Ballroom Dancing

Customer Service answers:

The samba would definitely be exciting and interesting. Swing is very fun and can look very awesome too with non-basic steps.
Because you don’t know ballroom i wouldn’t suggest swing as it usually either a hit or miss in the fun department. The samba can look very complex and entertaining with basic steps as long as you have the basic rhythm. It is one of the harder dances in the rhythm department but you should be fine. If you are going to a dance studio(which i hope you are as dance videos are sometimes lacking) just tell them you would like to do samba and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the routine.

I just reread your question. You said style but I’m not sure if that’s what you meant. If it is, i would suggest the latin style. The “ballroom” style is very fun and beautiful but many people don’t get that.
Good luck at your competition!

Customer Service answers:

It just takes practice and experience. The one thing about ballroom though is that you only need to recognize the music type, know when to start (on 1, on 3, etc.) and then find that beat.

I grew up playing music, so it’s been relatively easier to pick up the timing (although it did take me a while to get the hang of when to start cha-cha). If you don’t have a lot of music experience, you can try to find a video that teaches you the fundamentals of music timing (3/4 time, 4/4 time, syncopation, etc.) or perhaps a beginning music theory class at your local community college. Otherwise, take a few private lessons with a dance teacher specifically on recognizing the beat, and when to start, and it should clear up pretty quickly.

Alternatively, music is great, and everyone should know how to play at least one instrument, so pick an instrument you’ve always thought was cool (piano, trumpet, electric guitar, drums, etc.) and take some lessons. First few lessons will likely be all about rhythm, timing, etc.

Have fun! And know no matter what you choose, it will get easier to find when to start. And the more time / effort you put into it, the faster it will come.

Customer Service answers:

I love ballroom dancing but I’m afraid the name is somewhat misleading! I’d prefer it to be called “social dancing” because we’re learning the swing, swing hustle, salsa, waltz, rumba, tango, cha-cha. My 1-hour classes started off with 3 dances at the basic level and after 6 weeks, everyone was more or less able to get out on the dance floor and do 3 dances. My classes run 6-weeks each and we learn 2 dances per session plus salsa at each level.
Start with Arthur Murray or similar dance studios.