Dance has always been a part of my life. I am most happy when I am doing any kind of dancing and I have definitely learnt and taught quite a range of styles:- Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop, Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Samba and Zouk. But I have to say Bachata was never top of my list. Now don’t get me wrong, its not that I didn’t like it. I just saw it as a perfect opportunity to grab a drink or cool off outside 🙂
Like any dance, if you have a great connection with the person you’re dancing with then it’s fantastic no matter what it is but let’s face it; you don’t always have that connection. (And if we did it wouldn’t be so special) That’s not a bad thing but to me I always thought that if you didn’t have that then Bachata was kinda (a little)…………Boring.
That was until I fell into partnership with Juan………. Now, I am a performing addict!!! Give me a chance to be on stage and I am there so when Juan said he was looking for a new partner I put my hand up and said PICK ME!! PICK ME!!! To be honest I had seen Juan perform ‘Bachata Moderna’ plenty of times and thoroughly enjoyed it but I had not much knowledge of the style. So we had a social dance one night and ladies if you have not had the pleasure of dancing with Juan then put it on your bucket list!!! He had me moving my hips and crossing my feet in a whole new direction!!!
Now, evolution is inevitable in life and we have seen many styles of dance evolve from its roots and I am a firm believer that if you learn a dance then you should understand and learn where it came from and all that it encompasses no matter what your style preference is. So I am in no way saying Moderna style is better than any other style but suddenly Bachata became a lot more interesting to me!
For those who are not familiar with this style then I would suggest the best thing to do would be to watch some clips. It is easier for you to see it then me to explain it. But some specific things I like about this style are the crosses, turn patterns that change directions, and there are plenty of opportunities to style for the ladies!!
So I guess what I am saying is that I have been converted!! And Bachata has definitely moved up my list. To any Bachata virgins out there thinking of learning I would highly recommend it and to anyone thinking of learning the Moderna style then as a follower I would love to have more ‘Moderna’ style dancers to dance with.
Either way, no matter what you dance, come find me on the dance floor 🙂
Pascale D
Pascale Dernocoure is a well-known Salsera / Bachatera in Australia, having taught thousands of students around the world. Pascale is the Director of Salsa Viva, and also the main Bachatera.
Wow – this is the first partnership I’ve actually liked watchin on youtube since partnership with Katrina Quintal. Will we get to see a choreo at SIBF’11? Pascale makes this look good.
Hy Sy, thanks! yes we are working on a new choreography for the SIBF 2011 – something different
I answered the Survey, and I hope new choreographies, always sensual and free style.