The Team Sport Approach to Dance

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Drills and practice build confidence for any dance, anywhere.

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From Baseball to Bachata

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I didn’t grow up in a studio. I grew up on the field. From eight to nineteen, my life was warmups, drills, and scrimmages. Season after season, I learned what it meant to prepare like an athlete and play like part of a team.

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That’s why I don’t teach choreography or staged routines. My discipline and joy came from endless reps, a coach’s whistle, and the rhythm of game day — not from memorizing a script.

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And bachata? It’s the same.

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Practice vs. Game Day

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The studio is our practice field. That’s where we drill, experiment, and put in the work. The social is game day — the music is up, the energy is alive, and every dance is a little different.

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If you’ve prepared, game day doesn’t feel like pressure. It feels like play. In baseball, you can’t fix your swing once you step onto the field — you show up with what you’ve built in practice. In dance, it’s the same: your confidence comes from preparation, and then you let go.

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Of course, practice was never perfect. There were always those teammates who tried to make everyone laugh in the worst possible moments — like when the coach was mid-lecture after an error. You had to avoid eye contact or risk the whole team running laps. In the moment, it was frustrating. But looking back, it was a reminder: the coach is there to drill discipline, to push you, to make sure every rep matters. But at the end of the day, we were playing a game we loved. The same is true for dance. You want to grow, but you also can’t forget to enjoy the game.

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Rhythm Over Rules

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That’s also why I don’t really count when I dance. The only time I count is in class, so we’re speaking the same language. Once the music starts, I’m listening for instruments, not numbers.

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In the Dominican Republic, timing is like an accent. Families, towns, and regions all pass down their own way of stepping — some on one, some on two, some on three or four. Before the internet and big socials, each city had its own style. What mattered wasn’t the number, but the feel.

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Counting helps beginners. But real freedom comes when you stop counting and start listening.

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How We Build at Tres Golpes

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That’s why I teach like a coach trains a team: warmups and drills for foundation, scrimmage-style practice with partners, and game day at socials where everything comes together. Our socials aren’t about performances or pressure. They’re about connection, flow, and fun.

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Because bachata doesn’t just live in studios or on stages — it lives everywhere. In kitchens, in backyards, at family parties, in colmados. Socials are just our way of recreating that spirit today, bringing people together who love the music and the culture.

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And the goal is to dance with anyone, anywhere, at any level. From grandma to a pro, every dance should feel good. If an advanced dancer can’t connect with a beginner, they’re not really leading. What makes a dance special isn’t how many syncopations you do — it’s matching energy, enjoying the beat, and sharing a moment.

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That’s why we prepare in class and let loose on the floor. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about putting on a show. It’s about playing the game we love — together.

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So come dance with us. Step into the field.

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