easy way of learning. You start with basic steps and movements, and then match them with the rhythm of the music. Before you know it... you're dancing. Learning to dance with grace, poise, style and control has never been easier.

Types of Programs and Medallist Standards of Studio One:

Dances

Smooth

Foxtrot
The Foxtrot provides a good foundation for all dances and is often called the “first impression” of “get acquainted” dance. It was a vaudeville comedian who in 1913 introduced the trot. It later went on to became the most popular dance and remain a standard to this day for all social dances.

Waltz
The Waltz has its root set in southern Germany some time during the seventeenth century. The popularity grew with the influences of Johan Strauss, though not with out a little controversy. This infamous dance was outlawed by the Vatican for it required that a gentleman place his hand on a ladies waist in public. A most unsavoury act.

Tango
The West Indies is the birth place of this great dance. The Tango moved went on to Argentina where in the hands of the Gauchos it took on a new life. The Tango is considered “The Dancers Dance”. A favourite among all dancers can also be found in many or today’s blockbuster movies such as “Scent of a Woman”, “True Lies” and “The Addams Family” to name but a few.

Viennese Waltz
This dance takes its roots from Central Europe largely based on the Austria dance known as Landler. This controversial dance of the time was popularised in Vienna by the great Waltz masters such as Strauss and was transformed into the faster Viennese Waltz in the Grand Ballrooms of Vienna.

Quick Step
Today’s Ballroom Quickstep when mixed with the Charleston was originally known as the Fast Foxtrot, however when the Fast Foxtrot was slowed down in music tempo, the faster version became known as the 'Quick-Time Foxtrot' or just Quickstep.
The Quickstep evolved in the 1920s from a combination of the Foxtrot, Charleston, Shag, Peabody, and One Step. This dance is English in origin and was standardized in 1927. The Quickstep now is quite separate from the Foxtrot. Unlike the modern Foxtrot, the man often closes his feet, and syncopated steps are regular occurrences as was the case in early Foxtrot. In some ways, the dance patterns are close to the Waltz, but are danced to 4/4 time rather than 3/4 time.

This dance gradually evolved into a very dynamic one with a lot of movement on the dance floor, with many advanced patterns including hops, runs, quick steps with a lot of momentum, and rotation. The tempo of quickstep dance is rather brisk as it was developed to ragtime era jazz music which is very fast paced comparative to other dance music.

Latin

The Rumba
The Rumba also commonly referred to as the mother dance, is the foundation for almost all other Latin dances including Cha Cha Cha, Salsa, Mambo, etc. Rumba music general descends form African and Spanish origins.

Salsa / Mambo
In the 1940s the world became fascinated with the rhythms of Latin American. The Salsa\Mambo combined Jazz with the Afro-Cuban beat. The love of this dance never really went away and has been revived a number of times over the years and is always the #1 choice of most Latin dancers. It is almost impossible to go anywhere that plays Latin music and not hear the hip moving sounds of the Salsa and Mambo. The Salsa\Mambo is an exciting and challenging dance for all dancers.

Cha Cha Cha
This uniquely Latin dance originates from the Dominican Republic. Originally known as the triple mambo, this dance takes its name form the sound of the ladies shoes when shuffling across the floor in this playful and fun dance. This upbeat and energetic dance is characterised by its free flowing nature and abundance of hip movement.

Samba
This national dance of Brazil became the rage of its society in the 1930s but began as an exhibition dance in Paris in 1905. Movie star, singer Carmen Miranda, is credited with making the dance popular in the in the early 1940s.

East Coast Swing
Thos uniquely American dance can be found in numerous forms including West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Jive and Jitterbug to name but a few. During the mid 1930’s the dance soared to popularity and remains to this day one of the most popular of all dances world over. This high energy, High tempo dance can be characterised by its up tempo yet fun and relaxed style.

Bolero
The Bolero combines controlled movement with dramatic expressions of the music. This is the slowest of the Latin dances and is a very passionate dance. The Bolero originated from Cuban and is likely to have been influenced by Spanish Folk Dances.

Merengue
There are two schools of thought as to how this captivating dance began. Some say it started as a peasant dance in the Dominican Republic by African Slaves. Others say a returning war hero. General Maringie danced dragging an injured leg. Whatever its origin, today’s exciting rhythm of the Merengue inspires dancers all over the world to move to its intoxicating beat.

Hustle
Nite clubs with high quality sound systems, and flashing lights became a popular worldwide in the late 1960s and throughout the70s. During this time a new dance craze became popular on the crowded dance floors of New York. The Hustle marked a return to popular dances where couples danced touching each other.