Country dance encompasses a variety of dance genres that have been danced in America for decades. UCWDC dances and events celebrate the historical and contemporary expressions of American country music and culture. For this reason, our contests feature country music as well as dance boots and hats that reflect country and western fashion.

UCWDC Partner Dance styles include Two Step, Waltz, East Coast Swing, Polka, Cha-Cha, Triple Two, NightClub, and West Coast Swing. For more information about our Partner Dance competitions, click here.

UCWDC Line Dances follow contemporary trends and change seasonally. For more information about our Line Dance competitions, click here.

Read about UCWDC and American Country dance history here.

Partner dances are those where two dancers pair up, one as leader and one as follower. Examples: Two Step, Waltz, East Coast Swing, Polka, Cha-Cha, Triple Two, NightClub, and West Coast Swing. For more information about our Partner Dance competitions, click here.

Line dances are solo dances with choreographed steps to selected music. The steps and music are published for anyone to access and learn. Once you have learned a Line Dance, you can dance it with others socially, or in a competition. This creates a shared dance experience without the need for a partner or team (although that is a fun way to learn, too). For more information about our Line Dance competitions, click here.

Team dances can be either Partner Dances or Line Dances – or a combination of both. Team dances are executed by a group of dancers in synchronization. Teams practice and compete together. For more information about our Team Dance competitions, click here.

The most common way to begin learning and competing in country dance is by taking classes. This can be done at a local ballroom and country dance studio, a country nightclub or through private lessons with a country dance professional. Most UCWDC events offer instructional workshops.

If those options are not accessible to you, it is possible to learn through instructional videos. This approach does not provide individualized technical guidance. Line dances are especially accessible in this way. Access UCWDC Line Dance step sheets, music, and demonstration videos here. Instructional videos for Partner Dances may be found on YouTube or through some dance professionals’ websites.

You can also attend a UCWDC event near you to experience the workshops, meet the professionals, and mingle with other dancers and dance-curious folks.

Your starting point will be influenced by your prior training in other forms of dance. No experience? Great! We have newcomer divisions just for beginners. Coming from another dance style? You will compete at a level comparable to your skills.

The UCDWC has rules and guidelines to help you find an appropriate starting place. These are called Divisions and Crossover Rules:

• Pro-Am Divisions
• Pro-Am Crossover Rules
• Couples Divisions
• Couples Crossover Rules

We recommend that you work with a Dance Professional to determine the right entry point for you. You may also contact the UCWDC’s VP of Rules and rules@ucwdc.org with any questions.

While there are many levels that your students may start in based on their prior experience and proficiency, it is especially important to fully understand the criteria for the Newcomer Division, as it is the most restricted.

Newcomer dancers are expected to follow specific timing, patterns and costuming for their level. This structure helps build solid fundamentals and ensures a fair comparison for those students entering our community.

The UCWDC Newcomer levels are designed to provide a clear and progressive path for newer dancers. Here is how they break down:

• Newcomer IV is the starting level (for dancers with the least experience), with the most basic figures.
• Dancers progress upward through Newcomer III and Newcomer II.
• Newcomer I is the highest level within the Newcomer division. This level provides a bridge between syllabus-based learning and more open choreography while maintaining consistency in timing. Newcomer I allows for more creative freedom in choreography. However, all routines must still follow the correct basic timing(s) for each dance with a timing exception allowed for the purposes of doing a foot change. There are also patterns from the Newcomer III or II syllabus that incorporate alternative timing(s) that may be used, but only as described in the UCWDC syllabus.

You can also refer your students to our Competitor’s Quick Reference guide on this website.

Newcomer Costuming

It is especially important to understand the costuming requirements for your newcomer students. While the costumes allowed are more restricted, particularly for Newcomer IV, III and II, this is intended to help students get started in their competitive dance journey for less of an investment in costuming. Below is a link to rules specifically pertaining to Newcomer Costuming.

Newcomer specific costuming rules can be found in the Costuming Rules at:

• Section I.1.b.i
• Section I.3
• Section I.5

Newcomer Syllabi

The UCWDC is pleased to present free, downloadable teaching syllabi for Newcomer IV, III, and II levels. All eight (8) of the UCWDC’s competitive Couples and ProAm dances are represented in our General Resources library.

In the interest of promoting country dance and Line Dance, anyone is welcome to download and use these materials without charge.

Yes, if you wish to compete at a UCWDC event.
No, if you only want to attend UCWDC events, workshops, and classes.

You can also become a member if you wish to support our not-for-profit organization.

It is possible to learn some dances on your own through instructional videos. This approach does not provide individualized technical guidance.

Line dances are especially accessible in this way. Access UCWDC Line Dance step sheets, music, and demonstration videos here.

Instructional videos for Partner Dances may be found on YouTube or through some dance professionals’ websites.

You can also attend a UCWDC event near you to experience the workshops, meet the professionals, and mingle with other dancers and folks within the dance community.

Please refer to our Competitor’s Quick Reference guide on this website.

Yes! You need a membership only if you decide to compete at a UCWDC event.

These links will take you to the information most commonly needed by UCWDC new dancers:

• UCWDC Events Calendar of qualifying events and championships
• UCWDC Competition Rules and rules updates
• Line Dance step sheets, music, and instruction
• Partner Dance syllabus and music
• Membership information