Waltz (International) facts for kids
The Waltz is a beautiful and graceful ballroom dance. It's one of the five main dances in the Modern or Standard style of ballroom dancing. People enjoy dancing the Waltz at social events and in exciting dance competitions.
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What is the Waltz?
The Waltz is known for its smooth, flowing movements and elegant turns. It's often one of the first dances people learn because its basic steps are quite simple. However, at a competitive level, the Waltz can be very challenging and requires a lot of skill.
Where Did the Waltz Come From?
The Waltz has a rich history! It started in Vienna, Austria, just like its faster cousin, the Viennese waltz. But the Waltz we know today was changed a lot by English dance teachers in the 1920s. This is why it's sometimes called the English Waltz. You might also hear it called the Diagonal Waltz, the International Waltz, or the Slow Waltz.
How Do You Dance the Waltz?
The music for the Waltz is special. It's played in 3/4 time, which means it has three beats in each measure. The first beat of each measure is usually the strongest. The music is played at a steady pace, usually between 29 and 34 measures per minute. This gives the dance its smooth, gliding feel.
Famous Waltz Moves
Even though the Waltz can be simple for beginners, advanced dancers use many cool moves. Some of these include:
- Whisks: A step where one foot crosses behind the other.
- Chassés: A series of three steps, often side-together-side.
- Spins: Turning movements that add flair to the dance.
- Hesitations: Moments where the dancers pause briefly.
- Drags: Steps where one foot is slowly pulled along the floor.
- Split-beat steps: More complex steps that divide the beat.
Many of these moves are so popular that other dances have copied them! One of the first advanced moves invented for the Waltz was the "double reverse spin." A dancer named Maxwell Stewart created it in the 1924 World Championship. Today, this move is taught to dancers who are working towards their "silver medal" in competitions, showing they've reached a high level of skill.
