Esencia Paradise Jack & Jill

Categories & Eligibility

At Esencia Paradise we want our Jack & Jill to feel fair, competitive and inspiring for everyone. To protect the integrity of the competition we use clear criteria rather than how you feel on the day.

Amateur → social dancers and students Pro → teachers, performers, high level competitors

The organization may move dancers to the Pro Category or refuse an entry if the declared category does not match public activity or competition history.

Section 01

Overview

Two clear paths → Amateur and Pro

Every dancer enters either Amateur or Pro. This depends on your years of experience, how you train, whether you teach and how you have performed in past competitions.

Amateur → social dancer track

Less than four years of active Bachata socials or low training intensity
No regular teaching or assisting in Bachata classes
Limited social competition experience and no major podiums

Pro → teaching and high level track

Teach or assist regularly, or earn income through Bachata
Stronger competition record with finals, podiums or titles
Several years of structured training or professional level in related styles

Judging panel

Meet the judges

Your scores are in the hands of experienced social dancers, teachers and competitors who understand both technique and connection on the dance floor.

The panel evaluates musicality, partnership, creativity and quality of movement in a way that rewards honest social dancing, not just show tricks.

Full judge lineup and bios will be announced closer to the event so you can get to know the people watching your round.

Section 02

Amateur Category

For social dancers and students

The Amateur Category is for committed social dancers and students who are still building experience and do not have a regular teaching or professional profile in Bachata. All conditions below should apply to you.

Dance experience

You meet one of these:

You have been actively social dancing Bachata for less than four years
You have danced longer but with low training intensity → mostly socials, around one class a week and no ongoing drills or coaching blocks

Teaching and professional activity

You do not:

Teach regular weekly Bachata classes, paid or unpaid
Assist regularly in Bachata classes in a school or at festivals
Present yourself on social media as a Bachata teacher, instructor, coach or professional artist

Occasional covers such as taking one class for your teacher are acceptable as long as this is not a pattern.

Competition history

All of these apply:

You have entered a maximum of two social competitions such as Jack & Jill or social cups
You have never reached a final and never placed in the top three
You do not hold any title or podium in major Bachata competitions such as festival Jack & Jill finals, Bachata Stars or social cups

Cross style experience

You are not a high level competitor or teacher in a closely related partner dance such as Salsa, Zouk or Kizomba using that background to dominate Bachata socials. If you are advanced or professional in another style the organizers may still move you to Pro for fairness.

Fair play clause

By selecting the Amateur Category you confirm that you are honestly self assessing your level and activity. If you are generally known in the community as a teacher, assistant or high level competitor, Esencia Paradise can reassign you to Pro or decline your Amateur registration.

If you feel unsure, choose Pro.

Section 03

Pro Category

For teachers, artists and high level dancers

The Pro Category is for dancers with a teaching, performing or strong competition profile. If any of the conditions below fits you, you should dance Pro.

Teaching and professional status

You:

Teach regular Bachata classes in a school, at festivals or privately
Assist consistently in Bachata classes and appear on flyers, schedules or social media as assistant
Belong to a semi professional or professional show team or project team that performs routines at events
Earn or have earned income from Bachata classes, workshops, private classes or shows in the last three years

Competition track record

One or more of these applies:

You have participated in three or more social competitions such as Jack & Jill or social cups
You have reached a semi final or final
You have placed in the top three of any of them
You hold titles or podiums at notable Bachata competitions such as Bachata Stars, festival social competitions, Notion Cup Pro or Open, All Stars Social Bachata Pro and similar events

Experience level

You:

Have more than five to six years of continuous Bachata training and social dancing including regular festivals, private classes, coaching and technique programs
Or you are already an experienced professional in another related style such as Zouk, Salsa or Kizomba and you clearly dance at an advanced or professional level in Bachata socials

Invited artists and ambassadors

Any official festival artist, DJ or ambassador who dances Bachata at an advanced level must compete in the Pro Category.

Organizer upgrade and integrity

For the fairness of the competition:

If there is reasonable doubt about a level, the dancer will compete in Pro
The organization may change a dancer category or cancel a registration if information is incomplete or misleading

Not sure which category fits you?

Read the criteria calmly and think about how you are seen in the community. Choosing a higher category is always more respectful than playing down.

If you still feel unsure, contact the organization with a short summary of your experience, teaching activity and competition history.

If it feels close, choose Pro and enjoy the challenge.