CULTURE THROUGH TRADITION
Dominican bachata grew out of everyday life: kitchens, patios, family gatherings, neighborhood parties, and the music people grew up with. People learned by listening, watching, trying things, and dancing with one another.
Tres Golpes brings that way of learning into the studio with clear guidance and room to try, adjust, and keep dancing. You build movement, timing, and partner communication while developing your own relationship with bachata and the culture behind it.
HOW CLASSES WORK
Wednesdays build your social dance foundation.
Thursdays expand how you use it.
WEDNESDAYS
El Mangú
Social Dance Foundations
Learn the movement, timing, and partner communication that help you feel more comfortable social dancing.
Early in class, you dance with a partner using what you already know. From there, we build a combination move by move, moving between partner work and individual technique so you can understand how each movement should feel and communicate it more clearly. The final part of class helps you refine what you built and use it more comfortably with different partners.
THURSDAYS
Los Tres Golpes
Musicality · Connection · Creativity
Learn to hear more in the music, communicate more clearly with a partner, and make your own choices while you dance.
We begin with Wednesday’s combination as shared material, whether or not you attended. Then we take it apart through different songs, connection drills, and creative exercises. You learn how the movement can change with the music, how to communicate more clearly as a lead or follow, and how to move beyond the memorized order without overthinking every choice.
Wednesday and Thursday are not beginner and intermediate levels.
Both are beginner-friendly, open-level social dance classes. Each stands on its own, so you can attend either day—or take both to build your foundation and expand how you use it.
THE MONTHLY CYCLE
Each month follows a four-week cycle that explores bachata’s roots, evolution, and how its changing sound shapes the way you dance.
ESSENTIALS
Week 1
Learn what gives bachata its identity through the artists, movement, and feeling at the heart of the dance.
TRADITION
Week 2
Explore bachata’s earlier, guitar-centered sound and learn how its loose, playful energy guides the way you move.
EVOLUTION
Week 3
Explore how bachata’s sound grew and changed, and how shifts in weight and emotion shape the way you move.
APPLICATION
Week 4
Bring the full range into social dancing, where you learn to respond comfortably to different music and different partners.
Next cycle: October 2026 · September 30–October 22
You do not have to wait for the beginning of a cycle. Start any week or choose either day.
Every class stands on its own within a repeating monthly cycle, so you can keep building and catch anything you miss the next time around.
WHAT MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES
Both Weekly Classes
Attend El Mangú and Los Tres Golpes every week, including the 30-minute práctica after each class.
La Bandera Social
Join the monthly La Bandera Social at no additional cost while your class membership remains active.
Online Community
Access class recaps, playlists, and learning resources in the online community while your membership remains active.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Choose the starting point that feels right for you.
CLASS DETAILS
Wednesdays & Thursdays
7:00–8:30 PM Class
8:30–9:00 PM Práctica
Ripley-Grier Studios
131 W 72nd St
New York City
Beginner-friendly
Open to all levels
Progress from where you are
Práctica
Extra time to practice, dance, and get feedback
A FEW MORE QUESTIONS
Who teaches the classes?
I’m Edwin Alexander, the founder and instructor behind Tres Golpes. I teach the weekly classes and built this approach around what I would want if I were learning everything again from the beginning: clear instruction, useful practice, and room to understand how everything works together.
Do I need a partner?
No. A lot of people come alone. We rotate partners during class, and much of what you learn can also be practiced independently.
What should I wear or bring?
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can move in. Sneakers, dance sneakers, or socks are all fine. Bring water and, if you have them, a small gym towel or portable fan. The studios can get warm, but we take breaks during class.
What happens after I sign up?
After checkout, you’ll be taken to a confirmation page with your next steps. You’ll also receive your receipt and class information by email. If you begin a monthly membership, you’ll receive a separate invitation to the online community.
What if I still feel nervous?
That is normal. It took me a few weeks to convince myself to attend my first salsa class in 2022. That one decision led to years of classes, travel, friendships, and eventually Tres Golpes.
You do not have to wait until you stop feeling nervous. Come nervous. You’ll have room to ask questions, learn at your own pace, and find your footing.
Still have questions?
If there’s something I didn’t cover, you can email me directly at edwin@tresgolpesbachata.com.
