Daniel et Désirée enlacés sous une veste en jean.
Daniel y Desirée, a Bachata Sensual dance couple based in Seville
Daniel y Desirée · Dance couple · Bachata Sensual · Seville, Spain

DANIEL Y DESIRÉE at a glance

  • Stage name : Daniel y Desirée (also written Daniel y Desiree, without the accent)
  • Names : Daniel Sánchez and Desirée Guidonet
  • Origin and home base : Seville, Spain 🇪🇸
  • Birth : neither the place nor the dates are known with certainty
  • Stage partners : a single duo, Daniel with Desirée, from late 2009 or 2010 to today. They were a couple first, then a dance duo [1]
  • Style : Bachata Sensual (which they also call Bachata moderna) · fusion · Bachata Cover
  • Competition results : 🥇 BachataStars Spanish champions 2010 · 🥈 European runners-up 2011 · 🥇 World Bachata Masters 2012 and 2013
  • Congress : D&D Be Unlike, in Seville (first congress in April 2016)
  • Status : active at least through 2024 (Katowice festival, Seville congress); announced for Bucharest in April 2027
  • Instagram : duo @danielydesireeoficial [2]
DISCOVER THEIR STORY >

Daniel y Desirée: a couple from Seville, Bachata Sensual, and an unplanned first competition

They are from Seville, they dance Bachata Sensual and they won the World Bachata Masters in 2012 and 2013. But Daniel y Desirée did not create this style: it began in Cádiz, around Korke y Judith.

They did something else: before becoming a dance duo, they were a couple. Since then, they have danced this style, taught it, and taken it from congress to festival, together.

READ THIS ARTICLE >

About this article

This article follows Daniel y Desirée’s lives in chronological order, from their separate paths in Seville to today, with their relationship as the connecting thread and their own words at every stage. The facts come from their interviews, the press, competition archives, and congress programs. The numbers in brackets refer to the notes at the bottom of the page.

Last updated: October 2026.

START READING >

« Sensual no es un movimiento. Sensual es la actitud. » (Sensual is not a movement. Sensual is the attitude.) That is what the couple Daniel y Desirée says in Franco Rocha’s show De Tú a Tú, posted online in April 2020 [1].

Two Sevillians, a competition they enter without thinking of winning, a Spanish title, a European second place, then two wins at the World Bachata Masters: their journey is quickly summed up. But it is surrounded by phrases that circulate everywhere: world champions without a competition name, European champions, creators of Bachata Sensual.

And there is what those phrases leave out: they made this journey together, in life and on stage. They were a couple before becoming a dance duo, and that relationship is where it all began [1].

World champions, creators, Korke’s students? The 8 MYTHS about DANIEL Y DESIRÉE, TRUE or FALSE

Before telling their story, one essential stop. Biographies of Daniel y Desirée circulate on festival websites, aggregators, and fan sites, copied, amplified, and sometimes false. Eight claims come up over and over. Which ones hold up? The verdict at a glance, followed by the details in the sections indicated. As for their date of birth, it is not known with certainty.

❌ MYTH 1 · The creators of Bachata Sensual?

Daniel y Desirée are said to have created Bachata Sensual

✅ False — the style began in Cádiz, around Korke y Judith. The couple does not claim to have created it.

READ THE SECTION >

❌ MYTH 2 · World champions three years in a row?

They are said to have been world Bachata champions in 2012, 2013, and 2014

✅ Needs clarification — they won the World Bachata Masters in Madrid in 2012 and 2013. Not in 2014, and world champions leaves out the name of the competition.

READ THE SECTION >

❌ MYTH 3 · European champions?

They are said to have been European champions in 2011

✅ False — they were European runners-up at BachataStars 2011, behind Chaves y Silvia. They say so themselves, and the press from that time confirms it.

READ THE SECTION >

❌ MYTH 4 · A duo since 2006?

They are said to have been dancing together since 2006

✅ No — accounts place the start of the duo in late 2009 or in 2010, and they were a couple first. The date of 2006 is based on an approximate duration that Daniel himself contradicts.

READ THE SECTION >

❌ MYTH 5 · The inventors of the remix?

They are said to have invented the remix and dancing to songs outside Bachata

✅ Nothing proves it — according to Daniel, they pioneered this approach; Desirée says the desire came from her.

READ THE SECTION >

❌ MYTH 6 · Korke y Judith’s students?

They are said to have been students of Korke y Judith

✅ Nothing says so — their statements do not describe them that way. They are winners of the BachataStars competition, for which Korke y Judith were the public face and judges in 2010.

READ THE SECTION >

❌ MYTH 7 · A dance from the Dominican Republic?

Bachata Sensual is said to come from the Dominican Republic

✅ False — Bachata is Dominican, but the sensual style began in Spain, in Cádiz, around Korke y Judith.

READ THE SECTION >

❌ MYTH 8 · Sensual, so sexy?

Sensual Bachata is said to mean sexy movements

✅ False — for the couple, sensual is an attitude, not a repertoire of movements.

READ THE SECTION >

SEVILLE, where it all began: two Sevillians and a stage name

Daniel y Desirée are from Seville: in May 2012, in Gran Canaria, they introduce themselves as being from Spain, from Seville [1][3]. The press calls them los sevillanos, and the newspaper La Semana even states in a headline that they are from Dos Hermanas, a municipality in the province of Seville [4].

Their stage name is written two ways: Daniel y Desirée, with an accent, and Daniel y Desiree, without an accent, which appears in videos, on congress posters, and on aggregators. They are also called Dani and Desi.

Seville is their home base: in a video posted online in January 2013, they say they are living there for the time being because of work, as they travel a lot [1]. Later, their congresses take place in the Seville metropolitan area.

As for their date of birth, it is not known with certainty.

SEVILLE, before 2010: TWO PATHS, the street and hip hop, Salsa

Daniel did not expect to become a dancer: he says he had always danced in the street with his friends, doing hip hop and urban dance [1]. « Siempre lo he hecho en la calle con mis amigos, en el grupo, pero nunca pensaba que yo iba a ser un bailarín » (I have always done it in the street, with my friends, as a group, but I did not think I would be a dancer one day) — Daniel, Salsólicos Anónimos interview, posted online in January 2013 [1]. He also says he has been competing since he was very young and that he competed in karate almost every month [1].

Daniel himself says he was in the military and was preparing for the police entrance examination [1].

When he takes up Latin dance, he chooses Bachata because, he says, it is the easiest place to start [1].

Desirée, for her part, comes from Salsa: she had partners and competed in Salsa, and she says she only decided to take up Bachata when Daniel came along [1].

Daniel confirms that she had her Salsa partners, while he had no experience in Bachata [1].

SEVILLE, 2009-2010: first a COUPLE, then a duo

These two paths cross in the dance scene: they were a couple before becoming a dance duo. They say so themselves, several times. « Nosotros empezamos antes como pareja sentimental antes que bailarines » (We started as a couple first, before becoming dancers) — the couple, Andalucía TV’s #EnRed program, June 2019 [1].

2019 (posted online) — On Andalucía TV’s #EnRed program, the couple says they started as a couple before becoming dancers (excerpt) [1].

🎬 First a couple, then dancers · Andalucía TV’s #EnRed program, posted online in June 2019, excerpt [00:20]-[00:41] (in Spanish) [1].

Daniel says it again in 2020: « Empezamos un poquito antes de pareja sentimental, no de pareja de baile » (We started a little earlier as a couple, not as a dance couple) — Daniel, Smooth Entrevistas, May 2020 [1]. Desirée adds that they are often asked which came first, dancing or their relationship: for them, it was the opposite of what people imagine [1].

For Daniel, meeting her changes everything. « Esto todo empezó por pura pasión, por puro hobby » (It all started out of pure passion, simply as a hobby), the couple says in an interview posted online in March 2022 [1]. Then Daniel: « Yo siempre digo que yo era militar, yo estaba estudiando para ser policía […] Y llegó Desirée, me cambió todo mi esquema » (I always say that I was in the military, that I was studying to become a police officer […] And Desirée came along and changed my whole outlook) — Daniel, World Dance Society Awards, March 2022 [1].

