Discover the key qualities that define the Best Bachata Instructor.

This article is just for you if you want to learn what to look for when choosing Bachata instructors who will accompany you in the coming months or even years of your dance journey. They play a crucial role in determining whether your enthusiasm fades at the very beginning or, with their support, you step confidently into the world of Bachata and embrace the challenges of dancing.

Who are your teachers? Are they truly passionate about dance?
How do the teachers conduct their classes? Do they follow a structured system?
What should you consider when choosing Bachata teachers?
Do your teachers continue to grow and develop as dancers?
Great Bachata teachers are the ones who truly teach you!
What do good teachers emphasize in their teaching?
Should teachers be a source of motivation?
Are your teachers a true authority for you in dance?

Who are your teachers? Are they truly passionate about dance? Every student starting a Bachata course should have a clear understanding of who their instructors are and what experience they have in teaching. Instructors with years of experience can help you feel comfortable and confident on the dance floor, of course, as long as you pay attention to their advice and valuable guidance. Everyone starts somewhere, including your instructor. That’s why a good teacher with experience working with students will be able to guide you on your dance journey, if you allow them to. Believe it or not, people who look amazing on the dance floor at parties are not always great instructors. However, professional instructors will always present themselves well and dance skillfully at social events. Many teachers are unaware of how much they still don’t know and fail to realize that they may be using incorrect dance techniques. Repeating these mistakes in Bachata classes negatively impacts students, reinforcing bad habits and false beliefs about dancing. Now, let’s talk about what makes a great Bachata instructor. Someone who wants to be a true authority for their students should introduce themselves properly, both through social media and in person at the beginning of the course. Future students should have the opportunity to see who they will be learning from even before the classes start. An instructor should inspire trust in their students. Most people choose their teacher by trying out different classes. However, if you don’t want to waste time or face disappointment, it’s worth checking how a particular instructor dances beforehand, even online. I have to be honest with you, there are only a handful of true dance enthusiasts in Poland who not only have instructional experience but are also committed to continuous growth in this field. And yet, we have hundreds of Bachata instructors. That’s why it’s worth taking a moment to research your future teacher before enrolling in a course.

How do teachers conduct their classes? Do they follow a structured system? Attending several consecutive Bachata classes, you may notice that your instructor follows a pre-planned structure. Classes always begin with a warm-up and end with a recorded summary of the material. This is a common practice among most dance instructors. However, what happens between the beginning and the end of the class makes the difference between skilled teachers and those who ended up in this role by chance, without a true passion for teaching. Ultimately, a well-structured middle section of the class is what makes you eager to return for more lessons with a particular instructor. A consistent teaching program reflects an instructor’s deep knowledge and experience. As a student, you should pay attention to this aspect during your Bachata classes. Instructors should promote a supportive learning approach that helps students overcome initial fears and transform them into motivation for growth and achieving their dance goals. Remember that experienced teachers adjust the pace of the class to the group, ensuring that an overload of new movements and figures doesn’t become overwhelming. There are many factors that indicate a well-conducted class. However, it’s essential to remember that every instructor has their own unique style and years of experience behind them, which means there are as many teaching methods as there are instructors. The most important thing is that the teaching style and instructor you choose align with your learning preferences. Based on my personal experience, I can share what I paid attention to when selecting my instructors. However, keep in mind that this is my subjective opinion:

A well-conducted warm-up with numerous body isolations, body movements, and footwork was very important to me.
I enjoyed the atmosphere during the classes, which was neither too relaxed nor too strict, but at the same time full of valuable technical tips and advice from the teachers. Of course, there was always room for a funny comment or joke from the instructor to lighten the mood.
A teacher who dances with students during class is a true gem.
The instructor who provided many dance inspirations that I could analyze on my own at home was invaluable to me, such as through knowledge of Bachata couples in Poland and around the world, or recommendations for Bachata music.
In more advanced groups, recording students during choreography classes helped me improve my skills faster, correct mistakes, and enhance my styling.
The focus on learning through goals, set by students every month since the beginning of their Bachata journey, was a great approach from the instructors.
Receiving weekly updates from the instructors about Bachata parties and practice sessions, both at dance schools and elsewhere, was very valuable to me. I went to my first party right after my first class. Can you believe it?
Getting information on when to attend your first festival and how to prepare for it was also crucial. I had already attended my first big festival after just two months of learning. I highly recommend it!
Finally, the teachers would review the material from the class, which was extremely helpful for the students. Thanks to this, we could independently review the material at home or in additional training sessions, thus preparing better for the next classes.

I hope these few points will help you imagine your classes with great instructors.

What should you pay attention to when choosing Bachata teachers? I will answer this question in bullet points to make it clearer for you. However, please keep in mind that these points reflect my personal opinion.

Their dance background and experience as a dance instructor.
Whether dance and teaching Bachata are their true passion or just a way to make extra money.
Their sense of humor and ability to create a friendly atmosphere.
The technical feedback they provide during class when explaining figures or step combinations.
The teacher’s level of engagement during the class.
Whether they are open to answering students’ questions.
Whether they rotate during class and dance with the students.
The opportunity to get to know the instructor from a dance perspective: What is their dance style like? Do they dance technically? Do you like their dancing style? Do you think they could become your dance role model?
The positive energy during the class and their ability to inspire others with it.
The consistency of the classes and teaching program.
The preparation for the class—whether it is well-thought-out and not chaotic.
The dance-related information they provide.
Whether they encourage students to participate in practice sessions, workshops, and dance events outside the dance school, such as dance festivals.

