From what I've heard around, there is an American style samba but it's soooo close to international style samba that you almost couldn't tell the difference. I believe I've heard that they're essentially 100% identical in technique and like 90% identical in figures, but someone who knows more about American style should be able to give a better answer.

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James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall

Hi, Denal:

International style latin ballroom dance competition consists, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Jive, Paso Doble and Samba. While its counter part, American style rhythm competition dance consistes, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Swing, Mambo and Bolero.

There is realy not a term " American style Samba ". However, for ballroom dancers who usually danced American style in the U.S., Samba is still quite popular. That is when the Samba music is played, we will participate and dance to the music. As far as to the question of if we are dancing correct technique or competitionally correct, maybe not. Some dance Samba better than the other just like any kind of dances. I would dare to say we are dancing just the "Samba". On the other hand, many other dances such as Salsa, Merengue, Polka, Disco Hustle and Night club two steps, we all dance to in the social scene, no one will care to call them American or International style.

Hope this help to clearify the terms.

Regards,

Keh Gough