Later, when the traveling begins, he has to choose between the army and dance. He chooses dance: « ya tuve que decidir. Es una decisión fuerte para mí, de seguir el ejército o dejarlo por el baile. Lo dejé […] » (I had to decide. It is a difficult decision for me: stay in the army or leave it for dance. I left […]) — Daniel, Rigo Backstage, Katowice, June 2024 [1].

How long have they been dancing together? Accounts give late 2009 or 2010 [1], and a May 2015 press interview says they have been known for six years, putting it around 2009 [5]. In January 2013, they say they have been a couple for three years and have been dancing together for three years: « llevamos tres años de pareja y tres años bailando juntos » (we have been a couple for three years and have been dancing together for three years) [1]. The year 2006, which sometimes appears, is based on an approximate duration given by Daniel (about eight years of Bachata, in 2014). Yet he himself says he knew nothing about Bachata before they met through dance, so that duration does not establish when the duo began [1].

The day before a COMPETITION: SEVILLE, a borrowed costume, then CÁDIZ and a Spanish title (2010)

Their first competition is unplanned: the night before a Bachata competition in Seville, a friend of Desirée’s sees them dancing at a party and tells them to enter [1]. She encourages them: « si tienen que presentarse por favor, que ustedes son muy buenos, que tienen una química genial » (you really have to enter, you are very good, you have great chemistry), Daniel recounts — World Dance Society Awards, March 2022 [1]. They have prepared nothing, not even a costume, since Daniel has to borrow one [1]. They recount this episode again in an interview posted online in 2024 [1].

They enter « sin ningún pensamiento de ganar ni nada » (without any thought of winning or anything), they say in the Salsólicos Anónimos interview, posted online in January 2013 [1]. Desirée suggests to Daniel that they give it a try together: « Dani, venga, por hacer algo bonito en pareja » (Dani, come on, to do something nice together) — Desirée, Smooth Entrevistas, May 2020 [1].

They win in Seville. As his city’s champion, Daniel is content and does not want to go any further: « Yo ya era campeón de Sevilla, yo ya no quería más nada, yo no quería competir más, yo ya era feliz con ser campeón de Sevilla, pero ella era ambiciosa » (I was already champion of Seville, I did not want anything more, I did not want to compete anymore, I was happy being champion of Seville, but she was ambitious) — Daniel, World Dance Society Awards, March 2022 [1]. Desirée, ambitious, wants to continue, and she admits it plainly: « yo fui la pesada que yo quería seguir compitiendo » (I was the pest: I wanted to keep competing) — Desirée, Smooth Entrevistas, May 2020 [1]. She says she insisted because she loved competing [1]. Daniel says so himself in 2020: if they went to Cádiz, it was not Desirée’s fault, it was thanks to her [1].

After Spain, the roles reverse: “después de España vinieron los demás, ella ya no quería competir y yo sí quería competir” (after Spain came the other competitions; she no longer wanted to compete, and I did) — Daniel, Smooth Entrevistas, May 2020 [1]. He has a clear memory of those first competitions: “Yo no estaba bailando para el jurado, estaba bailando con ella, estaba bailando para la gente” (I wasn’t dancing for the judges, I was dancing with her, I was dancing for the people) — Daniel, De Tú a Tú, April 2020 [1].

An email then summons them to the Spanish final in Cádiz, with less than two weeks to go [1].

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, at the Spanish final in Cádiz, they are proclaimed 2010 Spanish champions of BachataStars ahead of 22 other couples; the announcer gives them competition number 16, and José Luis Chaves and Silvia León place second [6]. This Spanish title is recalled in 2012 [4].

Who organizes BachataStars? In 2010, it is 2sifica Eventos, in Seville [6]. According to Yenny Otero, it was Korke who launched this competition platform [6]. Korke y Judith were its official faces and judges in 2010 [6].

2010 — The announcer at the BachataStars final proclaims the 2010 Spanish champions [6].

🎬 BachataStars 2010, awards ceremony · organizer’s video, uploaded June 7, 2010 (in Spanish) [6].

2013 (upload) — In the Salsólicos Anónimos interview, the couple recounts entering the Seville competition and the Spanish final (excerpt) [1].

🎬 The first competition, as told by the couple · Salsólicos Anónimos, uploaded in January 2013, excerpt [01:54]-[03:05] (in Spanish) [1].

2011-2012: from EUROPEAN RUNNERS-UP to the first WORLD BACHATA MASTERS

In 2011, they go to the BachataStars European final and finish second, behind Chaves y Silvia: they are therefore 2011 European runners-up. They say so themselves, and the press at the time confirms it [1][4]. A January 2012 announcement names Chaves y Silvia the 2011 BachataStars Europe champions and presents Daniel y Desirée as runners-up [4]. This announcement also lists Korke y Judith, the faces and judges of BachataStars 2010, among the artists scheduled for the Bachata con Sentimiento congress, announced in Madrid from February 3 to 5, 2012 [4]. Festival and aggregator biographies say European champions, but that is a mistake [7].

The World Bachata Masters is a championship organized in Madrid by Bachatea during a congress. The first edition takes place on Saturday, February 18, 2012; the congress runs from February 16 to 19. Daniel y Desirée beat five other couples in the final and dedicate their victory to Seville, “que siempre nos ha apoyado” (which has always supported us). They had been notified a month earlier [4].

The title changes them immediately. “Ha significado un antes y un después” (It marked a before and an after), Desirée tells the EFE news agency, which also quotes her saying that this title is “una responsabilidad diferente porque no se puede bajar el nivel que se ha adquirido ahora, hay que mantenerlo y superarlo” (a different responsibility, because you cannot lower the level you have reached: you have to maintain it and surpass it) [4]. Daniel tells the same agency that hearing a judging panel they have long admired tell them they have done an excellent job “deja una gran satisfacción e inspira a seguir mejorando” (leaves a great sense of satisfaction and makes you want to keep improving) [4].

ARGENTINA and GRAN CANARIA, 2012: the first invitations far from Seville

Argentina is the first foreign country to invite them: an archived message announces a date in April 2012 [1], and a nationwide tour is dated April 6 to May 8, 2012 [4]. In that message, they thank their host and already address the audience: “Nos vemos en abril del 2012, un abrazo muy fuerte” (See you in April 2012, a very big hug) — the couple, Rigo Backstage, June 2024 [1]. The reason varies between interviews: their Spanish title in one, a video that went viral when they were starting out on Facebook in another. The video is not identified [1]. Daniel dates an anecdote in Argentina to around 2013-2014: hundreds of fans waiting outside a theater [1].

In May 2012, they are invited to Timbachata, in Maspalomas on the island of Gran Canaria, where they say they have already been, perhaps for the fourth time [1][3]. They feel at ease there: “aquí estamos como en casa” (here, we feel at home) — the couple, Timbachata, Gran Canaria, May 2012 [1].

MADRID, February 2013: the title retained, then joining the judges (2014-2015)

The second edition of the World Bachata Masters takes place on February 16, 2013, at the Auditorium hotel in Madrid. They successfully defend their title. Alfredo y Andrea place second, Ronald y Alba third [4]. Korke Escalona, of the duo Korke y Judith, is one of the judges [4]. Attendance figures vary: hundreds of enthusiasts from 30 countries according to the press, around 2 000 people from 36 countries according to the organizer [4]. Daniel sums it up: “Entonces de ahí fue 2012 y 2013 el campeonato mundial y lo ganamos por suerte.” (So, from there, came 2012 and 2013, the world championship, and we won it by chance.) — Daniel, interview filmed in 2014 [1].

Reporters and interviewers often introduce them as bicampeones del mundo, two-time world champions. Euronews writes the same thing in 2015 [5]. The phrase is not wrong, but it leaves out the name of the competition. The most accurate wording: two-time World Bachata Masters winners, in Madrid, in February 2012 and February 2013.

For Desirée, the first title, won in 2012, changed their lives: “nos ha cambiado muchísimo la vida” (it has changed our lives enormously), she tells the website Eter in February 2013 [4]. The couple also sees this title as a responsibility: they had to study more and learn more, they say [1]. Daniel even puts the idea of a world title in perspective: he points out that there are many world championships [1].

