For someone with bronze level american style background wanting to learn some IS dance, what would be the easiest standard dance to learn ? I have been told AS bronze waltz and IS waltz bronze are very similar and should make the transition the easiest. Someone else suggested IS Viennese Waltz since there is only a few steps in the syllabus and you would learn the inside and outside turn almost immediately. Another suggestion was to first get to silver AS dance before switching to IS.
Anyone willing to offer their opinion ?
For those that have made the big plunge from AS to IS, what was the big reason for switching/expanding your repertoire to include IS ?

I think the whole concept of it being a big plunge to switch styles is overhyped. I can't see that moving from Bronze Smooth to Bronze Standard is any more difficult than moving from Bronze Smooth to Silver Smooth, yet no one calls moving up a level in Smooth "a big plunge." I'm saying this not to make fun of what you said, but rather to reassure you that in the end it's not that big a deal after all!

Personally, I'd start with the Standard Foxtrot. It's the least like any of the Bronze Smooth you've done so far, but it's the foundation of all the "swinging" Standard dances. Also, Bronze Standard Foxtrot is a lot like Silver Smooth Foxtrot in turns of basic movements and passing of the feet.

If you want to stick with the familliar, though, then start with Waltz. I wouldn't bother with Standard Viennese Waltz because it's a subset of what you've probably already learned in Smooth.

Another reason for starting with Standard Foxtrot is that it's addictive. It's a difficult dance (but not any more difficult than starting Silver Smooth Foxtrot) but the payoff is enormous in terms of how great you'll feel as you discover new things about dancing and improve your dancing and learn new techniques and patterns.

Would you consider tango?

With no much sway and rise and fall generally, tango could be a dance that one can try with less details to take care of, as compared with other ballroom dances.

skipper

Er, Int'l style Tango is as detailed as the other dances. Plus, there is NO rise and fall (contrary to the previous post).

Usually, Waltz and Quickstep are tuaght as the first dances to be learned. Tango is different from the others in that the technique required is different. Therefore, 'picking' an 'easy' dance makes less sense - picking a good COACH is the answer.

There is a lot to leasrn in American Style, too, you know... simply because you can 'do' basic actions in any technique does not mean that you have mastered or even scratched the surface of the dance. Good dancers will tell you that it's like peeling away at the surface of an onion - always more detail, etc. That's why you can never tire of dance - it's always got things to learn, always ways to improve.

Talking to a Bronze level IS dancer, you'll see one perspective - and a higher level dancer, another. Both are valid, but you can see that there is more to it than meets the eye.

My advice is to find a good coach. If you are in the midwest (where good Intl coaching is scarce and social American must be the major thrust of teaching; I presume that's why at the Nationals you see mainly seniors from Midamerica doing American) then I'd go to a USABDA regional competition and look at the Open level amateurs - and then ask the ones that do the best, who their teachers are.

If you are on the coasts, you will probably be exposed to Int'l coaches in your area. Be warned tho, that 'advanced' coaching does NOT mean more advanced than YOU but advanced compared to the local medalist level.

Good luck - you'll find International is very rewarding and excitin to learn and dance. You'll soon also find that your skill levels in International make you a desireable partner even at the local social - you will be learning movement and technique, which are the basis for real dance!