Additionally, it’s worth considering whether the instructor possesses qualities of a good Bachata teacher, such as: charismatic, cheerful, funny, positive, demanding, motivating, patient, calm, and composed.

Do your teachers continue to grow and develop as dancers? Most instructors who treat Bachata as their passion view dance development as a natural process and an inseparable part of their journey. Bachata is constantly evolving, and techniques that dancers learned a decade ago are largely becoming outdated. Over the years, Bachata has been influenced by other dance styles, such as Tango, Salsa, and the currently very popular Zouk. An instructor who takes their role seriously and is deeply passionate about dance follows these trends, staying attuned to changes and new inspirations. They acquire knowledge from the internet, follow the best Bachata couples in the world, and grow by utilizing dance platforms. In addition, they participate in workshops and dance festivals several times a year, both in Poland and abroad. It’s these kinds of actions that enrich their teaching skills. Remember, your instructor is also a dancer, and for a dancer, aside from the hours spent in training, an essential element of growth is social dancing. Check if you spot your instructor at a social event, maybe you’ll even get the chance to dance with them!

Great Bachata teachers are the ones who truly teach you! Not all instructors are the same. As in every field, there are people in this profession who lack the calling to teach, talent, or the necessary knowledge of dance technique. Over the years, they repeat the same mistakes, both in their dancing and in the way they conduct classes. They are also unprepared psychologically and don’t know how to effectively lead a group, how to become a role model for their students, or how to inspire them to develop their dance passion. It’s often said that a good instructor is someone who can teach you, but that’s only part of the truth. As a student, you largely contribute to your learning process. If, for some reason, you lack the inner motivation to learn, no one can force you to do so. You will resist with all your might, sometimes even literally, until your frustration reaches a level where you quit the course, which is certainly something you don’t want! That’s why the role of a good teacher is to:

Help students identify their goals in dance.
Inspire students during classes.
Pay attention to proper dance technique.
Maintain a balance between motivating people and creating a relaxed, positive atmosphere in class.
Create an environment during classes where students will want to return.
Help students believe in themselves.
Provide a dose of positive energy and optimism during classes.
Ensure the safety of students and warn them about injuries resulting from improper technique.

What do good teachers emphasize in their teaching? A student comes to class unprepared, hasn’t reviewed the material from the last lesson, is late, skips warm-ups… What now? Find out what a good Bachata teacher focuses on:

The attentiveness of students in the present moment. During lessons and dancing, it’s important to stay focused to avoid injuries. Social conversations are best left for after class.
Repeating material from previous lessons.
Not being late for warm-up and not skipping it, as it’s a crucial part of the course, focusing on body isolations and basic body movement.
Maintaining hygiene and bringing clean clothes and changeable footwear to class.
Solo practice at home, and if possible, also practicing with a partner.
Performing steps and figures precisely and technically, following the instructor’s guidance.
Motivating students to participate in festivals, workshops, events outside of the dance school, as well as practica and workshops within the dance school.
Integrating students within the group, between groups, among different dance schools, and across cities.
Communication between student and instructor.
Setting a good example for students.
Encouraging physical well-being for students outside of dance classes.
Ensuring students remain focused during class on learning and instructor’s feedback.
Creating a sense of safety within the group, so that students feel they are part of a dance family, where they can support and motivate each other.

Should teachers be a source of motivation? Sometimes, students come to Bachata classes expecting only laughter, jokes, and fun. Of course, these elements are an important part of the lesson, but it’s essential to remember that the main goal of the class is to learn to dance. This means that the learning process itself cannot be skipped. A good dance teacher is like a father figure in the family, sometimes rewarding, sometimes giving a reprimand. Without a motivating teacher, progress in dance will not be as fast, and in some cases, it may even be impossible. Student motivation is based on:

Giving dance related advice.
Inspiring students to listen to Bachata music.
Encouraging them to watch top level dance couples.
Helping students set goals so they can continue to develop.
Motivating students to train outside of regular classes.
Motivating students to participate in Bachata workshops across Poland and abroad.
Encouraging dance related integration trips.
Sharing news and interesting facts from the world of Bachata.
Encouraging students to participate in choreographic projects that help eliminate bad habits and perfect movements to make them clean, precise, and free of unnecessary elements resulting from unconscious dancing.

Are your teachers a true authority for you in dance? “Authority” might seem like a somewhat outdated concept, but when it comes to dance instructors, it still holds immense importance. When you go to your first Bachata class, you usually expect to meet instructors for whom dance is their entire life and true passion. And indeed, many teachers have this approach, but not everywhere will you find people with such commitment. What is the reason for this? It stems from love for dance, years of experience, skills, thousands of hours spent in the training room, charisma, talent, and knowledge. An instructor who possesses these qualities is your true dance authority. If you find such a person, know that you don’t need to look any further, you’re in the right place. Your instructor, as your guide on your dance journey, will support you and celebrate your progress. Listen carefully to their advice, trust them fully, and soon you will become a 100% Bachata dancer, ready to conquer the world’s dance floors!

Author: Małgosia Andrzejewska