champeta classes in medellin

Champeta is gaining recognition as an energetic, culturally rich dance style in Medellín, Colombia.

Before 2015, champeta was mostly associated with Colombia’s Caribbean coast, particularly in cities like Cartagena and Barranquilla. In Medellín, it was largely unknown or viewed as a regional curiosity. People would occasionally hear champeta music at Afro-Colombian cultural events or urban music parties, but few had the opportunity to learn the dance in a structured way. Most champeta dancing happened informally at parties and was passed on through observation rather than instruction.

DANCEFREE offers private champeta classes as an option for students in Medellín to explore champeta music and this joyful, Afro-Colombian dance, and is one of the few places in Medellín where dance students can learn to dance champeta.

Champeta classes at DANCEFREE focus on rhythm, footwork, energy, and cultural expression. The dance style is known for its fast footwork, dynamic hips, and high-energy movements that reflect the lively nature of the music. Classes generally include listening and understanding the music, warming up, learning and repeating basic steps, isolations, foot coordination, and choreography.

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

• Champeta originated among Afro-Colombian communities in Cartagena in the late 20th century. It was influenced by African soukous, highlife, and other West African music genres that arrived via imported vinyl records.

• Champeta music features fast, rhythmic beats, catchy melodies, and call-and-response vocals. Over time, it evolved into a unique Colombian genre, both musically and in its dance style.

• Some of the key characteristics of champeta dancing include quick footwork (champeta steps are often fast and require good coordination), hip movement (hips are used expressively, often in sync with the percussion), arm movements (while the feet and hips do most of the work, arms add expression and balance), and improvisation (like many dances of African origin, champeta allows for lots of personal flair and freestyle movement).

• As you progress, you can explore choreographies that blend champeta with Afrobeat, dancehall, and reggaeton, as well as more theatrical and performance-based routines. You’ll also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural roots of champeta and its role in Afro-Colombian identity and pride.

DANCEFREE offers private champeta classes, in person in Medellin, Colombia, and online via Zoom and Google Meet. Our in-person classes are available 7 days a week, and our online classes are offered on weekdays, subject to instructor availability. If you would like to take private champeta classes, click here to view the steps for beginning private classes.