Many dancing masters considered the Waltz as a threat to the profession. Its basic steps could be learned in no time, as opposed to other court dances like minuet, which took a fair amount of time to learn and master. Before the Waltz, people danced around each other with little or no contact at all.

Collegiate ballroom There is a part of the ballroom world dedicated to college students. These chapters are typically clubs or teams that have an interest in ballroom dancing. Teams hold fundraisers, social events, and ballroom dance lessons. Ballroom dance teams' goals are to have fun and learn to dance well.

In the international style, dancers are in the closed position, pressed close together – this is classic ballroom dance, taught all over the world. The American style, however, allows dancers to open up – they can separate and use as much of the floor as they like – and is more theatrical.

American Waltz This is the style most dancers learn how to waltz as beginners. The American waltz has six basic steps that are repeated throughout the dance. The dancers move right-left-right in a counterclockwise movement around the room. More arm movement is used in this style than other styles.