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Studies & Degrees in Latin Dances

Latin dances are partner dances that grew out of the music of Latin America and the Caribbean. The name covers two worlds. One is competitive dancing: the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) in the United Kingdom names the cha cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive as the Latin American dances performed internationally in dance sport. The other is social dancing, with styles such as salsa, bachata, merengue and Argentine tango, which the ISTD describes as mainly danced in pairs in social settings, improvised and constantly evolving.

Students learn rhythm and timing, footwork, leading and following, turns and posture, and how each dance relates to its music. The dances also carry history. According to UNESCO, the music and movements of rumba in Cuba are mainly associated with African culture, with elements of Antillean culture and Spanish flamenco, and Dominican bachata derives from a fusion of bolero with other Afro-Antillean genres such as son, cha-cha-cha and merengue. UNESCO inscribed rumba in Cuba in 2016 and Dominican bachata in 2019 on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Qualifications and levels

Latin dance is learned mostly in classes and private lessons, not in university degrees. The level a student reaches depends on hours of practice more than on a certificate.

  • Social classes and workshops. Weekly classes by level, intensive weekends and festivals are the usual route for salsa, bachata and tango. Many schools issue no certificate; if one is offered, ask the school what recognition it has.
  • Graded exams and medal tests. Dance societies examine the competitive Latin American dances. The ISTD formed its Latin American section in 1947, with a first syllabus of rumba, samba, paso doble and jive, and today runs Latin American exams and medal tests. It states that it conducts 120,000 examinations a year across all its dance genres, for children, students, amateurs and professionals.
  • Official dance education in Spain. Spain's education law organises dance education in three levels: elementary, professional (a minimum of six years) and higher artistic education. Ask a conservatory which dance styles its programme includes.
  • Dance degrees. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that a formal credential is not always required for dancers, but that some employers require or prefer a bachelor's degree in dance or a related performing arts field.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 1 active school under Latin dances: Sala Teatro Cuarta Pared in Madrid. It is a theatre with a drama school. The school runs separate courses for people who want to work professionally in theatre and for people who want an activity for personal development, and theatre and movement courses for children aged 3 to 12 and teenagers aged 13 to 17. The venue also hosts a dance season that runs from September to May. The pages checked for this text do not list Latin dance classes, so ask the school which movement and dance courses it currently offers.

Most Latin dance teaching takes place in local dance schools and studios that are not in this directory. When comparing them, look at the styles taught, the number of levels, group size, whether you need to enrol with a partner, and the teachers' own training. Classes are normally given in the local language, although much of the learning is by demonstration.

Careers

Most people learn Latin dances for pleasure. Those who make a living from them work as teachers in dance schools, as performers in shows and on cruise ships, as competitive dancers and coaches, or as choreographers. Teaching usually follows years of dancing and, in the competitive styles, the teaching qualifications of a dance society.

For the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that it usually takes years of practice to become a dancer. It projects overall employment of dancers and choreographers to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations, with about 2,200 openings each year. These figures cover all dance styles.

Frequently asked questions

Which dances count as Latin dances?

In competition, the five Latin American dances are the cha cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive. In social dancing the term usually means salsa, bachata, merengue and related styles.

Do I need a partner to take classes?

It depends on the school. Latin dances are partner dances, and some schools ask students to enrol in pairs while others rotate partners in class. Ask before enrolling.

Is there an official qualification in Latin dance?

Dance societies such as the ISTD run exams and medal tests in the Latin American dances. For any other course, ask the school what recognition its certificate has.