There is no title in 2014: the 2014 edition is won, in the couples competition, by Uriel Garcia and Vera Rowe [4]. The EFE news agency, reporting on this edition on February 18, 2014, also names Vera Rowe and Uriel Garcia as winners of the couples competition, which was in its third edition; Daniel y Desirée do not appear in it [4]. An artist profile adds a victory that year, which is false [7]. Daniel says they were judges that year, without naming the championship [1]. In February 2015, they judge the following edition, as they had announced back in August 2014 [4].

SEVILLE, 2013: living and working together, 24 hours a day

By early 2013, they have been together for three years, both in life and in dance. Desirée tells the website Eter: “Llevamos tres años bailando y tres años como pareja sentimental” (We have been dancing for three years and have been a couple for three years) [4]. In the Salsólicos Anónimos interview, they say they work for a school, without having one of their own, and travel almost every weekend [1].

Doing all of this together is both the most wonderful and the hardest part. “Es complicado, 24 horas al día, es muy intenso porque llevamos 3 años […] yo creo que tiene más un lado positivo” (It’s complicated, 24 hours a day, it’s very intense because we’ve been together for 3 years […] I think it has more of a positive side) — the couple, Salsólicos Anónimos, January 2013 [1]. In the newspaper La Semana, on February 27, 2013, they hide nothing: “somos pareja sentimental y eso supone también muchas discusiones, pero todo tiene al final su recompensa” (we are a couple and that also means a lot of arguments, but everything has its reward in the end) [4].

Connection matters on the dance floor too: after the title, the EFE news agency quotes them saying that Bachata is “sensual y romántico” and that “la compenetración con la otra persona es clave” (sensual and romantic; connection with the other person is essential) [4].

PORTO ALEGRE, September 2014: a first visit to Brazil

From September 5 to 7, 2014, they come to Brazil for the first time, to the Porto Alegre congress, where they are official instructors; they return in 2015 [1][3]. On arrival, Daniel is enthusiastic: “Me encanta. Es un congreso que es la primera vez que venimos a Brasil” (I love it. It’s a congress, and it’s our first time coming to Brazil). He finds the audience “muy cálido” (very warm) — Daniel, interview at the Porto Alegre congress, September 2014 [1].

SPAIN and BOCA CHICA, 2015: trust, the press, and a first BachaTu

A press interview from May 2015 says they have been touring since 2010 [5]. Asked what Bachata means to the couple, Desirée replies: “la bachata supuso para nosotros la forma más romántica de comunicarnos sin expresión verbal” (for us, Bachata was the most romantic way to communicate without words) — Desirée, Correr y Fitness, May 2015 [5].

And jealousy? For them, it is all about trust, and their answer fits into one sentence: “Lo principal es entender que el baile es baile, y nada más.” (The essential thing is to understand that dancing is dancing, and nothing more.) — the couple, Correr y Fitness, May 2015 [5].

A Euronews report from June 2015 shows them at the BachaTu festival in Boca Chica, in the Dominican Republic: Desirée says it is their first visit [5]. “Es un congreso increíble. La primera vez, pero seguro que no es la última para nosotros.” (It’s an incredible congress. The first time, but surely not the last for us.) — Desirée, Euronews, June 2015 [5].

2014-2016: the WORLD TEAM PROJECT, a network’s Bachata branch

The World Team Project is the network of Adrián y Anita, who describe it in 2014 as their “hijo predilecto” (favorite child); Adrián says in April 2015 that Daniel y Desiree’s teams are part of it [8]. As early as 2014, the two couples are presented as “directores de este proyecto mundial” (directors of this worldwide project), and Daniel y Desirée’s branch as a Bachata network present in more than ten countries [8].

A first European gathering of the World Team Project is announced in Barcelona, from December 10 to 13, 2015. Daniel y Desirée are announced alongside Johnny Vazquez and Adolfo Indacochea: each has a branch of the network, Bachata, Salsa, and Mambo [8]. Programs bear the couple’s name, World Team Project Daniel and Desiree, with local companies, for example in Torrejón de Ardoz in May 2016 or in Luxembourg [8]. Daniel y Desirée therefore lead the network’s Bachata branch; they are not its founders.

SEVILLE, 2016-2024: their CONGRESS, from DyD Bachatea to D&D Be Unlike

A video of their appearance at the 2016 Frankfurt festival, uploaded by the website Salsainfo on March 18, 2016, has around 6 million views by early 2018, according to its creator [5].

In early April 2016, Bachatea.net and the couple organize the first Congreso Daniel y Desiree Bachatea Festival, at the TRH Alcora hotel in the Aljarafe, near Seville [3]. Their YouTube channel has been open since August 1, 2016 [2]. The second congress takes place from March 31 to April 2, 2017, at the Vértice Aljarafe hotel in Bormujos [3]. It is announced on March 29, 2017, as a second consecutive edition in Seville, and the press writes in August 2017 that they created DyD Bachatea in 2016 [3]. Bachatea is also the Madrid organizer of the World Bachata Masters, the competition behind their two titles [4].

Andalucía TV features them in a report uploaded in June 2019: they say that people from Canada, Argentina, and China come to their event in Seville [1]. Wedancetv interviews them at the Tumba y Tumbao festival in Seville, in a video uploaded the same month [1].

The congress later takes the name D&D Be Unlike: the name appears as early as 2018, with no exact date for the change. For the edition announced for September 12 to 15, 2024, at the Vértice Sevilla Aljarafe hotel in Bormujos, the congress is presented as their hometown festival [3]. The announced edition numbers vary from one website to another.

Their TRAVELS, from San Francisco to Punta del Este and Katowice

In an interview uploaded in March 2022, they recount first coming to the San Francisco and Washington area around three years before the interview, after Latin America [1].

In a video uploaded in November 2022, they are guests at the Uruguay Salsa Congress in Punta del Este, reuniting with the Uruguayan audience after several years away [1]. Their pleasure comes down to a few words: “siempre agradecidos porque es un amor, una pasión, una entrega, una alegría, una ilusión” (always grateful, because it is love, passion, commitment, joy, desire) — the couple, Bachata Salserita, November 2022 [1]. The journey is long, but “siempre eso a nosotros nos cargan las pilas y aunque sea un viaje largo porque lo es […] merece la pena” (it always recharges our batteries, and even if the journey is long, because it is […] it is worth it) [1]. This profession also has its hidden side, the one the public does not see: “nos dedicamos 24-7” (we devote ourselves to it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), they say in the same interview [1].

An interview in Italian, uploaded in March 2023, introduces them as guests at Bachata Day 2023 [1]. An interview uploaded in June 2024 was filmed at the festival in Katowice, Poland [1].

TODAY: still together

They are professional Bachata dancers involved in competitions, shows, workshops, and congresses, and they are also teachers, organizers of a congress in Seville, and online content creators [1][3]. They remain active at least through 2024, with the festival in Katowice, Poland, followed by their congress in Seville [1][3]. They are also listed to appear in Bucharest in April 2027 [3].

Their life as a couple of artists also changed with the arrival of a child, whom they speak about with great tenderness. In 2019, they describe trying to find the right balance between travel and family life: « eso ya lo estamos creando ahora. Vamos aprendiendo de eso cada evento. Al principio queríamos llevarla […] a todos los eventos. Te das cuenta que para ella también es una paliza los aviones, levantarse temprano » (we are building that now. We learn at every event. At first, we wanted to take her […] to every event. You realize that planes and early mornings are exhausting for her too) — the couple, Wedancetv, June 2019 [1]. Daniel already dreams of dancing with his child one day: « cuando mi niña sea un poquito más grande, competiré con ella, seguro » (when my little girl is a bit older, I will compete with her, for sure) — Daniel, De Tú a Tú, April 2020 [1]. This love changes how they work: « tenemos una niña, tenemos una vida también ajetreada y al final prácticamente ensayamos nosotros, duro, pero ensayamos cuando ya se acerca el fin de semana » (we have a little girl, we have a busy life, and in the end we rehearse hard, but when the weekend is approaching) — the couple, Rigo Backstage, Katowice, June 2024 [1].

They are still a couple, both in life and onstage.

