Beginner’s guide: Which dance style is right for you?

You have been thinking about it for a while. You want to start dancing. But where do you begin?

There is no wrong style to start with. What matters is that you pick something that feels right. Here are eight of our dance styles at USC Studios, all with beginner classes.

Salsa

Salsa is a vibrant dance style rooted in Cuba and Latin America. The style is built on clear steps, partner work and hip movement. You learn basic steps, turns and leading to salsa music. No partner needed, everyone rotates in class. Great for you if you want to move to live rhythms and train timing and flow.

Bachata

Bachata combines Latin rhythms with fluid body waves and hip work. You dance close with a partner and train balance, control and expression with a focus on feeling and style. The music does the rest. Great for you if you are drawn to emotion, expression and letting your body follow the rhythm.

Hip hop

Hip hop is an urban dance style rooted in street culture and music. The style blends groove, isolations and powerful movements. You learn choreography to hip hop and R&B music, training rhythm, body control and attitude. Great for you if you like pop culture and want to find your own movement language.

K-pop

K-pop is one of the world’s fastest growing dance styles. You learn choreography from groups like BLACKPINK, TWICE and ITZY. The style switches between sharp moves, smooth hip swings and quick formations. Great for you if you love K-pop culture and want to dance just like in the music video.

Street dance

Street dance is urban dance rooted in street culture. The style is built on freedom, personality and groove. You learn movement drawn from popping, locking and hip hop. Classes give you a foundation in classic street dance forms and modern urban dance. Great for you if you want to find your own style and express yourself freely.

Reggaeton

Reggaeton is a dance style rooted in Latin America and the Caribbean. The style is built on hip work, isolations and powerful movement to reggaeton beats. The focus is on attitude and energy. Great for you if you want to let loose and feel the music in your entire body.

Contemporary

Contemporary blends modern dance with jazz technique. The style moves between control and release, with a focus on expression and musicality. You work on floor work, dynamics and movement quality. Great for you if you want to explore emotion and personal expression through movement.

Jazz dance

Jazz dance blends jazz with street and funk. You learn choreography full of attitude and energy. Classes train coordination, rhythm and expression to current music. Jazz gives you a strong foundation that transfers to almost every other dance style. Great for you if you want to build technique and body awareness.

What to expect at your first class

Every course at USC Studios has a beginner level. No experience needed. Come in clothes you can move in and be ready to sweat. The teacher goes through the basics from the start and adjusts the pace so everyone can follow. The most important thing is that you show up.

The first term is five weeks. That is enough to know if a style is for you. And if you are still unsure, pick whatever pulls you the most. Your gut is usually right.

We offer a total of 20 dance styles. Check out the schedule and find your class at usc.se.