(Dance 2A) Intermediate Cha-Cha
In this five-week Intermediate Cha-Cha course, Club Professional Alexandra McPherson builds on an existing foundation of Cha-Cha knowledge by adding new steps and technique to build your repertoire.
We’ve included a sneak-peek video as a great way to see what Alexandra McPherson and her partner have in store for us in this set of Intermediate Cha-Cha figures. The lead and follow is effortless, the mixing and matching of the figures will hopefully encourage you to do the same thus making each sequence uniquely yours! The figures and music in this demo will definitely bring home to you the light and bubbly feel of the Cha-Cha and its great sense of fun!!
The Cha-Cha, which originated in Cuba, is a playful and flirtatious dance known for its vibrant energy. It is one of the most popular, social Latin dances and is danced in both American and International styles of ballroom dance.
Cha-Cha is danced with “Cuban Motion,” which is a hip movement common to dances in the Latin style of dancing. Cuban Motion is achieved by moving the hips by alternately bending and straightening the knees in a particular sequence. Ie: as one knee bends, the opposite hip straightens (or raises). The characteristic steps in the Cha Cha are small, quick, and follow a pattern of triple and rock steps.
The Cha-Cha is danced to lively and upbeat music, which also reflects the energy of the dance movements. It is executed by dancing 5 steps to a 4/4 time. Depending on the instructor, the basic Cha-Cha steps could be counted in a variety of ways, such as,”1, 2, 3, 4 and 1” or, “One, Two, Cha Cha Cha.” Etc.
Looking for practice music? Check our Facebook Online Community Group for weekly posts in our Practice Tune Tuesday series!
Lessons
Intermediate Cha-Cha – Open Break and Under-arm Turn
Intermediate Cha-Cha – Crossbody Lead
In this lesson, Alexandra McPherson introduces us to the concept of being able to rotate our basic Cha-Cha. Since it is a rotation dance, we could end up facing in several different directions. One of the ways in which we can achieve this rotation is by pivoting on our standing foot at the end of […]
Intermediate Cha-Cha – Chase Turns
This lesson is unique because, for the very first time, Alexandra McPherson, (our Club Professional) introduces us to the concept of “a special delayed action” while dancing. This is when the follower tries to copy the exact actions of the leader except in the measure following the one in which the leader has just danced! […]
Intermediate Cha-Cha – Walkaround Breaks & Creative Choreography
In this lesson, Alexandra McPherson teaches us how to dance the “Walkaround Breaks” on the side that we are not used to. She also shows us how we can use elements that we already know to create Choreography! How exciting is that? Alex then shows us how we can use three figures i.e. the Walkaround […]
Intermediate Cha-Cha – More Turn Steps
In this video, Alex gives us two lessons for the price of one! She teaches us the “Ladies Inside Turn” and the “Two Way Turn.” The former is a counterclockwise turn for the followers which we have not attempted previously in our posted lessons. The “Two Way Turn” is achieved by the leaders and followers […]