Popular Styles of Bachata
Bachata has a rich history dating back to the 1960s. As it has moved between countries, some distinctive branches have separated out
Traditional Bachata
Also referred to as Authentic Bachata or Dominican Bachata, this is the style of bachata you'd see danced in the Dominican Republic itself.
Emphasising quick syncopated footwork and strong connection to the melodies within the music, Traditional Bachata can at first seem daunting but allows great freedom of expression for the individual dancer.
As Perth's first traditional bachata focused school, our goal is to help you to connect authentically with the real roots of bachata, fitting you in right on the dancefloors of Santo Domingo!
Modern Bachata
The most common styles of bachata you may see out on the dance floor! Fusion, Urban or Club Style bachata (among other names) is the modernised version of bachata incorporating elements from other dance styles as it left the Dominican Republic in the 90s
The Island Touch bachata that we teach on Thursday in Karrinyup is a fusion style, featuring Traditional, Modern and Sensual influences to give you the best foundation for your dance journey!
Bachata Sensual
Developed in Spain by Korke and Judith over 15 years ago, Bachata Sensual is a mainstay in Europe, USA and yes, Perth!
Longer movements, sensual body isolations and theatrical musicality emphasise bachata's passionate roots, while providing great material for social media!
Our level 2 classes mix in Bachata Sensual techniques and patterns to build your dance vocabulary further, preparing you for whatever may get thrown at you on the social dance floor!
BachaZouk
A further evolution of Bachata Sensual, BachaZouk officially takes notes from Brazilian Zouk, blending in its smooth flowing moves and applying them to bachata rhythms
Signature Styles
Signature styles can typically be traced back to a single authoritative source, often the artists that teach and certify the distinctive style they have named.
While Bachata Sensual is originally Korke and Judith's signature style, it has been in the wild for so long that the Sensual brand has extended to define an entire category!
ConRi Style
Although a mainstay in the Bachata Sensual scene for over 10 years, with early breakout success on YouTube, Cornel and Rithika decided to further codify their own style as ConRi, offering certification courses
With roots in hip hop and bachata sensual, ConRi style focuses on blending swift transitions, sharp techniques, and smooth body movement
Bachata Influence
The latest entry in the bachata fusion family, Bachata Influence was formed in 2020 when European artists Melvin & Gatica partnered together and created a distinct Instagram-friendly brand of bachata blending hip hop, pauses and is primarily danced to modern bachata remixes
Perth's first Traditional Bachata school
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional and Moderna Bachata are the best starting points for beginners. Because Bachata has a slower tempo than Salsa and a straightforward basic step, starting with traditional footwork and fundamental partner connection builds a rock-solid foundation before progressing into more complex turn patterns or body isolations.
BachatAmor is the first dance school in Perth to emphasise Traditional Bachata in its core syllabus, giving students authentic musicality and footwork skills from day one. Alongside traditional foundations, our Thursday night classes in Karrinyup also integrate Moderna turn patterns and contemporary partner connection so you feel confident dancing to any track on the social floor.