How would you react upon when you discover that the ever-elegant waltz dance was actually originally done by a group of peasants? Yes, in fact, it was first danced in the suburbs of Vienna and the alpine region of Austria. During the 17th century, far older than the time when you could download waltz songs from what we now call as internet, waltzes were already being played in the Hapsburg peasants ballrooms in Austria and Bavaria. The word "waltz" came from the German term "waltzen" meaning "to roll, turn, or to glide". It is a dance in ¾ time, putting a strong accent on the first beat. Its basic pattern is step-step-close as you glide or move in a lively or conspicuous manner.

Waltz was first danced in the U.S. in 1834 when a Boston master did an exhibition in the Beacon Hill mansion of Mrs. Otis. Social leaders were said to have first been shocked by the "indecorous exhibition". However, in the 19th century, the dance became firmly established in the country. Around 1830, two great Austrian composers-Johan Strauss and Franz Lanner-gave Waltz music a tremendous boost that we enjoy to date. Their music was the one which set the standard for the well-known Viennese waltz which is a faster version of the original waltz.

Upon the closing of the 19th century, two modifications of the dance were developed in the country: the Boston Waltz and the English or International Style. The first one was a slower version which disappeared after the First World War while the second one continues today.