They could do more acrobatics, Daniel says, but what the audience wants from them is something else: « lo nuestro, la gente lo que quiere de nosotros es la pasión que transmitimos […] » (as for us, what people want from us is the passion we convey […]) — Daniel, podcast El Tren Bochinchero, June 2020 [1].

BACHATA SENSUAL was born in Cádiz: what is not theirs

The question keeps coming up: did they create Bachata Sensual? The answer is no, because the style is attributed to Korke, then to Korke y Judith, in Cádiz. In 2011, Diario de Cádiz credits Korke with creating the current international style. In 2012, an organizer refers to the Bachata Sensual style born in Cádiz [9]. Yenny Otero, a guest in a video uploaded in 2024, says so too [6].

Two academic works point in the same direction. Roman Hrytseniuk’s article (2020) attributes the style to Korke and Judith in the early 2000s and does not mention the couple. Nia Wilson’s thesis (Texas A&M, 2021) draws on Korke y Judith’s website [10]. For the couple’s biography, she draws on festival websites and social media [10].

The dates proposed for the style’s origins range from 1998 to 2006, depending on the source. The website of Korke y Judith even gives two reference dates two years apart [9]. Daniel y Desirée do not claim to have created the style [1].

What do Daniel y Desirée say? They do not claim to have created Bachata Sensual and point out that there were already couples dancing in that spirit: « Aunque ya había parejitas que hacían algo así sensual » (Even though there were already some little couples doing something sensual) — the couple, in a World Dance Society Awards interview [1]. According to them, the boom really begins around 2010, more or less [1].

Who gave Bachata Sensual its name? According to the account of Korke y Judith, the name is said to have come from a London promoter [9]. Daniel y Desirée see the word sensual as a marketing move, without saying who started it [1].

The couple’s role lies elsewhere: Nia Wilson’s thesis cites them as a major example of the spread and influence of Bachata Sensual [10]. In August 2026, the Dominican press writes that Korke y Judith are the style’s creators and that Daniel y Desirée are its leading points of reference. That is a journalist’s wording, not a title [5].

Another misconception circulates: that Bachata Sensual comes from the Dominican Republic. Bachata itself was born there, and the UNESCO listing covers only Dominican Bachata [11]. The sensual style was born in Spain. The Dominican press itself points out that these foreign dancers did not learn Bachata at its source [5].

What they CONTRIBUTE: attitude, fusion, the body, Bachata Cover

The couple does not speak primarily of Bachata Sensual. They speak of Bachata moderna: a Bachata foundation to which you add whatever you want [1]. In a video uploaded in 2019, they say they are continuing with their style, a more modern Bachata, more cover. In another, uploaded in 2022, they say the style is called sensual or modern, and that they like to fuse styles [1].

For them, sensual is not a movement: it is an attitude [1]. Traditional Bachata can be just as sensual, because it is an attitude [1]. Adding a nickname to a name is, they say, purely commercial [1]. The idea that sensual refers to an attitude recurs in videos uploaded in 2020, 2022, and 2023.

2020 (upload) — The couple explains why sensual is not a movement (excerpt) [1].

🎬 Sensual is not a movement · Franco Rocha’s show De Tú a Tú, uploaded in April 2020, excerpt [00:15]-[02:23] (in Spanish) [1].

Their dancing is physical: they say the Bachata they dance is very physical, with waves and shoulders [1]. Nia Wilson’s thesis describes their style in terms of frequent full-body contact, body undulations (body rolls) and spectacular dips (dips), and says it continues to influence other Bachata Sensual dancers [10]. This is an analysis of the aesthetics, not a claim of invention.

Fusion plays a major role in their dancing. « Nosotros pensamos que un baile muere cuando no se fusiona. » (We think a dance dies when it does not fuse with others.) — the couple, World Dance Society Awards interview [1]. In the modern style, they say, they fuse with tango and Salsa [1]. In the Salsólicos Anónimos interview, uploaded in January 2013, they recount doing a little tango training to prepare for the world championship [1]. Franco Rocha also reads a statement by Daniel on the screen: in life, you evolve or you die. The couple repeats it in videos uploaded in 2019, then in 2022 [1].

They also talk about Bachata Cover in a video uploaded in 2019: a free expression of Bachata, keeping only its counts, to other music [1].

2022 (upload) — The couple talks about Bachata Cover, fusion, and what the style is called (full interview) [1].

🎬 En Conversación, World Dance Society Awards · interview uploaded on March 6, 2022 (in Spanish) [1].

Who had the idea of dancing to songs that are not Bachata? Daniel calls himself a pioneer because he came from hip hop [1]. Desirée says the desire came from her: she needed to do something that inspired her [1]. She places a first remix for their dancing, to a song by Pablo Alborán, in 2012, during their first world championship, with the qualification: I think [1]. They say they then adjusted the amount of fusion so that it remained Bachata [1]. On music, Daniel is clear: he is a dancer, not a composer [1].

Each has their own work, and that is the couple’s strength: Daniel says Desirée almost always creates the choreography and that he has designed all the costumes himself [1]. In a video uploaded in 2022, he says she has the most productive mind, and Desirée says she loves creating and innovating: « Me encanta crear, innovar » [1]. Their key, they say: « en una pareja todos sumamos 100, como yo siempre digo, cada uno suma 100 de una manera diferente, entonces nosotros creo que nuestra clave es que cada uno nos dedicamos a una cosa dentro del trabajo » (in a couple, we all add up to 100, as I always say; each person adds up to 100 in their own way, so I think our key is that each of us focuses on one thing in our work) — Daniel, Bachata Salserita, November 2022 [1]. They only rehearse when they feel inspired; otherwise, nothing comes of it [1].

Want to learn Bachata Sensual?

🎓 Xavier teaches Bachata Sensual at Studio24 in Liège — in the tradition of Korke y Judith. Or online anywhere in the world through Studio Live.

I TRY IT FOR 10€ >
7 FREE DAYS ONLINE >

How they TEACH: observing, the basics, then social dancing

Daniel talks about his teaching approach in a podcast uploaded in June 2020, where he is the only guest [1]. In his classes, he says, the first three months are devoted to the basics: Bachata fundamentals, Bachata steps, and musicality. His students are students, not objects, and he advises them to take classes with everyone. For him, dancer and teacher are two different professions [1]. The couple also says that great couples did not emerge from copying someone: you can take a step, but then you have to make it into your own figure [1].

2020 (upload) — Daniel explains that the first three months are devoted to the basics (podcast excerpt, in Spanish) [1].

🎬 The first three months: the basics · El Tren Bochinchero podcast, uploaded in June 2020, excerpt [89:50]-[90:05] (in Spanish) [1].

The couple starts with observation: « Primero observarlos mucho, porque cada país es diferente. Cada persona, cada cultura. » (First, observe them closely, because every country is different. Every person, every culture.) — the couple, Katowice interview, uploaded in June 2024 [1]. They also look at what people need, and not just what they like [1]. In Punta del Este, Desirée says she would like a completely different workshop each time, and that Daniel holds her back [1].

In a video uploaded in 2022, they explain that their workshops now prioritize social Bachata over performance: they were drifting, they say, toward too much choreography [1]. What they want: « Que bailen mucho, que es social, que no es una competición, que no tienes que hacer un millón de figuras » (For people to dance a lot, that it is social, that it is not a competition, that you do not have to do a million figures) — the couple, Katowice interview, uploaded in June 2024 [1]. One of them adds that less is more, and that dance is a means of communication [1]. In social dancing, you need to « disfrutar con la pareja con la que se está bailando » (enjoy dancing with your partner): « Si no lo disfruta, no está bailando » (If you are not enjoying it, you are not dancing) [1].

On competition, they offer a nuanced view: Daniel sees it as a key that opens doors, but you end up known as a champion of something rather than by your name [1]. One of them says it is the best way to improve [1]. The couple also recounts that, at one time, many students who became professionals and competitors took their classes, and that the vast majority never gives them credit for it, something they have never expected [1].

