Metamora Waltz

This choreography by Richard Powers is part of a long tradition of sequence waltzes, where both partners have memorized the same pattern and thus can help each other dance as smoothly as possible.  Many parts of this sequence can also be followed and lead in freestyle waltzing.

The name:  Metamora is one of Richard's favorite American small towns, thus honoring the American tradition of morphing together elements of several dances into one, in this case some gentle swing figures into waltzing.

Music:  Kalia's Waltz by Jon Berger, performed by Brassworks Band.


Introduction:  4 bars, taking waltz position, man facing out of the hall.

bars     A1
4       Clockwise Rotary Waltz, beginning man backing w/ L foot, woman fwd R, rotating one and three-quarters turns.
2       Balance, woman swaying CCW in toward the center of the hall with a backing waltz step then swaying CW away from the center, ending in the "outside lane" (man facing out).  At the very end, man raises his L, her R arm to lead:
2       Woman's double underarm turn traveling toward LOD with canter pivot steps (R-L, R-L, both in slow-quick timing).
         A2
Man "tracks" her pivot rotation so he can smoothly slide into waltz position in front of her to:
6       Repeat the first six bars.
2       Woman's single underarm turn traveling toward LOD with a waltz step (not pivots) and stepping back l facing man, who finishes facing her and LOD in open 2-hand hold.

         B1
2       In open 2-hand hold, balance forward and back.
2       Both facing outward, man raises his L hand (lowers his R) and turns woman under with an inside turn to exchange places, letting go of the low hand as you pass partner.  Footwork: Take 3 running waltz steps to pass and hold on the 4th backing step, facing partner.
2       In open 2- hand hold, balance forward and back.
2       Man raises his R hand (lowers his L) and turns himself under with an inside turn, backing in front of her to exchange places.
         B2
2       In open 2-hand hold, balance forward and back.
2       Man raises his L hand (lowers his R) and turns woman under into Woman's Cradle (not letting go of the low hand this time).
2       Woman backs up as man waltz-walks forward in a CW Wheel.
1       Man raises and circles his L hand to let her unwind CW.
1       Man raises and circles his R hand to let her unwind CW again, both facing LOD, woman on the right side, keeping inside hands.

         C1
2       Two running Waltz steps forward LOD, swinging held hands forward then back.
1       Throw held hands forward again and release into individual Rollaway Canter Pivots (man turning CCW L-R, woman CW R-L).
3       Repeat these 3 bars.
2       Two running Waltz steps forward LOD ending with helds extended to the rear (against LOD).
         C2  (a condensed version of A)
2       Take waltz position to turn together in a Rotary Waltz, only once around.
2       Woman's double underarm turn traveling toward LOD with canter pivot steps.
2       Rotary Waltz once around.
2       Woman's single underarm turn waltzing forward toward LOD ending in open 2-hand hold.

         D1
2       In open 2-hand hold, balance forward and back.
2       Man's Wrap: Man raises his R hand (lowers his L) and turns himself under, not letting go of the low hand.
2       Man backs up as he leads her to waltz-walk forward in a CW Wheel.
2       Man keeps only his R hand and leads her in, turning CW to unwind toward LOD.  She has returned to her starting position and he ends facing LOD.
         D2
2       In open 2-hand hold, balance forward, and back changing to R to R hands.
2       Man swings her into Varsouvienne (Sweetheart) position: she waltz-turns unly a half-turn to her left.  Then both step back (his R, her L) on the second bar, both facing LOD.
3       Waltz Walk forward LOD in Varsouvienne Position.
1       Man turns her CW by raising his L hand and lowering his R, then face-loops himself with his raised L hand to place her L hand on his shoulder, taking waltz position with his R arm.


  • Repeat the sequence from the top.  (Note: the man need not complete closed waltz position by taking her R hand in his L until partway through the initial rotation of the first waltz of A1.)

  • Begin the sequence a third time, only doing parts A and B, ending by slowing down the double-turn exit from the Woman's Cradle, facing partner and bowing.


    Abbr:  CW = clockwise rotation.  CCW = counterclockwise rotation
    LOD = Line of Direction (or Line of Dance).


  • Changes:
    Normally dance choreographies never change once they are created.  But Richard enjoys watching dances naturally evolve so he observed the way dancers were inclined to dance Metamora.
    1) The original version commenced this way: Waltz once, Balance, Waltz, Woman's Underarm Pivots.  But many dancers found it more natural to keep waltzing for a little longer before doing a variation.  So Richard followed this inclination and changed the opening to Waltz, Waltz, Balance, Woman's Underarm Pivots.
    2) In a very minor change, a running version of the Balance step was found to be more natural and comfortable than a step-touch.
    These two changes are minor enough to allow a person who learned the Beta version to lead-follow comfortably with someone who knows this version.


    Choreography and description by Richard Powers
    © 2003 Richard Powers


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