The Powerful Philosophy of LatinBootcamp: A 7-Year Journey

Our philosophy emphasises practical dancing over formal instruction, leading to more personalised style development. While traditional schools focus on choreography, we encourage creative expression and natural movement.

In 2018, LatinBootcamp emerged from founder Miquil Tjon Kon Fat's rich background in Rotterdam's event scene, where he had organised parties like Latin On Friday and Latin Panda at Club Nora on Coolsingel. After years of organising events since 2009 and developing websites since 2007, he was ready to create something different.

A striking observation from early workshops was the unusually high number of male leaders participating-a rarity in the Latin dance scene, where leaders are typically scarce. This unique dynamic would shape the LatinBootcamp's philosophy and teaching approach.

A Different Approach to Dance

LatinBootcamp began at Cafe Engels, whose first-floor layout perfectly suited weekend workshops. From the start, we distinguished ourselves from traditional dance schools with a revolutionary idea: learning the basics of salsa or bachata doesn't require endless lessons.

Our journey led us to the Westelijk Handelsterrein, where LatinBootcamp helped establish Avenue Nine. After pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic, we made a successful return in 2023, first to Westelijk Handelsterrein and then to The Social Hub in 2024 for a year.

For 2025, we're launching an exciting pilot programme at Zuidplein Theatre in Rotterdam Zuid-a move that promises to bring Latin dance to new communities and expand our impact across Rotterdam.

Our Team: The Heart of LatinBootcamp

A significant figure in shaping LatinBootcamp's teaching methodology was Rachaila Isenia. Her extensive experience in Latin dance and her work at Sisterhoops were instrumental in developing our unique philosophy. Through her approach to teaching and community building, she established the playful foundational principles that still guide us today. Throughout these six years, various coaches have helped students master the basics of salsa and bachata-always ensuring everyone has fun.

Currently, our dedicated dance coaches-Ramsley, Maria, Dylan, and Soesjiel-continue to embody and share this philosophy with our growing community. They bring their own expertise while maintaining the core values that make LatinBootcamp unique: accessibility, authenticity, and the joy of dancing.

Also take a look at the 3 reasons we don't use mirrors at LatinBootcamp.

Cultural Authenticity

We consciously teach traditional styles like Dominican Bachata and Cuban Salsa instead of performance-oriented LA Salsa or Bachata Sensual. This approach reflects how Latin dance authentically evolves in Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic-through family gatherings and social events.

Cultural authenticity forms the cornerstone of LatinBootcamp's philosophy. Miquil and Rachaila chose to teach traditional dance styles that emerged from genuine social situations in Latin America, rather than modern fusions or show dance.

With deep respect for these dances’ origins, from Dominican rhythms to Cuban traditions, LatinBootcamp preserves and shares this cultural heritage with new dancers.

The LatinBootcamp Experience

We're not just a dance school; we're a dance experience. Our slogan “Have just fun”-intentionally broken English-captures our international spirit, especially appealing to Rotterdam's expats. We conduct classes in English for accessibility, though our coaches are often Dutch-speaking as well.

Looking to the Future

As we enter 2025, LatinBootcamp is expanding to Theater Zuidplein Rotterdam with plans to reach other Dutch cities like Utrecht. We take pride in attracting dancers from Alkmaar, Den Bosch, and Zwolle who choose us for their first salsa and bachata steps.

Our Approach

At LatinBootcamp, we don't believe in endless lessons or complicated routines. Instead, we offer intensive workshops where you quickly learn the basics, so you can start social dancing right away. Our “Have just fun” mentality ensures that the learning process stays relaxed and enjoyable.

We strive to create an inclusive dance community where everyone is welcome, regardless of experience or background. Whether you're a complete beginner or have been dancing for years, at LatinBootcamp you'll find the space to grow and develop at your own pace.

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Mirrors: 3 Reasons We Absolutely Don't Like Them

Dancing without mirrors may seem challenging, but it can be beneficial to your development as a dancer. In this blog post, we will discuss the reasons why mirrors are not always our friend at Latin Bootcamp when it comes to improving the salsa and bachata dancing skills of our students.

1. The Importance of Connection and the Role of Mirrors

One of the primary reasons we consciously avoid mirrors while dancing is because they can distract us from our dance partners. If we focus too much on our reflections, we might miss the chance to create a stronger bond with our partner. This bond is usually built through eye contact and touch. Dancing is essentially about social interaction and maintaining a strong connection with your partner. Mirrors can interrupt this connection, causing unnecessary interruptions. That's why none of our locations, including our new home at The Social Hub Rotterdam, have mirrors.

The Connection At Salsa or Bachata Bootcamp Without Mirrors

2. The Pitfall of Overthinking Salsa and Bachata

Mirrors in a dance setting can often lead us to overthink our dance moves. When we see ourselves reflected, we might start focusing too much on every little detail of our dance performance. This level of scrutiny isn't always beneficial. In fact, it can contribute to feelings of self-consciousness and may lead us to overanalyze every move we make. This overanalysis can quickly turn into anxiety and self-doubt. These negative feelings can hinder our progress in learning new dance moves or perfecting ones we already know. Furthermore, they can also take away from the joy and pleasure of dancing.

However, when mirrors are taken out of the equation, we are able to shift our attention from how our dance looks to how it feels. This shift allows us to focus on the inherent feeling of the dance, encouraging our bodies to move in a more intuitive and natural way. We can let go of the external and often critical eye, and instead, immerse ourselves in the rhythm and flow of the dance. We can focus on the music, our partner, and the movements themselves, rather than how those movements look. This can lead to a more authentic and enjoyable dance experience.

3. The Distraction of Comparison

Lastly, mirrors can serve as a significant source of distraction during a salsa or bachata bootcamp. They not only divert our attention away from our partner, but they can also foster a competitive, and therefore stressful, environment. When we observe others dancing in the mirror, it becomes all too easy to slip into a comparison trap, measuring ourselves against them, which can be disheartening and discouraging. Without the presence of mirrors, we are free to concentrate on our personal progress and take pleasure in the dance without any external distractions.

No Mirrors at The Social Hub Library — Our New Home, The Library of The Social Hub Rotterdam

In summary, there are numerous compelling reasons why we advocate for a reduced reliance on mirrors during a salsa or bachata BootCamp at Latin Bootcamp. Mirrors can inadvertently erode the connection between partners, encourage overthinking and excessive self-criticism, and serve as a distracting element in a learning environment. Opting to dance without mirrors can allow us to focus more intently on the intrinsic feeling of the dance and foster a meaningful connection with our partner on a deeper, more emotional level. So, the next time you find yourself at a salsa or bachata bootcamp, try embracing the challenge of dancing without mirrors. You might be surprised at the impact it can have on both your technical skills and your overall enjoyment of the experience.

About Latin Bootcamp

Latin Bootcamp is a lively dance community specialising in intensive salsa and bachata training. Our three-hour bootcamps offer a fun, engaging environment for learning, practicing, and mastering these Latin dance styles. Regardless of your skill level, our bootcamps provide everyone the chance to enjoy the rhythmic beauty of salsa and bachata.

Come and join our three-hour salsa or bachata bootcamp at The Social Hub in Rotterdam. For us dancing is an beattifull experience you can enjoy with yourself or partner. Partner is not needed! Take a look at our agenda for the next available dates!