Overview

Course No. 80150

Hey wallflowers: You CAN dance—and we can help. Master the rhythms, solo steps, and partnering techniques of 16 classy, funky, twisty, and sexy social dances with friendly lessons from two stars of the dance competition circuit.

Have you ever watched a performance of talented dancers and wished you could do that? The truth is, good dancers aren’t born; they’re made. You can learn to be a good dancer and enjoy all the benefits it brings: fun, friends, good exercise, travel, and more. In How to Dance, you’ll learn everything you need to know to have a great time out on the dance floor.

In 25 relaxed, easy-to-follow lessons, you’ll learn the rhythm, solo steps, and partnering techniques of 16 popular social dances. From the elegance of the waltz to the hot rhythms of the mambo, you’ll learn it all while having a great time.

Your instructors, professional dancers Rob Glover and Alyssa Lundgren, know what it takes to learn the steps and encourage practice along the way. They teach with clarity and calm demeanor, making each lesson easy to understand. This course covers four basic genres of dance—Latin & rhythm, swing, smooth & ballroom, and country.

Video Lectures

01: Beginning Your Dance Journey

Meet your instructors and learn why they describe dance as a way to engage cognitive and physical function in the social realm. Discover the four main genres you’ll experience in this course.

Duration: 8 min

02: Getting Started with Latin & Rhythm Dance

Explore the history of Latin dance, focusing on movements that lead to the hip action known as Cuban motion.

Duration: 7 min

03: Rumba

Learn about the American version of rumba, exploring the rumba box, rumba rocks, and crossover breaks.

Duration: 34 min

04: Mambo

Master the basics of mambo, including rock steps, switch turns, and partner patterns.

Duration: 28 min

05: Cha-Cha

Discover the defining triple step of the cha-cha and various exciting moves that can be danced by both partners.

Duration: 34 min

06: Salsa

Learn how to dance LA salsa, understanding its circular motion and basic steps.

Duration: 19 min

07: Latin & Rhythm Dance-Along

Join in on a Latin dance party, enjoying the similarities and unique rhythms of the rumba, mambo, cha-cha, and salsa.

Duration: 8 min

08: Getting Started with Swing Dance

Learn the basic rhythm of swing and the main dance elements, including the rock step and triple step.

Duration: 7 min

09: Single-Time Swing

Explore the solo and partner patterns of single-time swing, a simpler version of East Coast swing.

Duration: 20 min

10: East Coast Swing

Discover East Coast swing’s variations on single-time steps, learning to rotate the triple steps.

Duration: 27 min

11: Lindy Hop

Learn the high-energy moves of the Lindy Hop, including rock steps and partner patterns.

Duration: 20 min

12: West Coast Swing

Explore the characteristics of West Coast swing and master essential basics and partner patterns.

Duration: 31 min

13: Hustle

Discover the energetic hustle, blending Latin and swing genres, and learn fun steps to this dance.

Duration: 25 min

14: Swing Dance-Along

Get a front-row seat as instructors perform all five swing dances, highlighting differences and similarities.

Duration: 6 min

15: Getting Started with Smooth & Ballroom Dance

Learn about the history of ballroom dancing and the key figures who helped popularize it.

Duration: 9 min

16: Waltz

Learn waltz box steps, hesitations, and more in this elegant and graceful dance.

Duration: 34 min

17: Foxtrot

Discover the basics of foxtrot and the variations that make this dance uniquely engaging.

Duration: 29 min

18: American Tango

Explore the passionate movements of the American tango and learn various partner techniques.

Duration: 33 min

19: Smooth & Ballroom Dance-Along

Watch performances of waltz, foxtrot, and American tango, integrating steps learned throughout the course.

Duration: 6 min

20: Getting Started with Country Dance

Uncover the history of country music and dance, observing how it evolved throughout the 20th century.

Duration: 8 min

21: Polka

Experience the energetic style of the polka and learn various steps characteristic of this dance.

Duration: 29 min

22: Two-Step

Learn the two-step’s solo techniques and partner patterns in this classic country dance.

Duration: 24 min

23: Nightclub Two-Step

Master the graceful techniques of the nightclub two-step and enjoy its romantic quality.

Duration: 21 min

24: Country Dance-Along

Join your instructors for a fun dance-along session featuring the polka, two-step, and nightclub two-step.

Duration: 7 min

25: Take Your Dancing to the Next Step

Learn techniques to elevate your dancing skills, including joining dance communities and continuing education.

Duration: 5 min