American Cha Cha Syllabus

History of the American Cha Cha:

The Cha Cha, a dance that originated in Cuba, was first introduced by Cuban composer Enrique Jorrin in 1953. Also known as the cha-cha-cha, this dance is performed along with music that shares the same name. The original rhythm of the music evolved from the danzon which was once the official dance of Cuba. The name of the cha-cha-cha came from the actual sound of the rhythm and dance which involves a style of scraping instrument and the sound of the footwork of the dancers’ feet.

Although Enrique Jorrin originated the sound, the Cha Cha was transformed into the modern style of the dance by Pierre Zurcher Margolie, who was a dance teacher from London, and his partner Doris Lavelle. Pierre Zurcher Margolie visited Cuba during the 1950s and observed how the people were dancing to the Cha Cha music. He took this form of dance back to England and partnered with Lavelle to create the ballroom cha-cha-cha.

Although the original movements of the dance correlated with the sounds of the Cha Cha music, the cha-cha-cha can be danced along with most styles of Latin music from pop to rock. The Cha Cha is presently separated into the two styles: ballroom and Cuban. Margolie’s and Lavelle’s ballroom version is often fast paced and involves more energy. The beats are incredibly steady as well. The Cuban form of the Cha Cha is often more sensual in nature. The rhythm can also be more complex than just a steady beat.

This dance is customarily performed by a man and a woman. The man, who commonly takes the lead, begins on the second beat of the music by taking a step forward with his left foot. When the man does this, he still retains some of his weight on his right foot and keeps his right leg straight. On the third beat of the music, the man shifts his full weight back onto his right leg. During the fourth beat of the music, the man shuffles his feet through three steps. These three steps correlate with the cha-cha-cha sound and are the namesake of the dance. The quick steps basically move in a left foot, right foot, left foot stepping pattern. The woman will take a step back on her right foot during the second beat of the rhythm. Then during the third beat, she will return her weight forward onto her left foot. As the music reaches the fourth beat, the woman will shuffle her feet in the same manner that the man did creating the cha-cha-cha footwork.

Specific movement and placement of the feet is essential during the dance. Generally the ball of the foot first touches the ground. Then the heel comes down as the person’s weight is shifted to that side of his or her body. Anytime weight is lifted from a foot, the heel rises. Occasionally certain moves require the heel to be lifted for the duration of the move.

Hip movement is also an essential aspect of the Cha Cha. Depending on the style of cha-cha-cha dance, the way of accomplishing hip movement differs. In the traditional style of the dance, the hip movement occurs as the knees bend in alternate actions. In competitive dancing, however, the hip movement occurs by the weighted leg remaining straight, the other leg will bend, and the hips will naturally sway to the direction of the straightened leg.

Music for Cha Cha:

Celia Cruz: Rie y Llora

Thomas Bevins: Cha Cha Drums

John Lee Hooker: The Healer

Patricia Melicio: Funky latin boogaloo

Kirsty MacColl: In These Shoes

Johnny Ranchero: Oyeme Mama

Della Reese: Whatever Lola Wants

Della Reese: Why don't you do right

Daniela Romo: Todo Todo Todo

Pancho Sanchez: Besame' Mama

Pancho Sanchez: Watermelon Man

Karl Zero: El Bodeguero

The Cha Cha Patterns:

Bronze Level of Social Dancing:

The Bronze Level of Dancing has figures that can be danced in a crowded social environment, possibly a small floor. Bronze can be a more casual social level, with simpler figures that could easily be lead on a new acquaintence.

Bronze I dance figures

The Cha Cha Basic teaches the basic rhythm and body actions for producing an enjoyable Cha Cha. Learning the correct rhythm is both challenging and rewarding for the beginning dancer.

First 4 Cha Cha figures Demo

1) Cha Cha Basic

                 Couple Demonstration   Technique
                 Man's    Pattern             Technique
                 Lady's   Pattern             Technique