Next series starts Sept 2nd

Every Wed - San Francisco, CA

Every Tues & Thurs - San Jose, CA

Baychata Dance Academy

First International Bachata Sensual Academy in Bay Area, California

Kornel and Catharine

We’re thrilled to welcome Kornel & Catharine, two internationally recognized Bachata Sensual-Fusion instructors from Krakow, Poland, to the Bay Area starting September 2025 for a special 1-year residency at our academy. Known for their appearances at top festivals like Bachata King, Munich Bachata Fest, Bailame, El Sol, Adicto, and events in Australia, they bring world-class experience and a deep passion for teaching. Their classes are open to all levels—from beginners to advanced dancers, instructors, and performers—and they are beloved not only for their talent, but also for their genuine care and dedication to student growth.

Kornel blends street styles like hip-hop and dancehall into his bachata, with a strong focus on musicality, technique, and emotional connection. He began teaching just months after starting dance, a testament to his drive and skill. Catharine brings elegance, spontaneity, and heartfelt expression to her movement, offering clear, detailed, and transformative instruction. Together, they offer a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and elevate your bachata sensual to the next level.

Playlist

3 Videos

Course Schedule

Certification Program

Baychata Dance Academy is thrilled to announce the first bachata sensual certification program in the USA. Our instructors, Kornel & Catharine, will be accessing your dance ability through competency skills taught in the academy. By completing the required number of courses and passing a dance examination, certificate awards can be granted for Premier Dancer, Master Dancer and Baychata Certified Instructor. To learn more about our certification program, click the image flyers below.

Courses Offered

8-Week Course (starting week of Sept. 2)

  Each course meets once a week

Bachata Sensual-Fusion Foundations is a progressive course designed to build your technique, body control, and connection in both Bachata Sensual and Fusion styles. You’ll learn essential footwork, isolations, waves, and leading/following mechanics, while exploring elements from urban and contemporary dance. Perfect for intermediate-level dancers or improvers, this course helps you dance with fluidity, confidence, and musical expression

Body Movement & Isolation for Bachata is a technique-focused course designed to help dancers develop control, fluidity, and expression through intentional body movement. You’ll train core isolations—hips, chest, shoulders, and head—as well as smooth transitions, posture, and coordination. This course strengthens your ability to interpret music, enhance sensual elements, and move with greater confidence both in solo work and partner dancing. Ideal for dancers of all levels looking to elevate their style and connection through clean, expressive movement.

Leading & Following in Bachata is a connection-based course focused on the fundamental techniques that make partner dancing smooth, responsive, and enjoyable. Dancers will learn how to create clear signals (for leads) and active responses (for follows), emphasizing frame, tension, timing, and body awareness. The course covers how to build trust, adapt to different partners, and apply concepts in both traditional and sensual styles. Perfect for all levels, this training deepens your understanding of non-verbal communication and elevates your social dancing experience.

Advanced Social Combinations in Bachata is a dynamic course designed for experienced dancers looking to expand their social dancing vocabulary with creative, musical, and challenging partnerwork. This course focuses on fluid transitions, directional changes, dynamic patterns, and advanced use of sensual elements like waves, head rolls, and footwork variations. You’ll refine your lead/follow skills, improve responsiveness, and learn how to apply combinations naturally on the social floor with flow and precision. Ideal for dancers comfortable with fundamentals and ready to level up their style and creativity.

Musicality is an expressive course designed to help dancers connect deeply with the music and interpret it with intention, style, and creativity. You’ll learn to identify musical structure, instruments, breaks, and emotional cues—and translate them into movement through timing changes, body movement, footwork accents, and partner dynamics. This course trains both leads and follows to dance with the music, not just to it, enhancing your ability to improvise, express, and connect on a whole new level. Perfect for intermediate and advanced dancers looking to elevate their musical interpretation.

Traditional Elements in Bachata Sensual is a foundational course that bridges the roots of Dominican-style bachata with the flow of sensual partnerwork. Dancers will explore key traditional elements such as syncopated footwork, rhythmic variations, turns, and playful partner interaction—all while learning how to blend them seamlessly into the smooth, expressive movements of Bachata Sensual. This course emphasizes musical connection, cultural understanding, and the balance between rhythm and flow, making it ideal for dancers who want to honor the essence of bachata while evolving their personal style.

Solo Styling & Footwork in Couple is a unique course that focuses on integrating individual expression within partner dancing. Both leads and follows will develop their own footwork, body movement, and styling while maintaining connection and musical synchronicity with their partner. The course explores how to add personal flair—through isolations, accents, and rhythm changes—without disrupting flow or lead/follow dynamics. Ideal for intermediate and advanced dancers, this training enhances creativity, coordination, and chemistry within the couple, making your social dancing more dynamic and expressive.

Performance Team is a training-focused course designed for dancers ready to push their limits through choreography, stage presence, and team dynamics. Blending the fluidity of Bachata Sensual with the creativity of Fusion elements, this course develops advanced partnerwork, body movement, musicality, and synchronized formations. Dancers will refine technique, precision, and expression while learning a full choreography to be performed at select events or showcases. Commitment, consistency, and a passion for growth are key—ideal for intermediate to advanced dancers looking to level up their artistry and performance skills in a supportive team environment.

Interested in joining the Open House?

Please fill out Google Registration form below:

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Course Registration

1. Sensual-Fusion Foundations (SF) – Wed 7-8 pm

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