What they say about THEMSELVES: humility, inspiration, a scene without levels

How do they want to be remembered? « Ni campeones, ni nada de eso. Como una inspiración. » (Not as champions or anything like that. As an inspiration.) — the couple, Katowice interview, uploaded in June 2024 [1]. They want to pass things on and inspire, rather than be known as technical dancers [1]. They already say so in a video uploaded in 2019, and Daniel in another in 2020: they prefer to be known by their names rather than as champions [1].

Their advice to young dancers comes down to one word: humility. You cannot say you are humble, because then you no longer are, they point out. And no one is above anyone else [1]. Appearing on social media does not make anyone more or less important [1]. Dancing is also a job, and you have to be aware of that: « Es un trabajo, hay que ser consciente de eso » (It is a job, you have to be aware of that) [1]. Daniel says he would not change anything about his journey: « yo no cambiaría nada porque si cambiase algo yo no sería donde estoy ni quien soy » (I would not change anything, because if I changed something, I would not be where I am or who I am) — Daniel, podcast El Tren Bochinchero, June 2020 [1]. He adds that what angers him most in social dancing is bad manners [1]. As a teacher, he gives himself an 8, and a 6 or 7 for their shows [1].

They describe the dance world as a healthy environment, without levels or gender separation [1]. They want people to follow not only them, but also their way of life: dance, in a very good and very healthy environment [1]. From the start, they say, they decided to do what they enjoy, because that is fundamental in life: “desde el principio dijimos, vamos a hacer lo que nos gusta, porque eso es fundamental en la vida” (from the start we said to ourselves: let’s do what we enjoy, because that is fundamental in life) — the couple, Andalucía TV’s #EnRed program, June 2019 [1].

Desirée speaks to female dancers: they have the power, they are the most special part of dance, she says: “Las mujeres tenemos el poder, por así decirlo, somos como la parte más especial del baile” (We women have the power, so to speak; we are the most special part of dance) — Desirée, World Dance Society Awards [1]. You have to believe strongly in what you do, but never let it go to your head [1]. Finally, the couple wants people to say they are human and not perfect [1].

2024 (posted online) — The couple explains how they would like to be remembered and what they think about humility (excerpt) [1].

🎬 How do they want to be remembered? · Rigo Backstage interview, Katowice festival, posted online in June 2024, excerpt [07:47]-[09:05] (in Spanish) [1].

In SUMMARY: Daniel y Desirée’s journey

Eight milestones mark their journey.

  • Who: two Seville natives, professional Bachata dancers.
  • Their common thread: a couple in life before becoming a dance duo [1].
  • 2010: Spanish BachataStars champions, in Cádiz.
  • 2011: European BachataStars runners-up, behind Chaves y Silvia.
  • 2012 and 2013: World Bachata Masters winners, in Madrid.
  • Since 2016: a congress in Seville, which became D&D Be Unlike.
  • Their style: a modern, body-focused, fusion Bachata, where sensual is an attitude.
  • What they did not do: create Bachata Sensual, which originated in Cádiz around Korke y Judith.

Studio24’s artistic REFERENCES

Daniel y Desirée’s path crosses those of the masters who trained Xavier Colina. Korke y Judith first: Bachata Sensual originated in Cádiz around them. In fact, in 2010 the two Seville natives won a competition for which Korke y Judith were the public face and the judges [6]. This is the Bachata Sensual lineage that Studio24 offers today in Liège.

Johnny Vazquez and Adolfo Indacochea next: they are invited along with the couple to the Porto Alegre congress in September 2014, then announced together in Barcelona in December 2015, at the first European gathering of the World Team Project, a network in which each has their own branch (bachata, salsa, mambo) [3][8].

All the blog’s profiles are collected on the page about the great names of Salsa, Mambo, and Bachata.

Learning BACHATA SENSUAL in Liège and online

The Bachata Sensual that Daniel y Desirée dance originated in Cádiz, around Korke y Judith. Today, at Studio24 Xavier Colina, who has taken Korke y Judith’s masterclasses, teaches this style. Whether you are in Liège or anywhere in the French-speaking world, you can begin this same progression.

Xavier has also seen Daniel y Desirée in Belgium, at the I Love Bachata festival in Louvain (Leuven), very close to Brussels, where the couple dance in 2015, among other appearances [12]. He has also taken their training in the World Mastery program.

In Liège, Bachata Sensual is danced on Wednesdays: Introduction at 6:30 pm, Basics+ at 7:30 pm, Intermediate at 8:30 pm. After about a year of practice, it is time for the Advanced level on Thursdays at 8:30 pm. Everywhere else, Studio Live offers video classes to follow at your own pace.

Want to dance Bachata Sensual?

🎓 Xavier teaches Bachata Sensual at Studio24 in Liège — in the lineage of Korke y Judith. Or online anywhere in the world through Studio Live.

I TRY IT FOR 10€ >
7 FREE DAYS ONLINE >

FAQ: everything about DANIEL Y DESIRÉE

🌎 Who are DANIEL Y DESIRÉE?

Daniel y Desirée are a dance couple from Seville, Spain. They dance Bachata Sensual, which they also call Bachata moderna, with fusion. Spanish BachataStars champions in 2010 and European runners-up in 2011, they won the World Bachata Masters in 2012 and 2013. They organize a congress in Seville, D&D Be Unlike. They did not create Bachata Sensual: it originated in Cádiz, around Korke y Judith.

✍️ Daniel y Desirée or Daniel y Desiree: how do you spell it?

Both spellings are used: Daniel y Desirée, with an accent, and Daniel y Desiree, without an accent, which appears in videos, on congress posters, and on aggregator sites. The local press has even written Desiré y Dani. Both refer to the same couple [4].

🎂 How OLD are Daniel y Desirée?

We cannot say. Their dates of birth are not known with certainty. Years circulate on fan sites and aggregator sites, but they are not based on any document.

🎵 Did Daniel y Desirée create BACHATA SENSUAL?

No, and they do not claim to. The style is attributed to Korke, then to Korke y Judith, in Cádiz [9]. The couple has helped spread it and teaches it: Nia Wilson’s thesis cites them as an example of dissemination and influence [10]. The Dominican press in August 2026 calls Korke y Judith the creators of the style and the couple its leading reference points [5].

🧭 BACHATA SENSUAL or MODERN BACHATA: what is the difference?

For the couple, it is mainly a question of naming. They speak of Bachata moderna: a Bachata foundation to which you add whatever you want, such as fusion with tango or Salsa. They say that the word sensual was successful marketing, and that sensual is an attitude, not a movement [1].

🥇 Are Daniel y Desirée world champions?

Yes, provided the competition is named: they won the World Bachata Masters, in Madrid, in February 2012 and February 2013 [4]. Not in 2014, when the title went to Uriel Garcia and Vera Rowe. Their exact title: two-time World Bachata Masters winners.

🥈 Are they European champions?

No. They are the 2011 European BachataStars runners-up: they finish second, behind Chaves y Silvia [1][4]. Biographies that say European champions are mistaken [7].

📅 How long have they been dancing together?

Accounts give late 2009 or 2010. Their first competition dates to 2010 [1][6]. Some texts say 2006: this date is based on an approximate duration and does not hold up [1].

🤝 Who do DANIEL and DESIRÉE dance with on stage?

Daniel dances with Desirée, and Desirée with Daniel: they have formed a single duo since late 2009 or 2010, and neither names another stage partner. They were a couple in life first, then a dance duo: “nosotros empezamos antes como pareja sentimental antes que bailarines” (we started out as a couple in life first, before being dancers) [1]. Before the duo, Desirée danced Salsa with partners she does not name, and Daniel had no Bachata experience [1].

🏆 What is the WORLD BACHATA MASTERS?

It is a Bachata championship organized in Madrid by Bachatea, during a congress. The first edition takes place on February 18, 2012, the second on February 16, 2013. Uriel Garcia and Vera Rowe win the couples title in the 2014 edition [4].

🎶 What is BACHATA COVER?

It is the name the couple gives to one aspect of their work: a free expression of Bachata, keeping only its counts, to different music. They discuss it in a video posted online in 2019 and describe it in another, posted online in 2022 [1].

🌍 Did they found the WORLD TEAM PROJECT?

