Bachata Levels at Refinery Dance

Bachata is a vibrant social dance built on connection, designed to be shared with everyone from close friends to new faces on the dance floor. Unlike rehearsed stage routines, it is a spontaneous, shared language where leaders and followers use rhythm and body movement to "converse" in the moment. At Refinery, we teach you this language so you can step onto any social floor in the world and feel instantly at home within the community.

Our goal at Refinery Dance is to create versatile, well rounded social dancers. Therefore, our teaching methodology incorporates Bachata Sensual, moderna, traditional and fusion techniques.

Beginner (The First Step)

When: Sundays 2 - 3pm
Best for: Absolute first-timers or those with "two left feet."
The Experience: This is where your journey starts. We strip away the intimidation of dance and focus on the heartbeat of Bachata: rhythm, basic footwork, and the confidence to step onto a social floor for the first time. No partner is required, and no prior experience is expected. We’re here to show you that anyone can dance—provided they have the right foundation.

  • Focus: Timing, basic turns, and social dance etiquette.

Foundations – Sunday (The Deep Dive)

When: Sundays 3 - 4pm
Best for: Students who have caught the "Bachata bug" and want to understand the why behind the movement. Also great for those who have been learning socially!
The Experience: Once you’ve mastered the basics, we begin the refining process. This class is designed to bridge the gap between "stepping to the beat" and "feeling the dance." We dive into the essential techniques of lead-and-follow, body mechanics, and the fundamental structures of both Sensual and Traditional Bachata.

Foundations 2 -
(The Pre-Intermediate Bridge)

When: Thursdays 7 - 8pm
Best for: Experienced dancers who want to level up their precision.
The Experience: This is our most critical class for those serious about their growth. It is a technical workshop designed to "clean" your dancing. We focus on the high-level details that distinguish a social dancer from a technician. Note: This class is a mandatory prerequisite for our Intermediate series to ensure every dancer in the room has the same high standard of safety and connection.

  • Focus: Precision of frame, advanced body movement, and Sensual Bachata safety.

Intermediate (The Refinement)

When: Thursdays 8:15pm - 9:15pm
Best for: Confident social dancers who have cleared the Thursday Foundations hurdle.
The Experience: This is where we push the boundaries of what you thought was possible on the social floor. Using the concepts perfected in Foundations, we explore complex turn patterns, intricate Sensual body isolations, and authentic Dominican footwork. This level isn't just about learning new sequences; it’s about refining your connection to your partner and the music to create a seamless, effortless social dance.

  • Focus: Flow, musicality, and advanced Sensual Bachata textures.

The Solo Lab: Body Movement & Styling

When: Tuesdays (1.5 Hours) 7pm - 8:30pm
Best for: Dancers of all levels who want to stop "just following steps" and start moving with true autonomy, flow, and control.
The Experience: You can only be as good a partner as you are a solo dancer. This 90-minute intensive is designed to build the "engine" behind your dance. We step away from partner work to focus entirely on your own body. Through a combination of dance-specific conditioning, isolation drills, and authentic footwork, we help you find your unique style. Whether you want to master the fluid body rolls of Sensual Bachata or the crisp, rhythmic footwork of the Dominican Republic, this class gives you the time and space to refine the details that usually get missed in a partner class.

  • Focus: Total body isolation, core stability/conditioning, authentic Dominican footwork, and gender-neutral styling for the social floor.