Fox Trot Dance Classes

Fox Trot is a ballroom dance that is said to be the invention of Harry Fox, a vaudeville actor. The actual origin is unknown, but it caught on in 1914 and never looked back. It was quickly picked up by the Castles who put their indelible mark on it and left is a beautiful and graceful dance. In the beginning it was danced to ragtime music but now the favored accompaniment is swing music. It enjoyed being the most popular dance of the 1940's. The waltz and tango were close runner's up. Even the lindy hop did not gain as much popularity. Some of its popularity is due to its versatility. It can be danced to several types of music.

Over time, the Fox Trot split into two separate styles, a slow one retained the name and the faster one was called the quickstep. The basic steps are built upon varying the tempo of the steps such as slow-quick-quick rhythm. The American slow style is based on a slow-slow-quick-quick pattern. There are several flourishes and steps that can be added to the basic in both the social and international styles. It remains today as a fun and classic dance.

Fox Trot is still one of the basic foundations for professional ballroom. Competition in both the slow and faster versions is a part of just about all competitions internationally. It was and is a dance that is popular. It can still be adapted to all kinds of music and does enjoy some variation in choreography and music selection and comes through with shining colors. It survived the coming of rock and roll in the 50's and has adapted to every new music style since then. It started out as a fast dance and became two dances, one fast and one slow. It can be expected that it will continue to adapt.

Today, Fox Trot classes are available at dance studios all over the world. Ballroom dance is quite a popular activity for people of all ages and levels. There are even competitions at every level and age group. If international competitive dances are learned, it is possible for students to earn medals that verify their knowledge of the standard dance. Dance schools offer classes in general ballroom and will be sure to include this dance since it is such a staple in the ballroom scene. Have fun with this smooth dance.