We loved working on Sarah & Jason’s first dance. There is nothing flashy about this couple, but boy is there a lot of substance. Among other things they’re both whip smart, adventurous, and philanthropic. Their rustic wedding at a ranch in Colorado suited them perfectly, and their first dance to I Choose You showed off their athleticism and charm. My only teeny tiny regret? That no one would see Sarah’s crazy beautiful legs under the wedding gown!
Sarah & Jason’s first dance had to have a lift!
Small details can make a huge difference in how a dance looks and feels. Notice how often a seemingly small adjustment changed everything. And since they both took direction wonderfully, their improvement was usually rapid.
Hands on feedback!
Sarah and Jason also ticked all the boxes for a great first dance – start early, practice often, cooperate – and it shows in how polished they look.
[Apologies for the poor quality video, but you can still see how great they did.]
It was another gorgeous night for our second Downtown Memphis Couples Class. We tried to offer something for every mood by starting with simple swing (fun), easing into rumba (sexy), and wrapping it up with waltz (elegant). Adding a few twists and turns made for a little challenge and a lot of fun.
All the participants did a great job, and we found out afterward that we even had a celebrity in our midst. Miss Black Tennessee International Ambassador 2020 now has a new skill in her repertoire!
Special thanks to the Downtown Memphis Commission for allowing us to use the space. They even pressure washed it before our arrival, so everything was spic and span.
And this couple deserves a special shout out because they attended our spring class and came back for more!
Thanks also to Wendy Adams who was cruising downtown with her camera that night and caught some great action shots.
If this looks like fun (you know it does), then be sure to check our New & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
Have you ever seen a couple dancing patterns that no one else seemed to know? Did you wonder if their moves were for real? Or heard someone say they’re full silver and thought, “What the heck are they talking about?” Are there right steps and wrong steps? To answer these (and many other) questions, you need to understand what a ballroom dance syllabus is and how it pertains to you.
What Is a Ballroom Dance Syllabus?
A ballroom dance syllabus is a list of approved steps for a particular level of a dance. The levels are Bronze (beginner), Silver (intermediate), Gold (advanced) and Supreme Gold (the icing on the cake). Some studios and competitions break the categories down even more so students don’t feel overwhelmed. For instance, the first 5 steps in an American style rumba syllabus might be called Beginner Bronze Rumba, Pre-bronze Rumba, or Social Rumba, depending on where you learn them.
Who “Approves” the Steps?
Lots of people actually. There are at least five (5!) major dance organizations that produce syllabi. On top of that, some studios also develop their own. Confused? Don’t worry. Almost everyone recognizes The National Dance Council of America (NDCA) syllabi for American Smooth and Rhythm dances and The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) syllabi for International Standard and Latin dances. Consider them the OG’s of the dancing world. The others will generally include the same patterns (although sometimes with different names), and a few additional steps that can be fun to learn. For example, Dance Vision is a huge online platform that has syllabi and videos for all the major (and quite a few minor) dance styles.
Do I Need to Follow a Ballroom Dance Syllabus?
It depends on what you’re trying to do, but generally, yes. The good news though is that a qualified instructor or coach will be familiar with the appropriate syllabi. They should be able to keep you on track.
As a social dancer there are some commonly accepted practices (see Ballroom Etiquette), but otherwise you aren’t really bound by any formal rules. The most important thing for you is to learn to lead or follow effectively. A syllabus can still act as a useful guide though. If you want to be able to dance anywhere and with anyone, you need to know the generally accepted patterns for your skill level.
If you plan to compete, then you must abide by the rules of each competition. Since competitors and judges come from a variety of backgrounds, many competitions will allow several different syllabi. Be sure to check which ones are allowed. And again, almost everyone recognizes NDCA and ISTD syllabi.
For shows and exhibitions the rules kind of go out the window a bit. Choreographers will sometimes mix patterns from different levels (and even different dances) to add some zing to a performance or challenge a student a bit. This is fine (within reason), so if you’re a beginner and your teacher adds a sit-drop to your studio showcase routine, don’t panic.
Hmm, that penalty judge looks familiar.
A Little Hack for Competition
Instead of trying to memorize every approved pattern of every dance at your level, you may want to familiarize yourself with the restrictions for each category. For example, in all bronze smooth dances (waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz) the feet must close at the end of the pattern, so if you’ve learned some patterns in which the feet don’t close (continuity), then you’ll know not to use them when competing at a bronze level. Easy peasy.
I know they got tired of hearing me say it, but this couple is just so adorable! You can see just by looking at them that they’re sweet and bubbly, so we tried to make Hayley & Max’s first dance just as fun as they are. A mashup of bachata and push-pull swing with a sprinkling of quirky lines did the trick.
Hayley & Max’s First Dance
They looked so gorgeous (but still cute) in gown and tux. Plus she gets extra credit for being able to dance in that dress!
