[CHOA’s Short-terview 14] "Complete-package dancers are emerging" — what Jack & Jill champion David is chasing in bachata these days

“Our philosophy is to protect the roots — to always protect the essence.”

Sharing his dance philosophy while talking about bachata social style and tricks

“Don't forget, bachata is the first name. Sensual bachata, modern bachata — those are just other names. What matters most is bachata itself.”

Naming the various bachata offshoot styles and stressing what's essential

“When you see salsa, you go, 'ah, that's salsa.' You see hip hop, breakdance, you recognize it. So when you see someone dance like this, you should be able to tell what it is. Even watching a cha-cha-chá, you should be able to think, 'ah, this is bachata.' That's our point, that's our goal.”

CONTEXTExplaining what makes bachata's identity distinct from other genres

“Say your style is hip hop. Mix hip hop with tradition and you get a good combination. Then at a Jack & Jill people say, 'that person dances bachata but mixes in hip hop too.' That's a good skill.”

Using an example to explain how to combine traditional bachata with your own style

“Our style isn't just dancing traditional. It's melting the basics and the roots into your own style — not changing your style.”

On absorbing tradition without losing your own individuality

“Around the world there are complete dancers. To me, complete means someone dances traditional, modern and sensual, all of them feeding into each other.”

Defining the idea of the 'complete artist'

“If you don't learn that, then at a competition when the DJ drops a track you'll freeze up — 'what am I supposed to do?' But if you know it, you can go, 'ah, I can do it like this.'”

CONTEXTUsing a Jack & Jill competition as an example of why you need to learn a range of styles

“Learn a lot — learn all the different styles out there right now. Become complete.”

His closing advice to dancers as the interview wraps up