Ballroom Dancing in W.A.

My husband and I have taken up Ballroom Dancing lessons again after a rather long break. We were always purely social dancers before, but this time we want to learn to do things properly! We are really enjoying our return to dancing. We are now in level 4 for Latin, Standard and New Vogue. Check our results if you are interested.

In Australia, there are 3 styles of ballroom dancing:

• Modern (also known as Standard). These dances are Modern Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz and Slow Rhythm.
• Latin American. These are the real fun ones: Jive, Cha cha, Samba, Rumba and Paso Doble.
• New Vogue. This is apparently a purely Australian (and New Zealand) phenomenon. These are sequence dances with set steps (see the DanceSport Australia page below for more detail). They are usually done to the rhythm of the waltz, foxtrot, march time or tango, and occasionally the quickstep. There are many of these dances currently done in competition, including Merrilyn, Gypsy Tap, Evening Three Step, Charmaine, Carousel, Tangoette, La Bomba and Barclay Blues. I know quite a few of these now.

The first two styles are danced in most ballroom dancing countries around the world. Some competitions are 'Ten Dance' competitions in which all five Latin and the 5 main Modern dances (except Slow Rhythm) must be performed.

Junior Standard, Melbourne 2002
Sean & Katie

Now a little about competition grades in Australia. There are 4 'official' age categories:

• Juvenile - for children 12 years old and under. This category has restrictions on the clothes the youngsters can wear and the steps they can use in competition.
• Junior - for the 13 to 15 year olds. Only Level 1 has step and dress restrictions.
• Youth - for those over 15 and under 19. For many competitions these couples dance with the Adults.
• Adult - for anyone over 15. Again, there are only step and dress restrictions for Level 1.
• Masters I - for the over 35s. This is for those who feel they can't quite compete with those young energetic 18 year olds any more! We dance in this category.
• Masters II - for the over 50s. This age division is often combined with Masters I.

Open Juvenile Latin
Glen & Megan

Within these age categories, there are different grades of dancers.

• Level 1 This is the beginner grade. Everyone starts here. One dance in each style is danced.
• Level 2 This is the next grade up, and two dances are danced in each style.
• Level 3 They are getting pretty good by now. The juveniles still do 2 dances, but the other ages do three dances.
• Level 4 This is the highest grade for Juvenile and Junior competitors. Competitors usually do 4 dances in a style, except the Juveniles, who do 3. Watch out, they are pretty darn good!
• Level 5 This is for the cream of the crop of the Adult and Masters dancers. Usually 5 dances are required. Lots of hard work is required to get here, and to stay at the top. State and National representatives will come from this grade.

Couples elevate to higher grades by collecting elevation points. A championship win is worth two elevation points while other competition wins are worth one elevation point. Five points are required to elevate to the next level.

It is normal to elevate in the styles at different times. This means that you could have a couple who are level 3 in Latin, level 2 in New Vogue and still level 1 in Modern.

There is also (in W.A. at least) an unofficial age group for the real youngsters: Sub-juvenile. This is for the dancers who are 9 years and under. This category has only two grades: Beginner (for those who have not won a competition in that style) and non-beginner. These competitors usually enter both the sub-juvenile and juvenile categories. This gives the littlies an opportunity to get some sashes and/or trophies fairly early on so they don't become too disheartened. It can be tough for 6 year olds up against 12 year olds in juvenile level 1. It also gives the littlies a bit more dance practice.

Junior Latin.
Andrew & Natalie, Sean & Katie

Links

Thanks to Anna (Online Danceline) for some of the photographs.

Email me with comments or questions.

Masters Level 3 Standard Martin & Dianne	Masters Level 4 New Vogue Martin & Dianne