The Dancer's
Reading Room
Deep dives into ballroom music, dance families, attire, community, and everything in between. Written for dancers who want to understand the why.
Featured Guide
The Four Worlds of Ballroom Dance
International vs. American, Smooth vs. Rhythm, Standard vs. Latin — finally explained
Confused by all the different ballroom dance categories? This guide breaks down the four main families — International Standard, International Latin, American Smooth, and American Rhythm — and explains exactly what makes each one distinct.
All Guides — 9 articles
Standard vs. Smooth: What Followers Wear and Why
The differences between Standard and Smooth follower attire aren't arbitrary — they're driven by the technique of each style. This guide explains the dress, shoe, and styling differences and the biomechanical reasons behind them.
Ballroom Competition Attire: The Complete Guide
A comprehensive guide to ballroom competition attire for all four dance families — Standard, Latin, Smooth, and Rhythm — plus hair, makeup, and the unwritten rules that judges notice.
A Deep Dive Into Ballroom Dance Shoes
Dance shoes are one of the most important investments a dancer makes — and one of the least understood. This guide covers heel heights, suede soles, fit, and the brands worth knowing, with a spotlight on Crown Dance Shoes out of Los Angeles.
The Slow Dance Revolution: How Bella Marie Is Making Ballroom Accessible
Bella Marie has built one of the most effective free dance education platforms on social media — clear instruction, simple progressions, and a genuine understanding of what makes dance hard for beginners. This is her story.
Why West Coast Swing Goes Viral
West Coast Swing has an unusual relationship with the internet — its improvisational, musical nature produces moments that are genuinely thrilling to watch. This deep dive covers the champions, the major events, and why WCS keeps finding new audiences.
The Lost Art Making a Comeback: Partner Dance Teams
Partner dance teams are one of the most rewarding experiences in the dance world — and one of the hardest to sustain. This guide covers what makes teams stick, featuring Robert and Brigette Campos of Phoenix, AZ, whose teams have won multiple UCWDC World Champion titles.
Same Name, Different Dance
The four tangos, the two-steps, the swings, the waltzes — the dance world reuses names across styles that have diverged significantly. This guide cuts through the confusion with direct side-by-side comparison tables.
The Party Starts Here: A Guide to Social Line Dances
A guide to the social line dances that fill floors at weddings, parties, and clubs — from the Electric Slide and Thriller to the Cupid Shuffle and Shivers, with YouTube instructional videos for each.
The Real Cost of Ballroom Dance (And How to Navigate It)
The $29 intro lesson is just the beginning. This guide explains how ballroom dance studios are priced, what the typical cost escalation looks like, and how to build a real foundation without committing thousands of dollars before you know what you're doing.