Paul and dot. When you wrote. Maybe if someone ( like Serendipidy ) were to take on the task of standardizing American and International, our great grand children will think he/ she developed both. You might like to know that Alex Moore who wrote the technique book was given the task by the Imperial Society to compile a book to standardize the Modern Technique. He goes on to say. It may be that some of my views may not meet with universal aproach, but are given in the conscientious belief they will assist towards a truer interpretation of the Dance, and its recognition as the finest of indoor recreation. Alex Moore did not invent the steps, or the names they were given, and never at any time pretended that he did. I hope our great grandchildren will not think otherwise.

Serendipidy,
Thanks of the information on Alex Moore. I'll read up on him.

Terence. Harry Fox was a vaudaville performer. Always as part of his routine he did a series of trotting steps to Rag time music. This was a Solo performance and people refered to it as Harry Fox's Trot.Hence Foxtrot. It is written that Harry was unable to find female dancers who could manage the more difficult Two Step.As a result he added stagger steps ( two trots ) creating the Foxtrot rhythm as slow slow quick quick. This was in 1914. Already in existence were canters and trots . One was the Horse Trot which would make it more plausable that the Foxtrot came from a term to describe the movement of the gait of a horse, which takes nothing away from Harry's contribution. One American who gets only limited recognition was G.K. Anderson who partnered Josephine Bradley and pioneered the Foxtrot as we know it today..
Over time Foxtrot split into slow ( Foxtrot ) and quick ( Quickstep ) both built around a slow quick quick rhythm which goes back to Harry Fox in 1914.
Interesting isn't it.

Terence. I won't be at my studio for another month or so because my wife's work schedule was changed. But we will be getting back and I will ask my instructor if he was ever in New York. I have not heard him mention that in the past, so I think, like me, he has just been around the Chicago area all of his life. I think we were both South Siders. My mother's rather large Italian family was probably responsible for my fondness in dancing and boxing, both at early ages. If you couldn't dance in that family, you were kind of viewed as a strange bird. Being able to dance at large parties, etc. was as natural as being able to walk.
I had to go to New York City recently to work a tradeshow and my instructor did not say anything like, "I used to work there," so I am thinking he was not teaching there. His name is Otto, if that rings any kind of bell. He's a strict instructor, and it's tough to get him to say you did something exactly the way he'd like, because he always has a pointer or tip to improve -- and that's why I like him so much. I thought I was pretty decent before I met him, and he quickly made me realize I was only so-so. His work on my balance and framing and constantly pounding that in my head has been a key factor. He jokes, to make a point about the importance of posture, that if you look good and mess up a step, you'll still look pretty good. But if you don't look good and your steps are correct, you still won't look good.

"Now let me understand this -- you want the AMERICANS to change their names --( the ones who developed Foxtrot , Jive, Rumba, Cha, mambo, Tango at Social level ) etc ?-"

Yes, might as well call a hover telemark to pp "a hover telemark to pp".

The Americna " standard " is already annoted and has been for multi yrs.

A comprehensive techn. book was put out by the NADC, in the 70s ?-- it was reccomended for use by all independants ( one cannot regulate the chain schools, except in "open" comps , altho they are both very similar in nature, thru Bronze ).

The comps are regulated to those standards ( closed footwork in bronze smooth ) and the levels are graduated thru Gold to open .

It has , without equal-- the best social system in existence . it also provides, for those that are interested,the style of dance that was an integral part of American culture.

The open and free flowing form that attracts many. In addition , they have the advantage of the Intern.style .

I introduced the American style to the National congress to one of the major British Soc. quite recently ( have been invited to another one this yr ).

It was met with great success, and many are introducing it at the Silver level .

You need to recognise that there is more than one " style " of ballroom and each country has its own regulatory body, who in turn are goverened by an Intern. body-- the WDC .

Now-- as to naming things-- there are several " variations " whisk for e.g. that were " invented " by English profs. DR spin and Rev. wave are others.
There is no "one" individual and or country , that can lay claim to naming each and every step ( T/A being an exception and some of that is questionable )

The " Latin" is a complete hodge podge of names, of which few reflect their country of origin .

Do you mean NDCA (National Dance Council of America) and not NADC, or maybe you do mean NADC (North American Dance Championships). Is this a manual produced for contest judging? I have never heard of this manual. More information please.

As I understand it, the NDCA is an umbrella organization that consists of a group of 21 major dance organizations as affiliated members. Each of these organizations has a certification program and associated manuals and standards. You can obtain a certification in any of the organizations, and they cover several different types of dance. I have not looked at the manuals from all these organizations, but I know they are not all the same. I did not see any mention of a single NDCA manual, but there is mention of multiple manuals from different organizations. ISTD is also a member of this organization.

Dance Vision just recently completed their new manuals and syllabus videos. They are also a member of NDCA. One more standard manual that is different.

I don't think there is much hope that Americans will ever standardize their names, but that doesn't stop me from complaining about it.

"I did not see any mention of a single NDCA manual"

Not a manual, but they do publish a syllabus list of steps in their rulebook, however in most cases I think they also allows the lists of the member organiations to be used as well.

Have judged many comps in the states , from Prof. Champ.to pro/am , in all genres.

We allowed the usage of all Br. variations in the Smooth div. ( W-FT --T )from any of the Indies and chains, were acceptable . Rhythm dances followed a similar path .
Silver "closed", had guide lines, tho a little more blurred than Br.

The 2 major implementations that came into play in the 70s--- spin turn was brought into the Amer Syl. in Waltz-- plus -- most everyone started to use the Intern. style link to create prom. in Amer style tango ( which I still disagree with )

The " council " compiled a manual at each level--- Br, Silv and Gold ,that was " recommended " for usage by all comp. dancers in open comps ( to the public at large )

Ricky Geiger,among others, collaborated on the tomes . This was done in the seventies .