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International artists & DJ's
confirmed artists & DJs 2026
Prepare to be entertained by an exceptional lineup of talent, including:
Samy El magico
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Samy el Mágico calls Troyes, France home—a bachata dancer and, for at least seventeen years, an instructor.
He’s also an entrepreneur, owning Barrio Latino and Mammamia in Troyes. Twice a year he brings Dominican Swag to life—the first traditional bachata festival in the world—with a summer edition in Troyes and a winter edition in Amsterdam.
Teaching takes him around the globe: the USA, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Colombia, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Australia, and more—it’s easier to ask where he hasn’t been.
In 2022, the government of the Dominican Republic recognized him as a world representative of bachata—an important step in his career.
Johanna Swing
Anthony & Carla
Crysthian & Edurne
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Crysthian and Edurne are a dance couple based in Pamplona, Spain—but their story started in two different parts of the world. Crysthian was born in Venezuela, and Edurne comes from Spain.
Crysthian started dancing Bachata over 10 years ago, while Edurne jumped into it around 6 years back. Together, they've been giving dance classes for about 6 years now, and Bachata is easily their favorite. For them, Bachata is simply about dancing, laughing, and feeling connected—like one big family.
Their biggest dream? To see as many places around the world as possible. A fun fact: Crysthian taught Edurne how to dance Bachata, and now Edurne is helping him master English—teamwork at its best!
Oscar
Thiago & Ari
Sofia
JR El Artista & Gaetana
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Born in Santiago in the Dominican Republic and based in Groningen, the Netherlands, Junior José Santos Schmidt—better known as Jr El Artista—grew up with Bachata at the center of every family gathering. He started dancing at seven with his aunts and cousins, taught himself by watching and doing, and found a lifelong muse in the music of Anthony Santos. Today, Junior is a dancer, choreographer, and the founder of La Ñapa Dance Academy, as well as the organizer of the La Tradición Bachata Festival. A former member of SalsaRoy, he began teaching in 2018 under Danslessen Groningen before stepping out under his own name. He now teaches traditional Bachata (and Salsa L.A.) with an emphasis on authenticity and connection—often spotted on a train or plane en route to festivals across Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, the United States, Austria, Belgium, Tunisia, and India. His mission is simple: let people feel the passion and connection of the Dominican Republic and make it accessible to everyone. As he likes to say: “Life is way better with Bachata.”
Gaetana was born and raised in the Cilento region of southern Italy and now calls Utrecht home—she came for her studies and stayed for Bachata. She began dancing in 2000 at the age of six; two years later, when Aventura’s “Obsesión” took over the airwaves, she performed a kids’ choreography in her village’s main square (and still laughs about being annoyed she didn’t get the front row). Nearly twenty-five years on, she has danced Salsa and Bachata her entire life. Meeting Junior in 2019 marked the start of her professional path; since then, she’s traveled the world with the same dreams she had as a child. For Gaetana, Bachata is freedom—the permission to be exactly who you are, how you feel, when you feel it. It’s also respect and constant learning: from the culture and its people, from teachers and families, from the streets, the academies, colleagues, and fellow dancers. Quirky fact: she has a thing for hands—so don’t be surprised if you catch her admiring them.
Michael & Dori
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Michael and Dori were both born in France but spent many years living in Australia. They first met in Sydney, where their Latin dance story began. Dori started dancing in 2014, and Michael joined her on the dance floor in 2017. By 2020, they were already teaching together, focusing especially on Bachata because of their deep love for the dance and Dominican culture. Over the years, they've learned from inspiring artists like Argenis & Carolina, Edwin & Dakhóta, and Alex & Désirée.
In 2024, after moving back to France, they opened their own dance school called "La Eskina."
For Michael and Dori, Bachata is more than just dance—it's about genuine connection. It’s their way of celebrating culture, spending quality time with friends, and creating memorable moments together.
Nowadays, Michael teaches music and dance full-time to adults and kids alike. Dori splits her time between dancing and working in public health.
Both are thankful that Bachata allows them to travel, experience new places, and meet wonderful people.
Fun fact: Before discovering Bachata, Michael was a passionate Salsero. And when Dori first started dancing, she was all about competition and performances (there might even be some videos out there showing her doing Bachata backflips—if you're willing to search deep enough!).
Mateo Fuentes Londoño
Theresa
André
DJ Latin Mania
- Curaçao
DJ Bripa
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Meet DJ Bripa (a.k.a. Brian Schulte), the man behind Fiesta Deluxe in Hoofddorp for the past 16 years. Every third Saturday of the month, he opens the doors to three areas—Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba and host teachers and performers for workshops and shows. He’s been the resident DJ there for 13 years, and his love for Bachata runs deep.
That passion sparked 20 years ago during his travels to the Dominican Republic (14 trips and counting!). Since then, he’s spun music all over the Netherlands and across Europe—from France to Sweden and Spain.
On weekdays, Brian works as a self-employed plasterer. But when the weekend comes around, he’s back behind the DJ booth, sharing his favorite Latin tunes. He’s also a proud dad of two, juggling family life, music, and everything in between.
Our Story
The story of La TRADICIÓN
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