Paso Doble Dancing

The name "Paso Doble" in Spanish means walk double time. This refers to the marching nature of the steps, which may be counted 1,2,1,2. At a basic level only one step is taken to each beat of music.

The Paso Doble was one of many Spanish folk dances associated wiyh various facets of Spanish life. In particular, the Paso Doble is based on the Bullfight. It portrays the Torero (the male dancer) and his cape (his partner), and is danced to the characteristic march music used for procession at the begining of a corrida. Bullfights date back to ancient Crete, but only in the 1700's were they held in Spain. The dance itself became popular amongst the upper classes of Paris in the 1930's, and acquired a set of French names for many of the steps. The competition version of the Paso Doble is danced with a high chest, the shoulders wide and down, and with the head kept back but inclined slightly forward and down. The weight is forward, but most forward steps have heel leads. Often it is choreographed to the tune "Espana Cani" (the Spanish Gypsy Dance), which has three crescendos in the music. These highlights are usually matched in the choreography by dramatic poses, adding to the spectacular nature of the dance.

Scottsdale Dance Lesson

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Congratulations to Kristie & Marshall (04/16/2013)

Congratulations to Kristie & Marshall for winning 1st place in their first competition!

Mother's Day Dance Gift Certificates!(04/15/2013)

Mother's Day Dance Gift Certificates available!

Spotlight Party!(03/21/2013)

Come and cheer your fellow dancers showing off. Tuesday, April 2nd. 7:30-9pm

Testimonials

I started taking lessons in June 2010.  My wife died in November 2009, after fighting breast cancer for 13 years.  It was at this time I became depressed and did pretty much nothing for a period of 3 or 4 months.  A girlfriend at local gym recommended joining a dance studio.  I then went to the Scottsdale Arthur Murray Studio and saw people dancing and talking and smiling.  In other words, having a good time.  At that point I decided to join.  I was introduced to two of the female instructors as my new instructors.  As time passed, they became the two people I fell in love with as well as, with the rest of the group at the studio due to their attitude toward me, and the love they had for dancing. The girls and the studio as a whole have given me a second chance at an enjoyable second time around.  Thank you all!

~ Ray Thalblum

Ray Thalblum