Foxtrot Project

should i take all ballroom or just latin ballroom dancing?

i have been dancing ballet for a while and now i am starting ballroom. Should i take all ballroom or just latin?

Public Comments

1. Though it's common to specialize in Europe, that isn't the case except at the top levels in the US, and that after years of dancing them all. I even know some who won't allow students to sign up for Latin/rhythm unless they also take Standard/smooth lessons, because of the cross-training involved. Also, you'll appreciate the Standard/smooth later, and still be dancing them when you're old and gray.
2. Do what you want to do! Give everything a try if you can, and see what you enjoy. Generally, the latins are much sexier, raunchier and flat-out fun, while the ballrooms are more beautiful and graceful (although this varies - a ballroom tango is quite sharp, even if it doesn't always have as much raw emotion as, say, an Argentine tango). You'll probably find that the ballet has more in common with the traditional ballroom dances than the latin ones, but they can all be fun.
3. Ballet is a great background for either style since it gets you balanced and poised. But why choose? Why not do it all? I'm guessing you're on the young side which definitely favors latin (hard to move your hips like that when you get to be my age), but you'll find that what you learn doing one dance will help you with the others, so pick some dances you like and start learning them. As long as you're still having fun, you'll be just fine.