I know that different studios have different names for different steps or series of steps.
I wonder about that now because I just learned from our instructor at our independent studio that my wife and I will be doing a Fox Trot in an upcoming show this summer. We have done this for several years and it is always a great experience. This will be the first time for Fox Trot, and I am really excited about it. I know we will be doing some complicated steps, but my instructor mentioned something about avoiding International Style for fear that it would create "too many possible collisions" on the floor. I asked if he was including a feather step, and he said he may know that step by another name, but wasn't sure.
So here's my questions to the experienced instructors who post on this site. Does the feather step go by another name, and also would it be totally uncommon to have a routine that mixes some American and International style steps in it? I believe our music will be coming from "Singing in the Rain," if that dictates anything.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I've never heard the feather step called anything else. American smooth steps often have different names in the different syllabuses, but international is really codified with just one syllabus. The feather step is one of the basics, so anyone who knows International will certainly know it.

I'm a bit unclear on the format. Is is a solo show? If so, it shouldn't matter what steps you do. If it's a formation routine with a bunch of couples, again, if you are all doing the same steps, collisions shouldn't be a problem if he spaces you out appropriately.

Umm, are you sure your instructor knows what International is? Not meaning any slur on your instructor, but I have heard of instructors who are under the impression that American silver is "international" and don't know that there is a whole other style.

dheun. Your instructor knows nothing about the International Style. There is only one Feather Step and to call it anything but is sacrilege.