Sabor Dominicano Spotligth: Jr el Artista

3-Hour Bachata Workshop | Dive into the roots, the rhythm, and the realness! Straight from the heart of the Dominican Republic to stages around the world, Jr el Artista brings his signature style, rich with flavour, soul, and stories. Join us for a deep-dive into Dominican bachata — not just the steps, but the feeling behind them.

Focus: Connection. Expression. Musicality

Location: SoundCube

Gasometer, Tower C

Registration only!

Jr el Artista (Dominican Republic / Netherlands)

Junior was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where bachata wasn’t something you had to look for, it was always there. At home, on the street, during birthdays, barbecues, or just a random afternoon. He learned by dancing with his aunts and cousins, and later by watching videos of dancers he admired. Dance was never a “plan”, just something he enjoyed. But somewhere along the way, that changed.

Over the years, bachata became more than just a hobby. It became part of how he expressed himself. One thing led to another, and eventually he found himself teaching, first locally, then internationally. These days, most people in the scene know him as Jr el Artista. He’s taught in countries like the U.S., Mexico, India, France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden.

Now based in the Netherlands, Junior runs La Ñapa Dance Academy in Groningen, where he teaches both bachata and salsa. His style is grounded in musicality, connection, and expression. He likes to go beyond just teaching moves, what matters to him is sharing what the music feels like, and helping others find their own way of expressing it.

He’s also the founder of La Tradición Bachata Festival, a weekend full of dancing, music, food and community. The 2025 edition takes place on September 12–14 in Groningen.