No. The World Team Project is Adrián y Anita’s network, which they describe in 2014 as their “hijo predilecto” (favorite child). Daniel y Desirée lead its bachata branch: as early as 2014, the network’s website names them, along with Adrián y Anita, “directores de este proyecto mundial” and programs bear their name, for example in Torrejón de Ardoz in May 2016 or in Luxembourg. They are announced in Barcelona in December 2015, with Johnny Vazquez and Adolfo Indacochea [8]. Promotional texts presenting the couple as the founders of a worldwide network are not enough to establish this.

👤 Not to be confused with ALEX & DESIREE

Alex & Desiree are another couple, from New York, who dance Bachata clásica. They are different people: do not confuse them with Daniel y Desirée.

📺 How many VIEWS do their videos have?

A video of their appearance at the 2016 Frankfurt festival, posted online by Salsainfo on March 18, 2016, has about 6 million views in early 2018, according to its creator [5].

👑 Are they the king and queen of Bachata?

It is a phrase used by hosts, not a title. In a podcast posted online in 2020, the hosts call them that, and Daniel refuses to name a successor [1]. The couple says they prefer to be known by their name rather than as champions [1].

📍 Where can you find them?

At their congress in Seville, D&D Be Unlike: the September 2024 edition was announced for the 12th through the 15th, at the Vértice Sevilla Aljarafe hotel in Bormujos [3]. They are also invited to festivals elsewhere, such as Katowice or Punta del Este [1]. On Instagram, the duo posts on @danielydesireeoficial [2].

🎓 Want to dance BACHATA SENSUAL? Where should you start?

In Liège: first trial class for 10€, no reservation needed. Wednesdays are for Bachata Sensual: Introduction at 6:30 pm, Basics+ at 7:30 pm, and Intermediate at 8:30 pm. On Thursdays, the Advanced level (about a year of practice) includes Bachata at 8:30 pm. Practice in the evening at Puerto Rico Nights. Anywhere in the world: Studio Live — +300 HD lessons, free 7-day trial.

Xavier Colina — Salsa On1, Mambo On2, and Bachata Teacher, Studio24 Liège

About the author

Xavier Colina teaches Salsa On1, Mambo On2, and Bachata at Studio24 in Liège (Belgium) and online through Studio Live. Trained in the direct lineage of Eddie Torres → Adolfo Indacochea (World Mastery program), Fernando Sosa and Korke y Judith. Learn more →

