Round dancing began as folk dances from many countries which immigrants brought to the United States.  It continues to evolve and now embraces various elements from both international and American styles of ballroom dance (with many of the rhythms also beginning as folk dances from various countries and which themselves continue to evolve and are becoming closely aligned).  In round dancing, then, each rhythm may incorporate elements from both major styles of dancing, often with no distinction made between styles, and other rhythms are also embraced and new ones are being introduced.

Note the two branches for both International and American styles; some rhythms occur in both styles.  American style can be traced to two alternative influences: that of Fred Astaire or Arthur Murray. In ballroom, a competitor winning in the ten International style rhythms is a “ten dance champion”; a competitor winning in the nine American style rhythms is a “nine dance champion.”

Linked files provide supplemental notes about the particular rhythm such as: 

• How and why to perform various figures for efficiency or effectiveness
• The character and origins of the rhythm
• Comparisons of International and American style when appropriate
• Round dance figures listed by phase with sources for how to dance them