Foundations of Bachata Workshops (1 hr each)

Intro to Bachata

This workshop will get you started with a little knowledge about the culture, music, body movement fundamentals, and two basic steps of Bachata. You’ll end this workshop with a couple things you can apply instantly to your social dancing to give it some island flavor.

Essentials of Partnerwork

This workshop will get you started with the elements of partnerwork that create connection. We will also explore both open and closed frames, when they’re useful or comfortable, and tips for transitioning fluidly between them to provide you maximum smoothness on the dance floor. All dancers will learn to both lead and follow.

foundaitons of Music in Bachata

In this workshop, you’ll get the full breakdown of each of the 6 core instruments of Bachata and their roles within the music. Learning this will not only improve your enjoyment of the music, but it will make it easier to dance on time and later, once you’ve learned it more deeply, to dance musically.

Bachata Basic Steps, Part 1

In this workshop, you’ll learn 2-3 outside basic step variations both solo and in partnerwork. All dancers will learn to both lead and follow the shapes.

Bachata Basic Steps, Part 2

Keep the learning going by adding 2-3 more steps from the island to your repertoire to add variety, flavor, and freedom to your dancing. First practice them as a solo foundation and then in partnerwork, both as a lead and as a follow.

Flow Builder

In this workshop, you will practice leading and following all the shapes in mindful combinations to build automaticity and flow between them. This workshop must follow at least one Bachata basic steps workshop so learners have some tools to work with. This workshop cannot stand alone.

Seeds of Musicality

This workshop will call on your learning in the Music of Bachata workshop. You will briefly review the rhythmic sections and then you will be given one seed of musicality at a time to challenge yourself to implement in your dancing. All dancers will lead and follow. Dancers must know essential rhythms of Bachata and a couple basic steps from island Bachata to be able to follow along in this workshop.

Intense Focus Workshops (2-hour)

2-hour Box Step Variations Workshop

In this workshop, dancers will learn how to mix & match variations of one basic step of Bachata to create infinite possibilities. The learning will be done both solo and in partnerwork. This workshop will begin with the most simple form of the box step and dancers will learn approximately 10 variations to add variety, musicality, and personal flavor.

3 Hour Bachata Fundamentals Bootcamp

The goal of this bootcamp is to get dancers on the dance floor quickly, but also to spark their flame of interest in the music and culture of Bachata from Dominican Republic. In the first hour, learners will get a brief history of Bachata and a tour of the music across the decades, followed by a breakdown of the instruments and rhythms in the percussion section of Bachata. Finally, they will learn two basic steps with proper body movement.

In the 2nd hour, partnerwork concepts will be introduced so all dancers can learn the foundations of connection required to properly lead and follow. To accomplish this, all learners will practice leading and following, as learning both roles enhances skills in the role you prefer. Both an open and closed frame will be taught as well as tricks for switching between them.

In the 3rd hour, a few more basic steps will be introduced and practiced both solo and in partnerwork. Students will have left with enough content to have an enjoyable social dance, and hopefully plenty of curiosity to keep their learning going after the bootcamp has ended.

Patio Parties

Want to learn Bachata but have a hard time making it to classes? Patio parties bring the class to you! All you need to do is provide the space and round up a group of friends to enjoy the class and party with you. I will come to you and teach a Bachata lesson customized to your needs. After the lesson, we will put on music and social dance to give you the practice you need as well as the social dance experience you want. The length of the party can be tailored to your comfort level.