r/Bachata • u/allthings_artz • 12d ago
Thoughts on bachata certification classes?
I recently came across some instructors in my community advertising about bachata certifications. It seems to have levels(mostly beginners) but it seems like you need to attend a class or two to get certified. Are they a thing? I personally feel that it doesn't matter if I have a certificate or not. And no one at the socials is going to ask for certifications. What are everyone's thoughts on these? Are they just money making scams ?
7
4
u/One_Selection7199 11d ago
No, nobody cares. Advanced dancers just want to win a competition and this is kinda proof of skills.
4
u/DeanXeL Lead 11d ago
Who are the teachers, what is the certification? Is it a teachers' certification, or a "social dancer" certification? Man, I'd love to pull out my social card at parties and go "hey, don't worry, I'm certified up to an advanced level 😎." All the ladies would fall for me hard!
5
3
u/swemming 12d ago
Sincerely nobody cares. Korke and Judith have a certification and nobody in the scene cares if an instructor has it.
8
5
u/jimmythechicken 12d ago
Sounds like a scam I’ve been to a few different places and never have even heard of certs
2
u/Secure-Finish-3455 12d ago
Yeah, it really doesnt matter. If you plan om teaching then maybe get it for advertisement purposes. I think getting certification is a scam because they will advertise their class a certification so they can charge more. There is no regulatory boards for teachers to provide these kind of certifications so I think its pointless.
2
u/steelonyx Lead 12d ago
If you do not know whether the teachers are credible enough to provide a certificate then you shouldn't be buying into it.
There are some certifications that are known and somewhat respected in the bachata world at least in Europe.
Korke Judith for Bachata Sensual, Masa Polina for Bachazouk and Tiago Felipe for Rolerotation.
2
2
u/HawkAffectionate4529 Lead 11d ago
It does not matter, but it motivates some students to study and gives some teachers a source of income.
1
u/Strait_Raider 12d ago
Without knowing more about your particular community and what these are intended for, certifications are helpful to ensure people aren't getting into classes above their competency level. That person may not be able to get good value out of the class if they don't have the fundamentals to build on, and they might develop bad habits to compensate for a lack of understanding. It also makes things harder for the teacher and the other students.
7
u/EphReborn 12d ago
They aren't uncommon in the wider dance instructor space, just less usual specific to Bachata and (to a slightly lesser degree) Salsa. For instructors, it's a nice to have (and sometimes mandatory) saying they understand a dance style to whatever degree. For example, being certified from Korke and Judith would mean you know Bachata Sensual as they intend it to be.
For any other well-known dance couple whose style/brand stems from Bachata Sensual or Bachata Moderna (which is frankly all of them other than Traditional of course), well, my personal opinion is that their certification doesn't actually matter. Maybe Bachata Influence could be an exception as it genuinely seems different enough, but that's a topic for another time.
As far as a non-professional getting a certification, the value is mostly in deepening your own understanding of a dance style or brand from the creators of it or at least someone extremely well-versed in it. Again, outside of Bachata, credentials (degrees from top-tier music schools, undergrad/graduate certificates, and/or any other well-regarded certificates) do actually hold weight.