Hello Everyone!

I have taken ballet, tap, jazz, and modern lessons for about 13 years, but I am faced with a new challenge now. In order to increase ticket sales for our company, we must choreograph ballroom dances for us and a well known member of the community.

I was given the waltz, and I have never taken any form of ballroom dancing in my life. If anyone has any particular favorite/easy music they would like to recommend, I would be very grateful.

Also if you know of a good way to help me quickly learn some steps or something (I don't know what to choreograph for this because I've never studied it).

One last thought, I don't know what is custom to wear for a Waltz, shoes, clothes (for men and women), hair.

Thanks for any help!

You'd probably be better off renting a dance instruction video from netflix. They have lots of waltz videos.

Just be careful that if you rent more than one, that they are the same style. There is International Standard Waltz and American Smooth waltz. I'm going to assume you want the American smooth? (Tends to be easier at a beginner level) AS well, with a video you have the visual instructions for both man and lady and a mini-routine they create for you on the video.

Seeing as how you have never done ballroom and you have to learn and teach it in an incredibly short time, it make look quite a bit less than spectacular. But you've got to work with what you've got.

Some people may direct you to the "Learn the dances" section, which is fine if you have at least some knowledge of ballroom. Otherwise, all those clips in segments will be extremely difficult for you to connect together properly.

Hope this was helpful.

heyy i am new to this and need help. i want to know where to just ask questions about everyday dancing stuff???

Hi, I'm a amateur ballroom dancer. If you ask me, I love Moon River as slow waltz music. It's really slow and pretty easy to follow.
But as beginner you should use Luca's Waltz which is easier. Ok? Good luck.

Personally, I think this was a bizarre request to make. Ballroom dancing is not easy (contrary to popular belief), nor can a rank beginner learn, teach and choreograph a routine. Find a pro who specializes in wedding dances to work up some simple routine for you and your partner. Your jazz, tap etc. will not help you in this case. As to costumes, a light floaty dress with lots of leg room is good. For the man, dress pants, shirt, tie and vest, if he has one, is good. Waltz is a difficult dance to do right. Can you switch with someone else and get a latin dance? I hope whoever thought up such a stupid idea is going to learn, teach and dance in front of an audience.

Sadly, I agree.
It can be a bit insulting to ballroom dancers who have worked so hard for years to have people think they can come in and learn it in a snap.

But what can you do? That's why I think in this case it'd be easier to just get a video - as all the advice given here would never be understood and used properly.

Of course a video will still leave you plodding around the floor, but that's better than the alternative of absolute chaos and confusion!

From a dance coach... this is the best advice.. go to a Prof... 3 / 4 basic variations are really all you need for the purpose at hand.. One minute in duration ( it will seem like an hr ! ).

Box step... Under arm turn... Twinkle and Progressive forward changes .

Find an up tempo Amer. syle waltz.. 32 / 34 BPM.

Thank you all for your help so far. I agree that this is a ridiculous task, and that ballroom dancing is by no means easy.

For the dress, should I use a floor length formal gown, or should I look for some other kind of dress with leg room?

A formal dress looks lovely but be careful of the length. Test it out first, can you dance backward without stepping on it? Also, will your heel get caught in the hem when you lift your foot? The best length is around or slightly above your ankles. Are you going to buy dance shoes? If not, don't wear anything with a slingback heel or a mule. It is impossible to go backward in those shoes. Heels should not be too high - 2 to 2 1/2 inches is best for stability. If you hair is long, tie it back or put it in a bun so it doesn't fling around your face and get stuck on your lipstick. False eyelashes look good and some sparkly eye shadow. Jewelry that sparkles is a good choice.

Also a point, I tend not to be the one who steps on my dress, but my partner does during heel leads. Make sure he is as comfortable with your dress as you are.

This is an enormous undertaking. Maybe you should do what they do on Dancing with the Stars and not really attempt the mechanics (because there is no way you are going to be able to dance them properly) and throw in a bunch of flash and lifts to hide what you don't know, AND get a pro to help you. Yes its expensive but if you get one who is good at choreography he can hide your deficiencies.

Wow!! Would not want to be in your shoes. I'm afraid I would refuse to try and learn something like this and perform it in front of people.