Dream Waltz Dance Steps
The Dream Waltz dance script was composed by Robert Stewart in 1967. It is a 16 bar dance (see paragraph numbers) in the usual 3/4 waltz time and should be danced with the usual 1-2-3, 1-2-3 rhythm to music at a tempo of 32 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to centre down line of dance. We describe only the man’s steps here on the assumption that the lady will follow as a counterpart, unless otherwise stated.
The man lowers (bends his legs) slightly and uses “heel leads” to step forward; backward steps are drawn with his toe (again, lowering himself) and whenever he brings his feet together both man and lady should rise up onto their toes. If you find yourself confused with all the technical terms, you can skip to a video presentation of the dance below.
If You Prefer to Just Watch the Dream Waltz, Scroll to the Video at the Bottom
Dream Waltz 1st Movement – Reverse Turn With Open Finish – Left Side Check – Syncopated Chasse
1. The man moves his left foot forward using a ‘heel lead’ in a diagonal-to-centre direction while turning to the left (1). Then he brings his right foot to the side, still turning to the left (2) and closes his left foot to his right foot to finish this first 1-2-3 backing line of dance (3).
2. The man now brings his right foot back while turning to the left (1), then his left foot to the side with his toe pointing diagonal to wall (2) and finally, his right foot forward in a contra-body movement position (CBMP) stepping outside his partner, facing diagonal to wall with a Check Action (3).
3. Then the man brings his left foot back in another CBMP, backing diagonal to centre against line of dance while turning to the right (1) then his right foot to the side with his toe pointing diagonal to wall against line of dance (2) and finally, his left foot forward in another CBMP outside his partner, being on her left side, facing diagonal to wall against line of dance with another Check Action (3).
4. The man’s right foot now comes back in another CBMP, backing diagonal to centre and turning to the left (1), now his left foot to the side with his toe pointing diagonal to wall (2). He closes his right foot to his left foot (&) and brings his left foot to the side and slightly fwd, facing diagonal to wall (3).
Dream Waltz – 2nd Movement – Natural Turn With Open Finish – Right Side Check – Chasse to the Right
5. The next 1-2-3 of the waltz see the man moving his right foot forward in another CBMP outside his partner, facing diagonal to wall and turning to the right (1). Next, his left foot moves to the side while still turning to the right (2). He then closes his right foot to his left and finishes the move backing line of dance (3).
6. The man now brings his left foot back, backing line of dance and turning to the right (1) and his right foot comes to the side with his toe pointing diagonal to centre (2) then his left foot forward in another CBMP outside his partner on his left side, facing diagonal to centre with another Check Action (3).
7. Now the man’s right foot comes back in another CBMP, backing diagonal to wall against line of dance and turning to the left (1). He brings his left foot to the side with his toe pointing diagonal to centre against line of dance (2) and finally, his right foot forward in another CBMP outside his partner, facing diagonal to centre against line of dance with a Check Action (3).
8. To complete this part of the dance, the man brings his left foot back in another CBMP, backing diagonal to wall while turning to the right (1). He then brings his right foot to the side with his toe pointing diagonal to centre (2) and closes his left foot to his right foot while continuing to turn to the right so as to face line of dance (&) and finally bring his right foot to the side and slightly forward (3).
Dream Waltz – 3rd Movement – Link to Promenade Position – Weave to Promenade Position – Syncopated Chasse
9. The man now moves his left foot forward down the line of dance while turning his body to the left (1). He closes his right foot to his left foot while moving his right shoulder slightly back and preparing to turn the lady to Promenade Position (2). Next, his left foot moves diagonally forward into Promenade Position, his left shoulder leading, his foot pointing diagonal to centre with his body facing down line of dance (3).
10. The man moves his right foot forward in Promenade Position and CBMP, pointing diagonal to centre with his body facing line of dance. ( The Lady moves her left foot forward and across in Promenade Position and CBMP, turning to the left, pointing her foot to the centre, moving diagonal to centre) (1). Next, the man’s left foot goes forward as he faces diagonal to centre while turning to the left (The Lady brings her right foot to the side and slightly back, backing diagonal to centre) (2). The man’s right foot now goes to the side and slightly back, as he finishes the move backing diagonal to wall (The Lady’s left foot comes to the side and slightly forward, pointing to line of dance) (3).
11. Next, the man’s left foot comes back in a CBMP with his partner on the outside, so that he is now backing line of dance (1). He brings his right foot back while turning to the left, his partner now in line with himself (2). Then the man’s left foot comes to the side into Promenade Position along the line of dance (3).
12. The man brings his left foot to the side in Promenade Position along the line of dance (1) then his left foot to the side and slightly forward, leading the lady in line with himself (2). He closes his right foot to his left foot (&) and bring his left foot to the side and slightly forward, diagonal to wall (3)
Dream Waltz – 4th Movement – Natural Half Turn (Underturned) – Back Feather – Half Reverse Turn – Chasse to the Right
13. The man’s right foot goes forward in another Contra Body Movement P0sition outside his partner, while turning to the right (1). His left foot then goes to the side while still turning to the right (2). The man then closes his right foot to his left food and finishes backing diagonal to centre (3).
14. Next, the man moves his left foot back and begins turning to the right (1). Now his right foot comes back, his right shoulder leading while curving towards line of dance as he prepares to lead partner outside himself (2). His left foot then comes back in a CBMP with his partner on the outside (3).
15. Now the man’s right foot comes back in a direction backing line of dance while turning to the left and bringing his partner in line with himself (1). Then his left foot goes to the side, his toe pointing diagonal to wall (2). He closes his right foot to his left foot and finishes the move facing diagonal to wall (3).
16. The man’s left foot moves forward in a diagonal to wall direction while turning to the left (1). His right foot goes to the side as he still turns to the left (2). The man closes his left foot to his right foot, facing diagonal to centre (&) and brings his right foot to the side, finishing with a small step, brushing his left foot to his right (3).
Then begin again . . .
