Once Upon a December: A New English Country Dance

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Choreographed by me for the event Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Ball, which I held on December 16, 2025.

If you want to use my introduction and/or choreography, contact me beforehand to tell me about it and then give me credit. :) 

Song: "Once Upon a December" from the 1997 film Anastasia 

Sheet Music: https://musescore.com/user/57674080/scores/10070743

Note: For the final progression of the dance, instruct the string quartet to play the key change section before the ritardando final section, skip the ritardando final section, and end.

How I introduced this dance at my ball

This dance is not for one of Jane Austen's works but for Jane herself, because she was born in December.

Once Upon a December

Longways proper
Duple minor
Waltz traveling and setting steps

Introduction
  • 24 beats: Honor your partner.
    • Gentlemen bow and Ladies curtsy.
Dance
  • 24 beats: Right and left (p. 55–58).
  • 12 beats: Three-quarter chain figure of four.
    • The first Lady and first Gentleman join right hands and pull, changing places. The first Lady and second Gentleman join left hands and pull, changing places, while the second Gentleman does ditto with the second Lady. The second couple stays in first place while the first couple joins right hands, pulls, and changes positions to places, which completes the figure.
  • 12 beats: Set forward and back.

Repeat whole dance from progressed position.

Notes: You will need an ASCAP license to use the song at your event if it qualifies as a public performance (check with ASCAP) and your venue doesn't have a blanket license (check with your venue).


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