Look at that smile!
You can tell they put in the work by how happy and relaxed they looked while dancing. The biggest difference between a good first dance and a great first dance is practice.
Having fun while preparing for their first dance.
Even when they’re concentrating on picking up the steps, you can see how much fun they’re having, and how much they enjoy working on it together.
It’s all starting to come together.
I included this video of one of the practices after the choreography was complete so that you could see the whole first dance. Notice that we have Hayley wearing a practice skirt so they both can get used to the feel of fabric swishing around their legs.
Hayley & Max’s First Dance
Seeing them happily dancing together while hearing Max speak his vows brings a tear to my eye every time (sniff), but as you can see from these clips, their first dance turned out beautifully.
So, is it what your expected?
I love how Max admits that he expected lessons to be a big waste of time, and then quickly came to enjoy them. They both ended up looking forward to dancing as a way to blow off some steam when wedding planning was too overwhelming.
A beautiful first dance is like a gift for your friends and family.
Your First Dance Dream Team
You’ve put time and effort into preparing an amazing first dance that your friends and family will love and that you will remember forever. Maybe you’ve told everyone you know each fabulous detail, or maybe it’s top secret. Either way, make sure you get the most out of it by communicating ahead of time with a few key professionals.
Wedding Planner
It goes without saying that your wedding planner (or day-of coordinator) will be most effective if they know all the details of your dream wedding, including how you want your first dance to go. A few things to discuss might be:
How much room are you going to need? Some dances (e.g. waltz) cover a lot of ground, while others (e.g. swing) can be done in a smaller space.
Where should people be seated or standing to give everyone a good view?
Are you using any special props (yeah, we do that sometimes), or will other people be involved?
Will you be changing into a different outfit before the dance?
DJ or Bandleader
Obviously your DJ has a lot to do with how smoothly your first dance goes. They will not only play the music, but announce you beforehand and acknowledge you again when you finish. Since many people do some version of the hang-and-sway, the DJ may be in the habit of killing time by starting the music as the couple walks on the floor and/or fading the music early. Both of these practices can ruin your plans, so let them know that you’re doing something special, and keep the following in mind when you do:
Make sure they know you are using an edited version of your song.
Get the final edit to them as soon as possible and make sure that the file name is clear (e.g. Let The Good Times Roll_Suzie & Joe edit) so there’s no mixing it up with the full version.
Tell them not to fade the song in or out, but to let it play as is.
Let them know to start the music either when you signal them or when you are in position.
If you have a band or singer, it’s even trickier. Everything above still applies, but you also have the additional step of making sure that the music they play is the same as what you’ve been practicing to. Talk to the band leader as early as possible and see how they like to handle things. This is what we like to do:
We edit a recorded version of your song to make sense (length, feeling, highlights) for a first dance.
You send the edited version to the band so they can develop a similar arrangement.
They record their live version and send it back to you to practice with.
Photographer
Photographers capture moments. Normally there’s not much going on during a first dance, so they concentrate on details like expressions, the ring, shoes, etc. But your dance isn’t going to be ordinary and you’ll want great shots of every lift, dip, and line. Your photographer can only do that if they know what’s coming. Prepare them by doing these two simple things:
Discuss with them the types of shots you want.
Give them a video of you practicing. This is the best way to make sure they know what to expect and are ready for the highlights.
Videographer
Like photographers, videographers will focus on close shots if there’s no action, so make sure they know that there will be. [If you aren’t using a professional videographer, be sure to share the same information with a trusted friend or relative. And don’t pick someone that is shy, overly polite, or easily distracted. You want someone who’ll be right up there capturing every moment of your amazing first dance.] Again, doing these easy things ahead of time will get you the best results:
If they’re only using one camera, ask them to set it up to capture the whole area you’ll be dancing in. Zoom-ins and other effects can be added post-production.
Give them a copy of the same practice video that you provided for the photographer. This will give them an idea of the best placement for the main camera, and where to position themselves for additional footage if a second one is being used.
Of course, all of this also applies to father-daughter and mother-son dances as well. With a little preparation and good communication, these special moments will be a dream come true, and you’ll be able to enjoy reliving them together for years to come.
Somehow this pair manages to be both elegant and laid back, which made them super fun to work with. Of course, Mamie and Kyle’s first dance turned out beautifully, but what I really love is that you can see how much fun they’re having while they do it.
Looking good and having fun in our first free couples dance class!
Our first free couples dance class in the Downtown Memphis Commission Sunken Mall was a hit! (The decorating plans not so much. Outdoors. Candles. Breezes. Should have seen that coming.) Four intrepid couples came out for some dancing and romancing. We started smooth and sweet with slow lounge, and then kicked it up a notch with some push-pull swing. There were lots of smiles, a few missteps, some pretty good dancing, and no broken toes. I call that a win!
Socially distanced fun for all!