Sources & Bibliography

  1. ↩ Daniel y Desirée speak — interviews and videos (2012–2024) : TIMBACHATA GRANCANARIA, 2012. Entrevistas Timbachata Daniel y Dessiré [online]. TIMBACHATA GRANCANARIA, November 13, 2012. Available at: https://youtu.be/l3gHeVIVq6A [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: interview conducted during Timbachata 2012, in Maspalomas (Gran Canaria), May 11–13, 2012; video uploaded in November 2012.
    SALSOLICOSANONIMOS, 2013. Entrevista a Daniel y Desirée BiCampeones del mundo de Bachata [online]. SalsolicosAnonimos, January 13, 2013. Available at: https://youtu.be/fl6xrf-kgsc [accessed October 21, 2026].
    PORTO ALEGRE SALSA BACHATA CONGRESS, 2014. ENTREVISTA DANIEL E DESIREE – Espanha [online]. Porto Alegre Salsa Bachata Congress, September 10, 2014. Available at: https://youtu.be/mpw2sW6F_nY [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Porto Alegre congress, September 5–7, 2014.
    SALSEANDO POR SEVILLA SEVILLA, 2016. Entrevista a Daniel Sánchez Bachata [online]. Salseando por Sevilla Sevilla, July 14, 2016. Available at: https://youtu.be/lvwYXez382Q [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: interview with Daniel, filmed in 2014.
    ENRED ANDALUCIATV, 2019. Programa #EnRed: Influencers Daniel y Desiree [online]. enred andaluciatv, June 12, 2019. Available at: https://youtu.be/7zM-jWIXHz0 [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Andalucía TV’s #EnRed program.
    WEDANCETV, 2019. ¿Cuanto se conocen Daniel y Desiree? · ENTREVISTA · Tumba y tumbao 2019 [online]. Wedancetv, June 20, 2019. Available at: https://youtu.be/jJvk4vopjhs [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Tumba y Tumbao festival, in Seville.
    FRANCO ROCHA, 2020. De “Tu a Tu “ Franco Rocha con Daniel y Desiree [online]. Franco Rocha, April 17, 2020. Available at: https://youtu.be/OdlkUVVJt18 [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: show De Tú a Tú, by Franco Rocha; Desirée places a first remix of a Pablo Alborán song in 2012, during their first world championship, with the caveat “creo yo” (I think): this is not an established historical first.
    FRANCO ROCHA, 2020. De “Tu a Tu “. Franco Rocha con Daniel y Desiree [online]. Franco Rocha, April 17, 2020. Available at: https://youtu.be/FdJa6wSm–Q [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: continuation of the show De Tú a Tú.
    PABLO Y RAQUEL BACHATA, 2020. SMOOTH ENTREVISTAS – DANIEL Y DESIREE [online]. Pablo y Raquel Bachata, May 10, 2020. Available at: https://youtu.be/lS2oxp8gDS4 [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Smooth Entrevistas, by Pablo y Raquel; Daniel answers first, followed by Desirée.
    EL TREN BOCHINCHERO, 2020. invitado de hoy-Daniel Sanchez ( Daniel y Desire) [online]. El Tren Bochinchero, June 16, 2020. Available at: https://youtu.be/4joUxmMaycA [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: podcast El Tren Bochinchero, Daniel as the sole guest.
    WORLD DANCE SOCIETY AWARDS, 2022. En Conversación con Daniel y Desirée – World Dance Society Awards Premiere [online]. World Dance Society Awards, March 6, 2022. Available at: https://youtu.be/XcowflOWR9U [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: filming date unknown; the News page of the World Dance Society displays “06/11/21.”
    WORLD DANCE SOCIETY. News [online]. Available at: https://www.worlddancesociety.org/news [accessed October 22, 2026]. Note: the page lists the interview “In Conversation with Daniel y Desiree” with the date November 6, 2021.
    BACHATA SALSERITA, 2022. Entrevista exclusiva a Daniel y Desirée [online]. Bachata Salserita, November 25, 2022. Available at: https://youtu.be/LSYKLriLa7s [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Uruguay Salsa Congress, in Punta del Este.
    GIMUSIC CHANNEL, 2023. Bachata Day 2023 , Intervista a Daniel y Desiree [online]. Gimusic Channel, March 7, 2023. Available at: https://youtu.be/b15YZjYYhKo [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Bachata Day, interview in Italian.
    RIGO BACKSTAGE, 2024. Daniel Desirée Bachata on Interview. Bachata stars explain their Secrets on Podcast [online]. Rigo Backstage, June 1, 2024. Available at: https://youtu.be/cIKoHoYdlIw [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: interview at the festival in Katowice, Poland.
    Note: the translations of quotations in Spanish, Italian, or English are by the author of the article.
  2. ↩ The duo’s official accounts : DANIEL Y DESIRÉE [Instagram : @danielydesireeoficial]. Profile. Available on: https://www.instagram.com/danielydesireeoficial/ [accessed October 21, 2026].
    DANIEL Y DESIRÉE. Daniel y Desirée [online]. YouTube, channel active since August 1, 2016. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/@DANIELYDESIREEOFICIAL/about [accessed October 21, 2026].
  3. ↩ Congresses and events : GRANCANARIATV, 2012. Sergio Mendoza te invita a TIMBACHATA 2012 en Maspalomas (11-13 de Mayo). GranCanariaTV [online]. May 11, 2012. Available at: https://www.grancanariatv.com/2012/05/sergio-mendoza-te-invita-timbachata.html [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: announcement of the May 11–13, 2012 edition of Timbachata, in Maspalomas.
    TIMBACHATA. Timbachata. Festival de Timba y Bachata de Gran Canaria [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20120512080931/http://timbachata.com/ [archived May 12, 2012, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: program for the May 11–13, 2012 edition of Timbachata, including Friday, May 11.
    PROJETO SABOR LATINO. SABOR LATINO: Porto Alegre Salsa Congress [online]. Available at: https://projetosaborlatino.blogspot.com/p/evento.html [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Porto Alegre congress, September 5–7, 2014, then September 4–7, 2015.
    GO&DANCE. DANIEL & DESIREE Bachatea Festival [online]. 2016 congress. Available at: https://www.goandance.com/en/event/1029/daniel-desiree-bachatea-festival [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the event description gives the dates April 1–3, 2016; its date listing gives April 1–2.
    LASALSADELBAILE. II Congreso Daniel Y Desirée Bachatea [online]. Available at: https://lasalsadelbaile.com/comprar/ii-congreso-daniel-y-desiree-bachatea-430.html [accessed October 21, 2026].
    S. V., 2017. La sensualidad llega en forma de bachata a Sevilla. Diario de Sevilla [online]. March 29, 2017. Available at: https://www.diariodesevilla.es/vivirensevilla/sensualidad-llega-forma-BbachataB-Sevilla_0_1121888245.html [accessed October 21, 2026].
    ALDA GARCÍA, Rocío, 2017. Los españoles marcan los pasos de la bachata. Klein Magazine [online]. August 6, 2017. Available at: https://kleinmagazine.es/bachata/ [accessed October 21, 2026].
    BACHATA FESTS. D&D Be Unlike 2024 [online]. Announcement. April 24, 2024. Available at: https://bachatafests.com/dd-be-unlike-2024/ [accessed October 21, 2026].
    GO&DANCE. Daniel & Desiree [online]. Available at: https://www.goandance.com/es/artista/284/daniel-desiree [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the duo’s page announces a festival in Bucharest in April 2027.
  4. ↩ Press, agencies, and programs covering the championship titles (2012–2015) : BACHATEA.NET. WORLDBACHATAMASTERS – Red mundial de bachata en el mundo [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20120203121242/http://bachatea.net/12.html [archived February 3, 2012, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: announcement of the championship on Saturday, February 18, 2012, in Madrid.
    BACHATEA.NET. Bachata Festivals – Red mundial de bachata en el mundo [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20120214210028/http://www.bachatea.net/2.html [archived February 14, 2012, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the Congreso Internacional Bachatea, February 16–19, 2012, in Madrid.
    NOTICIAS O ROSAL, 2012. “JOSE Y ROSY” PARTICIPARÁN EN MADRID NO I CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL DE BACHATA CON SENTIMIENTO 2012. Noticias O Rosal [online]. January 25, 2012. Available at: https://noticiasorosal.blogspot.com/2012/01/jose-y-rosy-participaran-en-madrid-no-i.html [accessed October 22, 2026]. Note: announcement reproducing the presentation of the congress Bachata con Sentimiento. Congress held on February 3, 4, and 5, 2012; the list of artists also names Korke y Judith.
    EFE, 2012. Los ganadores de la copa mundial de bachata dedican su triunfo a Sevilla. Amo Dominicana [online]. February 20, 2012. Available at: https://www.amodominicana.com/los-ganadores-de-la-copa-mundial-de-bachata-dedican-su-triunfo-a-sevilla/ [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: EFE news agency dispatch; Desirée says that the title “ha significado un antes y un después” and that it is “una responsabilidad diferente porque no se puede bajar el nivel que se ha adquirido ahora, hay que mantenerlo y superarlo”; Daniel says that the judgment of a jury they have long admired “deja una gran satisfacción e inspira a seguir mejorando”; the victory is dedicated to Seville, “que siempre nos ha apoyado.”
    JUJUY AL MOMENTO, 2012. Los Campeones mundiales de Bachata dictaron Talleres en Jujuy. Jujuy al Momento [online]. May 5, 2012. Available at: https://www.jujuyalmomento.com/jujuy/los-campeones-mundiales-bachata-dictaron-talleres-jujuy-n15269 [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: nationwide tour from April 6 to May 8, 2012; the couple is described as “oriundos de Sevilla.”
    POVEDA, Anabel, 2013. Los sevillanos Daniel Sánchez y Desirée Guidonet, revalidan su título como Campeones del Mundo de Bachata. Eter [online]. February 18, 2013. Available at: https://www.eter.com/actualidad/noticia.php?id=16281 [accessed October 22, 2026]. Note: the jury list includes Korke Escalona. Desirée says: “Llevamos tres años bailando y tres años como pareja sentimental” and “nos ha cambiado muchísimo la vida.”
    KORKE Y JUDITH (BACHATA SENSUAL), 2014. Korke Escalona – Interview [online]. Korke y Judith (Bachata Sensual), October 26, 2014. Available at: https://youtu.be/vOCPHSawS0s [accessed October 22, 2026]. Note: official channel of the duo Korke y Judith.
    EFE, 2013. Dos españoles campeones del mundo de Bachata y dos colombianos finalistas. Diario Libre [online]. February 17, 2013. Available at: https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/dos-espaoles-campeones-del-mundo-de-bachata-y-dos-colombianos-finalistas-LMDL371794 [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: EFE news agency dispatch; it attributes these words to the two winners: Bachata is “sensual y romántico” and “la compenetración con la otra persona es clave.”
    EFE, 2013. España organizó II Campeonato Mundial de baile de Bachata. Diario Libre [online]. February 18, 2013. Available at: https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/espaa-organiz-ii-campeonato-mundial-de-baile-de-bachata-BMDL371880 [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: EFE news agency dispatch.
    TELEMADRID, 2013. Dos sevillanos, ganadores del Campeonato del Mundo de Bachata. Telemadrid [online]. February 17, 2013. Available at: https://www.telemadrid.es/noticias/sociedad/sevillanos-ganadores-Campeonato-Mundo-Bachata-2-1438676137–20130217035831.html [accessed October 21, 2026].
    RICARDO, Fran, 2013. Los bicampeones del mundo de bachata son de Dos Hermanas. La Semana [online]. February 27, 2013. Available at: https://periodicolasemana.es/2013/24926/es-noticia/los-bicampeones-del-mundo-de-bachata-son-de-dos-hermanas/ [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the couple says: “somos pareja sentimental y eso supone también muchas discusiones, pero todo tiene al final su recompensa.”
