Dance Versatility: The Case for Salsa, Bachata & Kizomba in Small Scenes

As someone who dances and organises events in a small social‑dance scene for example, Chennai (India) or Graz (Austria), I’ve learned that enthusiasm alone doesn’t fill a dance floor. Many of us dream of hosting exclusive Salsa, Bachata or Kizomba nights, yet turnout often isn’t strong enough to support single‑style events. When only a handful of people know a particular style, mixed socials can feel disjointed; dancers sit and wait for “their” song while the DJ plays music they don’t know how to dance to. Over time I realised the most practical—and fun—solution is to become a multi‑genre dancer and encourage others to do the same.

Why bother with multiple styles?

1. It makes you a versatile dancer

From personal experience, cross‑training across several dances forces you to adapt. Learning to lead or follow in Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba means you can jump up for almost every song at a mixed social instead of watching from the sidelines. Versatility isn’t just about having more steps in your repertoire; it makes you more confident and ready for anything the DJ throws at you. Research on cross‑training in the performing arts suggests that cultivating skills in more than one discipline broadens a performer’s range and opens up more opportunities

2. It broadens your dance vocabulary

Trying different dances has introduced me to moves and concepts I never would have encountered if I’d stuck to one style. Exploring the steps and partnerwork in one style helps to be creative in another style and helps to dance out of the box. Each style teaches something unique, and sometimes you discover that a style you didn’t expect to like becomes your new favourite. Taking multiple classes gives you a chance to experiment and find the music and movement that resonate with you

3. It sparks creativity and connection

Switching between salsa’s linear patterns, the circular motion of Cuban turns and kizomba’s smooth, close embrace has enriched my improvisation. The more styles I learn, the more I notice common principles—lead‑and‑follow dynamics, frame connection and weight transfer—that apply across genres. When you can draw on these shared foundations, you start to improvise more confidently and bring fresh ideas into each dance. The variety keeps dancing exciting and prevents you from feeling stuck in a rut.

4. It keeps you healthy and prevents injuries

Mixing up your training isn’t just good for creativity; it’s good for your body. Each dance uses different muscles and movement patterns. Bachata’s sensual body rolls and isolations strengthen the core and upper body, while salsa shines boost cardio endurance. Varying your movement prevents overuse injuries and builds balanced strength. Research in sports medicine links higher physical fitness with better dance performance and fewer injuries, and cross‑training through diverse dance styles is an enjoyable way to build that fitness.

5. It strengthens the community

In a small scene, we can’t afford to divide ourselves by style. When everyone knows at least the basics of salsa, bachata and kizomba, mixed socials become more inclusive. New dancers feel welcome because there’s always someone willing to dance with them, and experienced dancers spend less time waiting and more time dancing. As more people learn multiple styles, the community grows, and eventually we may have enough dancers to support style‑specific nights. Until then, knowing a little bit of everything helps us all have more fun together.

Tips from my own journey

- Explore sub‑styles. Salsa comes in Los‑Angeles (on1), New‑York (on2) and Cuban varieties. Bachata has sensual, moderna and dominicana flavours. Kizomba branches into traditional kizomba, urbankiz and tarraxo. Start with the fundamentals of each genre, then dive into the sub‑styles that catch your interest.

- Stay curious and keep learning. Attend workshops, practise with different partners and ask questions. Curiosity keeps your dancing fresh and helps you avoid plateaus.

- Respect the roots.  

Learn about the music and cultural origins of each dance. Understanding the history of Afro‑Cuban or Dominican bachata deepens your musicality and appreciation.

- Support your local scene.  Show up to mixed‑style socials, encourage friends to try new genres and host practise sessions. A supportive, inclusive community attracts more dancers and makes it easier to organise events.

Conclusion

Until our local scene is large enough to hold separate Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba nights, learning multiple styles is the best way to keep socials fun and engaging. The more styles you know, the less time you spend sitting out and the more creative and connected your dancing becomes. Embrace curiosity, explore different sub‑styles and share your passion with others. In the long run, broadening your technique and knowledge will make you a better dancer—whether you’re grooving to a Tarraxo beat or hitting a complex on2 salsa break.

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About the Author:  

Arun Pauer is a scientist turned dancer with nearly 16 years of teaching experience in Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba. Having taught and performed in over 25 countries, he is actively shaping the social dance scene in Graz and Chennai. Whether you're new to dancing or a seasoned social dancer, there’s always something to discover.

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