MERENGUE classes in medellin

Merengue dancing is something everyone should learn to fully enjoy social events in Medellin, Colombia. Merengue is often heard at bars with crossover music and at any special occasion, such as weddings, birthdays, 15-year old celebrations (in Spanish, known as “fiestas de 15 años” or “quinceañeros(as)”), etc.

Here is some basic information about merengue, to get you started:

  • Merengue has simple steps to begin dancing with a partner.

  • While salsa and bachata dancing require an understanding of an 8-count and a 1-3-5-7 tempo, merengue is based on simpler 1-2 count.

  • To learn to dance merengue, fundamental concepts include understanding the rhythm, your own weight on the floor, how to shift your weight and hips from side to side, how to hold and guide your partner, and how to make changes based on the speed of the music.

  • Merengue is generally danced with a partner in a closed position. The leader generally begins with the left foot and the follower generally begins with the right foot. The leader holds the follower’s waist or lower back with his/her right hand and/or arm and the follower’s right hand or right side with his/her left hand and/or arm. Both leader and follower slightly bend their knees to more easily shift their weight and hips from side to side. The leader’s and follower’s hips move in the same direction. When doing turns, the leader changes to an open position and stays connected with one or both of the follower’s hands.

  • Merengue instruments include the drum (tambora), güira, accordion and the guitar.

  • Some of the top merengue artists include Bonny Cepeda, Chichí Peralta, Elvis Crespo, Eddy Herrera, Fernando Villalona, Juan Luis Guerra, Los Hermanos Rosario, Miriam Cruz, Rikarena, Sergio Vargas and Toño Rosario.

  • The origin of the word merengue is related to the dessert made from egg whites (Spanish word “meringue”), and possibly the sound made by the whipping of the eggs.

  • Merengue music and dancing began in the Dominican Republic in the nineteenth century.

DANCEFREE offers private merengue classes, in person in Medellin, Colombia, and online via Zoom and Google Meet. Our in-person classes are 7 days a week and our online classes are on weekdays only, subject to availability. We have experienced merengue instructors and teach students of all levels, from new (no experience) to expert. If you would like to take private merengue classes, click here to view the steps for beginning private classes.