SPIBE - La Sociedad Internacional de Profesores de Baile en Espana

Dance Styles

We cover many dance styles in the society. We have fully qualified examiners and teachers in all disciplines willing to help, give lectures and hold regular seminars to assist teachers with the charactisation and technique of the various dances.

Dances covered are as follows
Under the Ballroom section
Slow Waltz
This is one of the five dances in International Ballroom competitions. Originally an 18th century Austrian folk-dance, which has been modernized to present day standards. This dance captures romance all over the world.
Viennese Waltz
You will all know the beautiful waltzes of Strauss and other classical composers. This dance was a favourite of the Viennese aristocracy, and is still danced socially today. It is one of the International Ballroom competition most elegant Dances
Slow Foxtrot
This is a slow and graceful dance originated in the 1920's. The elegant and beautiful movements make it a challenging dance to master. The foxtrot is included in the five International Ballroom competition dances.
Quickstep
This evolved by taking the Foxtrot at a faster tempo thus making it a "Quickstep". The dance has many nimble steps, hops and kicks, it an energetic and lively dance. The Quickstep is included as one of the five Competition International dances.
Ballroom Tango
Many of the movements have been taken from the Argentine Tango. The music is slightly faster and has been standardized and included in the five International Ballroom dances for competitions.
Argentine Tango
This dance came from Buenos Aires and is a authentic raw dance which explores and tests the relationship between man and woman.
Social Foxtrot
Sometimes called Continental Rhythm Dancing. This is a very popular dance based on slow quickstep, mainly used on social occasions and in crowded conditions.

Under the Latin American section
Cha Cha Cha
This is a fun dance originating from Cuba. It is a syncopated Rumba and the name comes from the rhythm of the feet on the dance floor. This dance is used when competing at an international level.
Rumba
Again originating from Cuba this is a sensual and passionate dance with pulsating rhythms. This is a dance of love and is featured strongly in the International Dance Competitions.
Samba
Originally a work dance and today is still danced in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and is featured in their famous carnival. It is danced in the Latin Section of International dance competitions, but is now very different from the original Brazilian dance.
Paso Doble
During this dance the dance floor becomes the Spanish bullfighting arena, the man is the matador and the lady the flowing cape that entices the bull. Many of the bullfighting passes can be recogonised and many Spanish Flamenco steps have also been introduced. Again this dance is included in the International Latin Competitions
Jive
The jive has had many different styles which have been adjusted to the various musical phases from the 1920's Lindy Hop, 1930's Jitterbug and Boogie. 1940's Swing and in the 1960's Rock n Roll. These are all styles of Jive. It has been standardized and included as one of the dances in International Dance competitions.
Salsa
This is a fun and flirtatious dance. Popular for all-night partying. It has simple and lively movements but has different styles coming from Cuba, Puerto Rica and Columbia.
Mambo
A forerunner to the Salsa it features fast and fun moves started to become popular in the 1950's but is best know from the film "Dirty Dancing".
Merengue
The Merengue is a Caribbean Dominican Republic party dance. Many of the arm movements are similar to the Salsa but it is danced at a much slower tempo, and therefore easier to pick up.
Rock and Roll
This is similar to the standardized Jive but does not have the chasse or triple step. It is much faster and also includes jumps and lifts as well as the normal kicks and spins.
Bossa Nova
This is a latin dance reminiscent of the old square rumba. Fun to dance and the music is not quite as complicated as some of the more recent latin rhythms making the execution of this dance easier for the beginner.

Under the Theatre branch we include
Ballet
Ballet is for the more serious minded. It dates back to the 17th century and its expressive movement has something to offer for every one. It has a technique, grace and fluidity of movement which is the foundation of nearly all forms of dance.
Tap
Tap is as popular today as it was when the great Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly musicals hit the screen. It is very popular with all ages and has a similarity to Irish jigs and Step dances as well as the Spanish flamenco taps and heel beats. It is also a very enjoyable way to keep fit
Modern Jazz
Jazz is fun, you will learn to develop many differing movements covering a varying of rhythms and musical styles. This form of dance expresses feelings and mood from drum rhythms to funky jazz styles.

