BachataJorge

Read Jorge's Story
 

In 1993, if you had told 14 year old aspiring musician Jorge Elizondo that one day in the not too distant future he may be considered one of the most highly touted and sought after Latin dance instructors in the business, he would have probably grinned and told you that his ambition was to become the next Kenny G.

Nonetheless, this ambitious and versatile youngster who was born in 1979 in McAllen, Texas, was destined to become one of the most driven Latin dance instructors in the United States. The youngest child (among five children) of deeply religious parents, young Jorge spent his boyhood eternally involved in the art of music. Little did he know that some day this passion would take his world by storm in ways he never imagined. As a child, his loves of music lead him to learn how to play Alto and Soprano Saxophone. Winning numerous awards in Middle School and High school, Jorge decided to study Music in College. Having graduated high school at the age of 17, Jorge honed his craft by submerging himself into his love of the music world by studying various forms of the art and eventually obtaining his music degree at the age of 20.

 

Wanting to continue his love of learning and teaching music, Jorge initially accepted a position as an Assistant Band Director at a local school district.  While working with students Jorge learned how to teach and adapt to numerous learning techniques which help shape his teaching methods (An entity that would eventually play an even larger role in his life). Teaching was the catalyst in which Jorge knew he found his forte. To this day there is hardly a bigger thrill than when a former student recognizes and thanks him. Jorge has always felt that the student always reflects the teacher and the teacher always reflects the craft. This lesson was evident in his first role as a music mentor and in the years to come, as a dance instructor. Jorge would realize how much the acclaim coming from the very students he spent his time and knowledge with would help shape his love and teaching style for the art of Latin dance.

 

Never one to want to quit learning, Jorge shifted his interest to film. A self taught video editor, graphic designer, 2D/3D animator, director and producer, he ventured to this new avenue ready to amass a new trait which would eventually benefit him in producing his much sought after instructional dance videos. His knowledge of 2D and 3D animation, graphic design and television productions lead him to local affiliate of CBS where he would become Promotions Producer. Soon after that; Jorge moved to Telemundo as Director of Creative Services. Ironically enough, years spent in this profession led Jorge to rediscover and revisit his passion for music in a way he never thought imaginable.

 

After a night out with a colleague from Telemundo in 2002, Jorge was introduced to Salsa. Although Jorge had always welcomed new forays and experiences when it came to music, dancing was something he felt would be arduous due to his then physical appearance. At the time, Jorge weighed over 400 lbs and lived a secret life of chest pains and stress. Jorge was his own worst iconoclast. In the past, he excelled in aspects of his life that were 2nd nature. However, for the first time in his life, Jorge faced his biggest obstacle…himself. Never one to want to alarm anybody or sidetrack his projects and new ventures, Jorge was terrified at the fact of not knowing whether he would wake up each morning due to this then state. Once again it was a new project partnered with the ambition that had him excelling in music and television production that would will Jorge into changing his life. Jorge joined a local gym and started to exercise. However, the primary mitigating factor in seeking this new transformation was Salsa dancing.

 

Jorge was faced with an uphill climb. Out of shape and never engaging in dance activities; Jorge implemented his eagerness to learn and steadily ascended by taking as many lessons as he could, sometimes seven days a week. Jorge had found a new desire in his life and it was one in which benefited both his aspirations as well as physical well-being. He overcame his obstacles and once again excelled in his passion.

 

Never one to shy away from reaching his penultimate goals; within a year Jorge grew from student to teacher and to this day he pays homage to those who took the time to teach him this art. His eagerness took him to Laughlin, NV where he attend Salsa Sizzle his first Salsa Congress where he studied took classes from world renowned instructors such as Alex De Silva, Eddie the Salsa Freak, David Stein, Troy Anthony and Salmon and Rosio to name a few. Jorge has traveled all over the United States and Mexico taking Master workshops from the best Latin instructors. Jorge has also studied all forms of salsa from L.A. Style, Mambo to Casino Rueda. Taking a little piece from each instructor, he has developed his unique style of salsa. Jorge is known for his L.A. Style mixed with Casino Rueda “Miami Style” Salsa.  His unique style takes his follower into a maze of slot turns and circular patterns with very smooth transitions between styles.

 

While learning and excelling in Salsa, Jorge was introduced to Bachata by Rudy a fellow dancer visiting the McAllen area. Jorge realized Bachata was the perfect dance for all dancers, for its simple step patterns would allow dancers to be expressive and connect emotionally. Bachata, still new to many Latin dance scenes in the United States, had yet to develop into more than a basic 4 step dance. Jorge along with other local instructors started developing new turns patterns and creative ideas for the Bachata dance. Bachata has now evolved into a very sexy yet more elaborate dance than it was before. Jorge has cultivated numerous turn patterns and footwork that work seamlessly into the Bachata music. Jorge loves to play with the music and go outside of the box making his dance a unique and spontaneous. With his trip to Miami, Jorge met Hips on Fire a dance group from Boston lead by Seemore Johnson and his dance partner Cristina Pujol. Hips On Fire were the first to developed Bachata Rueda. Jorge took a Seemore's Bachata Rueda workshop at Miami Casino Rueda Congress and fell in love with the idea of Bachata Rueda. Jorge returned to McAllen and the following Wednesday started teaching Bachata Rueda at the Gas Light Club. Capitalizing on what he learned at the many workshops he attended, Jorge started developing his own calls. Jorge’s Bachata Syllabus has grown over 40 calls and Jorge has released many of these in his Learn to Dance Bachata DVD Series. His learn to dance series has been touted as a useful learning tool for any neophyte as well as any established dancer who yearns to either learn one of the great Latin dances or to add Bachata to their dance arsenal.

 

Jorge is now traveling all over the United States and Europe on his Journey to spread Bachata all over the World.  Jorge started his Bachata Boot Camp Tour in June 2006 and has visited almost 500 Cities in the past 10 years. Jorge's Tour will continue to expand around the globe.  Jorge’s goal is to spread bachata all over United States, Europe and Asia one city at a time.

 

What’s next for Jorge is that he hopes to somehow implement a difference in the lives of those attending his classes. For Jorge, dance is more than a job or a hobby; it was a life altering experience that continues to have an impact on him every day. With tours and DVDs lining up, Jorge is ecstatic about meeting new people and introducing them to bachata. He wholeheartedly believes this is the next big thing in Latin Dance and he shares a special connection with this art form and feels it can some day impact many whether it is through physical health or just having a great time on the dance floor.

Thank you for reading my story,

Jorge Elizondo