Intermediate Couples Class “Waltz”

WALTZ – Born in Vienna, this dance was originally considered shockingly immoral because of the closed dance position, as well as the rapid movements. The waltz music of Strauss and Lanner was so popular that by the end of the 1800’s, dances were made up of about three-quarter waltz and one-quarter for all the other dances combined. The waltz came to America around 1835 and was a standard dance in society by the mid 1800’s. Waltz tempos are either fast (known as the “Vienna Waltz”) or slow (known just as “Waltz”, or, occasionally “Slow Waltz”). The word “waltz” comes from the old German word for “to turn, roll or glide”. Although waltz was originally danced to “classical” music, it is now danced in every style of music.