Ballroom Dance

What's the difference between the metals? Is there a reason why some steps are bronze and others silver?

The Medalist System is the method used by many American-style ballroom dance teachers studios use to effectively evaluate a student's level of accomplishment. It breaks down into the following 3 levels, or "Medals": BRONZE - Patterns technique associated with basic social ballroom dancing SILVER - Patterns technique associated with advanced ballroom dancing GOLD - Competitive level of dancing / Performance-oriented / Highly technical

Although this has gained wide acceptance now as a standard, no one in the American-style Ballroom community can agree on a single set of figures to associate with any given medal. There are just too many big entities, none of whom seem to want to compromise their idea of what a "perfect" syllabus is. Last time I checked, there were 11 different "official" syllabi. Because of this, one can only give you a vague description of what each level entails.

Are there steps that are considered bronze in one style and silver in another?

By "style", are you referring to the type of dance, school/syllabus, or American vs. International? Actually, it doesn't matter... the answer to all 3 scenarios is yes. I can think of a number of examples where a pattern is considered Bronze in one dance, and Silver in another (ie Open Reverse Turn in Tango/Waltz). You can find numerous examples of patterns that are Bronze at this school, and Silver at another (ie EC Swing Toe-Heel Swivels). The most obvious example between American & International style is that of the Foxtrot... where "Continuity" or "Feather" steps are basic to the International dancer, while they are considered advanced (Silver & above) in the American arena.

[Jonathan Atkinson waltz123@aol.com ]

Foxtrot

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Last modified on: 2000, Monday May 8.