Posted on

Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #4

Come on in and pull up a chair near the DJ, because this is the ‘music remixed’ edition! After all, who doesn’t wish they could dance the moves they know best to the music they love most? Thanks to the increasing number of ballroom disk jockeys out there, there’s a ballroom version of almost anything.

I’ve scoured the web and my library for some of the best ballroom remixes out there, so click that play button and start rocking to these modern tunes! Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #4"

Posted on

Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #3

I have a confession to make. I love music.

I mean, I really, REALLY love it. My taste for music includes everything from Enya to Eminem. My total iTunes song count numbers in the tens of thousands. I could play music non-stop for a month and never play the same song twice.

This unfortunately causes me to overlook some of the dustier gems in my collection, until I rediscover them years later. This then is my (mostly) forgotten tracks edition - the ones I don’t play nearly enough. Give them some love for me! Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #3"

Posted on

Ballroom Dancing Songs – Ian’s Pick #2

Click here for part one

What dancer isn’t looking for new music to dance to, right? Even if you prefer the same classics over and over, the reality is the musical landscape is always evolving, both socially and competitively. The dancer who doesn’t adapt to different music is a dancer quickly left behind.

This time, I’ve included TWELVE of my favourite dance songs, each focusing on a different style of ballroom. Give them a listen, and enjoy! Continue reading "Ballroom Dancing Songs – Ian’s Pick #2"

Posted on

Ballroom Dancing Songs – Ian’s Pick #1

While we all have our own reasons for getting into ballroom dance, odds are it has to do with a love of music. Ballroom dancing songs come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own dancing style to match, so virtually anyone can find what they're looking for.

If you're like me however, a time comes when you want something beyond the tired favourites played at every social. And so, the search for ever more awesome ballroom dancing songs begin. Continue reading "Ballroom Dancing Songs – Ian’s Pick #1"

Posted on

3 Ways Slow Dancing Helps With Fast Dancing

We get it - it’s fun to dance fast. When you watch performers cutting a rug dancing salsa, or rocking out to a jive, it seems the ones who catch the eye are those who can pull out the most crazy moves in the shortest amount of time. And don’t get me wrong, those are often the best dancers. What they don’t show you however, is how many hours they spent dancing each step. Much. More. Slowly. Because as it happens, there’s a lot that slow dancing can teach you about dancing fast. Continue reading "3 Ways Slow Dancing Helps With Fast Dancing"

Posted on

Ballroom Dance Wear: A Comprehensive List

When we first get started learning a new skill - woodworking, for example - we start with only the basic tools. After all, why buy an entire workshop when you still can’t make a shelf properly? It’s only as you grow in experience, that you invest more in your craft, so you can be prepared to respond to more interesting requests from your clients. Likewise, we’ve covered the basics of ballroom dance wear: Now let’s look at a larger list for those looking to be a bit more prepared. I encourage you to print them out, if you like. Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Wear: A Comprehensive List"

Posted on

Great Ballroom Music for Practicing

If you're reading this, odds are you like good ballroom music. Whether it’s for a performance, a social, or for practice, your favourite ballroom music energizes you, makes you want to strength further, push harder, dance fiercer.

All too often, I hear the same tired favourites when I go to dance halls and socials. So today, I’m sharing some of my top favourite ballroom dance songs in each genre, and why I like each one. I hope they inspire and delight you. Continue reading "Great Ballroom Music for Practicing"

Posted on

Guest Post: Dance Performances and Staying Positive

Many of us love to dance, and we often want to share that joy with others as well, whether it’s at a social, a group lesson, or one on one practice with a dance partner. Other times we want to share it with a wider audience by performing on a big stage. With that, however, come many mixed emotions. Some dance performances may result in a very rewarding feeling of accomplishment, and other times we are left disappointed in the outcome, whether it be a result of not enough practice, making mistakes on stage, or possibly an injury. If the outcome of performing has left you disappointed, or even afraid to step on stage again, how do you get back up in front of an audience after such an experience? Here are a few tips to keep a positive perspective on future dance performances, and build more positive experiences on stage. Continue reading "Guest Post: Dance Performances and Staying Positive"

Posted on

5 Ways to Shine in Your Dancing Performance

All the prep work’s been done. You’re walking out on stage for your dancing performance when… Oh my goodness, look how many people are watching! Wait, did my shoe unlace itself? AHH, IT”S ALL GOING WRONG!!!

Don’t let this be you. The 5 strategies I’m sharing here will keep you focused and lower stage jitters to a minimum. I owe both my own coaches and other ballroom experts for this hard-won advice - may it do you as much good as it did me. Continue reading "5 Ways to Shine in Your Dancing Performance"