Other disciplines covered
Singing
Drama
Country and Western




Dance Styles We cover many dance styles in the society. We have fully qualified examiners and teachers in all disciplines willing to help, give lectures and hold regular seminars to assist teachers with the charactisation and technique of the various dances. Dances covered are as follows Under the Ballroom section Slow Waltz This is one of the five dances in International Ballroom competitions. Originally an 18th century Austrian folk-dance, which has been modernized to present day standards. This dance captures romance all over the world. Viennese Waltz You will all know the beautiful waltzes of Strauss and other classical composers. This dance was a favourite of the Viennese aristocracy, and is still danced socially today. It is one of the International Ballroom competition most elegant Dances Slow Foxtrot This is a slow and graceful dance originated in the 1920's. The elegant and beautiful movements make it a challenging dance to master. The foxtrot is included in the five International Ballroom competition dances. Quickstep This evolved by taking the Foxtrot at a faster tempo thus making it a "Quickstep". The dance has many nimble steps, hops and kicks, it an energetic and lively dance. The Quickstep is included as one of the five Competition International dances. Ballroom Tango Many of the movements have been taken from the Argentine Tango. The music is slightly faster and has been standardized and included in the five International Ballroom dances for competitions. Argentine Tango This dance came from Buenos Aires and is a authentic raw dance which explores and tests the relationship between man and woman. Social Foxtrot Sometimes called Continental Rhythm Dancing. This is a very popular dance based on slow quickstep, mainly used on social occasions and in crowded conditions. Under the Latin American section Cha Cha Cha This is a fun dance originating from Cuba. It is a syncopated Rumba and the name comes from the rhythm of the feet on the dance floor. This dance is used when competing at an international level. Rumba Again originating from Cuba this is a sensual and passionate dance with pulsating rhythms. This is a dance of love and is featured strongly in the International Dance Competitions. Samba Originally a work dance and today is still danced in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and is featured in their famous carnival. It is danced in the Latin Section of International dance competitions, but is now very different from the original Brazilian dance. Paso Doble During this dance the dance floor becomes the Spanish bullfighting arena, the man is the matador and the lady the flowing cape that entices the bull. Many of the bullfighting passes can be recogonised and many Spanish Flamenco steps have also been introduced. Again this dance is included in the International Latin Competitions Jive The jive has had many different styles which have been adjusted to the various musical phases from the 1920's Lindy Hop, 1930's Jitterbug and Boogie. 1940's Swing and in the 1960's Rock n Roll. These are all styles of Jive. It has been standardized and included as one of the dances in International Dance competitions. Salsa This is a fun and flirtatious dance. Popular for all-night partying. It has simple and lively movements but has different styles coming from Cuba, Puerto Rica and Columbia. Mambo A forerunner to the Salsa it features fast and fun moves started to become popular in the 1950's but is best know from the film "Dirty Dancing". Merengue The Merengue is a Caribbean Dominican Republic party dance. Many of the arm movements are similar to the Salsa but it is danced at a much slower tempo, and therefore easier to pick up. Rock and Roll This is similar to the standardized Jive but does not have the chasse or triple step. It is much faster and also includes jumps and lifts as well as the normal kicks and spins. Bossa Nova This is a latin dance reminiscent of the old square rumba. Fun to dance and the music is not quite as complicated as some of the more recent latin rhythms making the execution of this dance easier for the beginner. Under the Theatre branch we include Ballet Ballet is for the more serious minded. It dates back to the 17th century and its expressive movement has something to offer for every one. It has a technique, grace and fluidity of movement which is the foundation of nearly all forms of dance. Tap Tap is as popular today as it was when the great Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly musicals hit the screen. It is very popular with all ages and has a similarity to Irish jigs and Step dances as well as the Spanish flamenco taps and heel beats. It is also a very enjoyable way to keep fit Modern Jazz Jazz is fun, you will learn to develop many differing movements covering a varying of rhythms and musical styles. This form of dance expresses feelings and mood from drum rhythms to funky jazz styles. Other disciplines covered Singing Drama Country and Western