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check ourNew & Eventspage regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
Just exercising common courtesy will go a long way on the dance floor, but there are a few ballroom specific things you might want to know.
Navigating the Floor
First of all, where should you be on the floor? For spot dances (swing, rumba, etc.) it really doesn’t matter. Any open space is fine (*usually). But for travelling dances (waltz, foxtrot, etc.) there is a structure similar to a racetrack. If you aren’t moving at all, stay in the center. Move out a little when you are ready to progress and utilize the periphery when you have the skill to move quickly and navigate effectively. And always keep in mind that the flow is counterclockwise, so you don’t end up going the wrong way on a one-way street. [*Some songs are appropriate for multiple dances, so even if you are doing a spot dance, be aware if others are travelling. In other words, don’t do swing in the foxtrot lane.]
Asking For/Accepting a Dance
It is a convention when at a ballroom event to dance with a variety of partners. This is partly to ensure that everyone has a good time, and partly to improve your own dancing. You can dance with more accomplished partners to elevate your own skills, then pay it back by dancing with the less experienced. If you are part of a group, try to dance with everyone at least once. If you’re on your own, spend some of your dances on the wallflowers. Not only is it kind, but you may find yourself pleasantly surprised by the experience. You don’t need to avoid approaching someone who is clearly part of a couple, but it is generally a good idea to ask their partner if they mind. Most don’t, but it’s better to ask. And if you are the one being asked, say yes unless there is a compelling reason not to. You don’t have to subject yourself to a partner that is known to be handsy or has extreme body odor, but don’t reject someone because they are inexperienced, socially awkward, or not part of your immediate circle. Again, you might be surprised.
After the Dance
Once you have asked someone to dance you should escort them onto the floor and back off again afterward. Simply walking away and leaving someone standing alone on the floor is rude and probably won’t get you many second dances. When the music ends, thank your partner, offer your arm, and return them to their seat. You may be a little less formal with someone you know well and dance with often, but it’s always appropriate to show appreciation for your partner.
Partnership
Always strive to complement your partner. For the leader that means not being rough or trying to force patterns far beyond your partners current capabilities. Making someone look good and feel comfortable is far more effective than showing off every move you know on someone who isn’t ready for them. Being able to assess a partner’s competency is a valuable skill, and dancing at (or slightly above) their level will make them feel accomplished and you look like a good leader.
As for followers, they should follow. It may be tempting to try and anticipate your partner’s next move. It’s also hard to resist “helping” a leader who seems to be struggling. Neither makes you or your partner a better dancer. Also, avoid breaking out things like dramatic styling or advanced syncopations on inexperienced partners. It will confuse and short-circuit them. Instead, concentrate on perfecting the basics and save the frills for someone who can match and appreciate them.
And no matter what, avoid blaming and complaining. Even if you’re right, it won’t make you very popular. It’s far too common (and a particular pet peeve of mine) to hear weak dancers complaining about the perceived inadequacies of their partners. You will always be sought-after and admired if you concentrate on improving your own skill and are generally kind and encouraging to others.
Showing Off
Save the tricks for performances. Full body drops, lifts, and the like have no place in social dancing. That kind of behavior is potentially dangerous, intimidates beginners, and irritates experienced dancers. If you’re truly a good dancer, you don’t need to prove it by slinging someone over your head on a crowded floor.
Collisions
Even the best dancers following all the rules will occasionally bump into one another. So will you. Often it is unclear who bumped into whom. Never try to assign blame. Simply say “excuse me” (or gracefully acknowledge the apology if you where clearly the bumpee) and move on. If you do encounter the rare aggressive (or oblivious) dancer that frequently plows into others, it is best to simply avoid them.
Common (Or Not) Sense
And finally, a few general guidelines that apply whether in a lesson or at a gala. They may seem like common sense, but experience tells me they still bear mentioning.
Don’t eat garlic or onions beforehand (unless everyone does), and don’t convince yourself that you can cover it up with a swig of mouthwash.
Take a shower and wear clean clothes.
Carry gum or mints.
Don’t douse yourself in cologne/perfume.
Put away the cell phone (unless you’re a surgeon or volunteer fireman on call) and pay attention to the people you’re with.
We can reach for the stars we find along the way …
Kendall & Sebastian
reached for the stars,
and caught them!
I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a Disney princess. You know the kind of woman who has her own tiara and isn’t afraid to rock it in public? So you can imagine that Kendall & Sebastian’s first dance on a beautiful summer evening in Court Square was pretty amazing. And since both bride and groom are carriage drivers, the wedding also included a dog and a horse! Who could ask for more?
It takes a lot of hard work (and a little glitter) to go from awkward …
A classic dip was the perfect end to Rachel & Jake’s first dance
So much laughter! That’s what I remember most about this fun couple. But don’t let that fool you. We created a challenging first dance for them, and as you’ll see, they put the work in. Gorgeous!
