Round Dancing is Choreographed Ballroom

Round Dancing is a form of social ballroom dancing in which the steps are choreographed precisely to the music, and those steps are announced by a "cuer," as we dance. The presence of the cuer makes a round dance look different than the usual ballroom dance — all the couples are dancing in unison, the choreography can be relatively complex and interesting (since the man doesn't have to think it up as he goes) — but otherwise round dancers are ballroom dancing. We hold our partners in the normal way. We take the same kinds of steps and dance the same kinds of figures. The rhythms are the familiar rhythms — waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba, and many others.

Round Dancing is a great couple activity. Learn more below.

Harold & Meredith

What Is Round Dancing?
Figure & Styling Manual
Round Dance Music Samples
Colorado Round Dance Association
International Choreographed Ballroom Dance Association (formerly URDC)
Dixie Round Dance Council
Washington Area Square Dancers Cooperative Association
Contact Harold


About Dance


To read the full article above and many other educational articles on how to dance more smoothly and comfortably, see this TOC.

  • Find step-by-step descriptions of figures in some 20 different dance rhythms.
    • refresh your memory of steps you've done
    • learn new figures
  • Round Dance figures and sequences work beautifully on the freestyle ballroom floor.
    • learn some new steps
    • add variety and interest to your dancing
  • Go beyond the steps to some of the details of what you can do with the rest of your body.
    • dance position
    • lead and follow
    • body position and movement
      • head
      • torso
      • arms and hands
      • hips
      • knees
      • feet
    • styling
  • Get ideas for dancing more smoothly and comfortably.
  • Try out the basic steps for some of the more exotic rhythms.
    • samba
    • mambo
    • tango
    • hustle

Some steps are simple and can be taken right out onto the dance floor. Others are more involved and will take time and experimentation to work out, but mastering new routines is fun and satisfying.




Page last revised 12/21/07

© Harold and Meredith Sears, Boulder, Colorado