    EFE, 2014. Un grupo de España, campeón de la I edición del World Bachata Masters. Listín Diario [online]. February 18, 2014. Available at: https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2014/02/18/311224/un-grupo-de-espana-campeon-de-la-i-edicion-del-world-bachata-masters.html [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: EFE news agency dispatch.
    EFE, 2014. Un grupo de España, campeón de la I edición del World Bachata Masters. La Vanguardia [online]. February 18, 2014. Available at: https://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/20140218/54402294459/un-grupo-de-espana-campeon-de-la-i-edicion-del-world-bachata-masters.html [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the same dispatch; the couples competition is in its third edition, won by Vera Rowe and Uriel García.
    DIARIO POPULAR, 2014. Tiene que haber bachata en el Bailando. Diario Popular [online]. August 3, 2014. Available at: https://www.diariopopular.com.ar/espectaculos/tiene-que-haber-bachata-el-bailando-n199144/amp [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the couple announces that they will be on the jury on February 13, 14, and 15, 2015.
    LASALSADELBAILE. IV BACHATEA WORLD CONGRESS [online]. Program, February 2015. Available at: https://www.lasalsadelbaile.com/congreso/iv-bachatea-world-congress-65.html?idioma=en [accessed October 21, 2026].
    JONES, Ryan, 2015. Gotta Dance. Bostonia [online]. June 15, 2015. Available at: https://www.bu.edu/bostonia/summer15/gotta-dance/ [accessed October 21, 2026].
    BOSTONIA. Gotta Dance (print version, summer 2015, p. 71) [online]. PDF. Available at: https://www.bu.edu/bostonia/static-assets/issues/summer15/gotta-dance.pdf [accessed October 21, 2026].
  5. ↩ Press 2015–2026 : CORRER Y FITNESS / ATRESMEDIA, 2015. Daniel y Desirée, campeones del mundo: ‘Bailar bachata mejora tu vida sexual’. Correr y Fitness [online]. May 26, 2015. Available at: https://www.correryfitness.com/baile/daniel-desiree-campeones-mundo-bailar-bachata-mejora-vida-sexual_201505215821de520cf2d6cc9cd35d5c.html [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Desirée describes Bachata as “la forma más romántica de comunicarnos sin expresión verbal”; the page says “para Dani y Desi todo es cuestión de confianza,” then gives their answer about jealousy: “Lo principal es entender que el baile es baile, y nada más.”
    EURONEWS, 2015. Sensual and romantic the Bachata BachaTu Festival in the Dominican Republic. Euronews [online]. June 9, 2015. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20240910001249/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2015/06/09/sensual-and-romantic-the-bachata-bachatu-festival-in-the-dominican-republic [archived September 10, 2024, accessed October 21, 2026]. Original address: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2015/06/09/sensual-and-romantic-the-bachata-bachatu-festival-in-the-dominican-republic.
    EURONEWS, 2015. Boca Chica al ritmo del BachaTu [online]. Euronews, June 9, 2015. Available at: https://es.euronews.com/2015/06/09/boca-chica-al-ritmo-del-bachatu [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: report by Raphaële Tavernier; Desirée says: “Es un congreso increíble. La primera vez, pero seguro que no es la última para nosotros.”
    SALSAINFO.ORG, 2016. Frankfurt Festival 2016 – Daniel & Desiree – Sensual Bachata II [online]. Salsainfo.org, March 18, 2016. Available at: https://youtu.be/YvJRJqAIx_Q [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: Frankfurt video discussed by Salsainfo; the promotional view counts in circulation are not reproduced.
    SALSAINFO.ORG, 2018. A (Bachata-) video goes viral – my analysis of an unexpected success [online]. Updated March 28, 2022. Available at: https://en.salsainfo.org/index.php?view=article&id=16:a-bachata-video-goes-viral-my-analysis-of-an-unexpected-succes&catid=9 [accessed October 21, 2026].
    SALSAINFO.ORG, 2018. A (Bachata-) video goes viral – my analysis of an unexpected success [online]. Published January 20, 2018. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20190826094542/https://en.salsainfo.org/index.php/9-news/16-a-bachata-video-goes-viral-my-analysis-of-an-unexpected-succes [archived August 26, 2019, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the English page says “as of February 2017” for the count of 6,2 million; its publication date is January 20, 2018.
    SALSAINFO.ORG, 2017. Ein Bachata-Video “geht” viral… [online]. Updated April 4, 2022. Available at: https://www.salsainfo.org/index.php/blog-news/blog-2018/128-ein-video-geht-viral [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the German version, dated December 12, 2017, says “As of January 2018: around 6 million clicks.”
    TEJADA, Pachico, 2026. Estas tres parejas extranjeras hicieron del baile de la bachata un fenómeno mundial. N Digital [online]. August 1, 2026. Available at: https://n.com.do/2026/08/01/estas-tres-parejas-extranjeras-hicieron-del-baile-de-la-bachata-un-fenomeno-mundial/ [accessed October 21, 2026].
  6. ↩ BachataStars and third-party videos : BACHATASTARS, 2010. Final BachataStars2010 – Entrega de premios [online]. bachatastars, June 7, 2010. Available at: https://youtu.be/NqLXG_c0yfo [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: video from the organizer; contestant number 16 is announced in it.
    BACHATASTARS. Los Videos de la Final [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20100618130219/http://www.bachatastars.com:80/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92&Itemid=67 [archived June 18, 2010, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: results and judging panel of the 2010 Spanish final.
    BACHATASTARS. KORKE y JUDITH serán la imagen oficial de BACHATASTARS’10 [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20100502233328/http://www.bachatastars.com:80/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51:korke-y-judith-seran-la-imagen-oficial-de-bachatastars10&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50 [archived May 2, 2010, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: none of the competition pages says that Korke founded it; several texts say so.
    BACHATASTARS. La Final Nacional 2010 será en Cádiz [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20100503004525/http://www.bachatastars.com:80/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52:la-final-nacional-2010-sera-en-cadiz&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50 [archived May 3, 2010, accessed October 21, 2026].
    BACHATASTARS. Contacto [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20100415025006/http://bachatastars.com:80/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=56 [archived April 15, 2010, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the offices of 2sifica Eventos, in Seville.
    BACHATASTARS. Materiales [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20100502233336/http://www.bachatastars.com:80/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61 [archived May 2, 2010, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: images “propiedad de 2sifica Eventos S.C.”
    BACHATHERO SENSUAL, 2024. Bachata Sensual: L’Origine e l’Evolvere del Movimento con Yenny | Intervista Esclusiva [online]. BachatHero Sensual, May 7, 2024. Available at: https://youtu.be/7y9cAItxe7w [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: with Yenny Otero. Speaking about BachataStars, she says of Korke [15:26]: “started creating this platform for people to show themselves” (started creating this platform to allow people to make themselves known).
  7. ↩ Biographies from festivals, directories, and fan sites : R&M LATIN DANCE, 2023. Bachata Dance Artists: Daniel y Desiree [online]. August 1, 2023. Available at: https://www.rm-latindance.com/post/bachata-dance-artists-daniel-y-desiree [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the page says “in 2011 European champions” (2011 European champions).
    DANXER. Daniel & Desiree [online]. Available at: https://danxer.com/artist/98/daniel-desiree [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the same text: “in 2011 European champions.”
    SALSERO.ES. Daniel y Desireé [online]. Available at: https://salsero.es/artist/98/daniel-y-desiree?idioma=es [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the page says “lo volvieron a conseguir en el 2014 quedando por segunda vez, campeones del mundo.”
    STAGE OF DANCE, 2024. Daniel and Desiree: The Kings of Sensual Bachata [online]. October 12, 2024. Available at: https://stageofdance.com/daniel-and-desiree-the-kings-of-sensual-bachata/ [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the page credits them with creating Bachata Sensual (“creating and popularizing Bachata Sensual”).
    GO&DANCE. Daniel & Desiree [online]. Available at: https://www.goandance.com/en/artist/284/daniel-desiree [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: festival biography; the page displays “Runners-up BachataStars Europe 2011” and “World Champions 2012.”
  8. ↩ World Team Project : GO&DANCE. World Team Project – 1º EUROPEAN MEETING [online]. Barcelona, December 10-13, 2015. Available at: https://www.goandance.com/en/event/785/world-team-project-1o-european-meeting [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: announcement from an organizer; it does not say that the advertised artists worked together.
    GO&DANCE. Daniel Y Desirée World Team Project Torrejon [online]. Torrejón de Ardoz, May 2016. Available at: https://www.goandance.com/en/event/1278/daniel-y-desiree-world-team-project-torrejon [accessed October 21, 2026].
    DANSE-SALSA.LU. Cours de Bachata sensual reconnus par Daniel et Desirée [online]. World Team Project master course, Luxembourg City. Available at: https://danse-salsa.lu/cours-de-bachata-sensual-reconnus-par-daniel-et-desiree-master-course-world-team-project-luxembourg-ville [accessed October 21, 2026].
    BETIM, Felipe, 2014. La mejor salsa del mundo. El País [online]. November 12, 2014. Available at: https://elpais.com/cultura/2014/11/11/actualidad/1415736726_835273.html [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: article about Adrián y Anita and the World Team Project.
    WORLDTEAMPROJECT. WorldTeamProject | DANIEL Y DESIRÉE [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20140928062242/http://worldteamproject.com/daniel-y-desiree/ [archived September 28, 2014, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: “Conoce a los directores de este proyecto mundial.”
    WORLDTEAMPROJECT. WorldTeamProject | DANIEL Y DESIRÉE WorldTeamProject [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20141001031504/http://worldteamproject.com/daniel-y-desiree-worldteamproject [archived October 1, 2014, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: “Únete a la nueva red mundial de “Bachata”, estamos presentes en más de 10 países.”
    WORLDTEAMPROJECT. WorldTeamProject | Adolfo Indacochea [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20150812145924/http://worldteamproject.com/adolfo-indacochea/ [archived August 12, 2015, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the Mambo branch, alongside Daniel y Desirée’s branch.
    WORLDTEAMPROJECT. World Team Project (page Johnny Vázquez) [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20160425120643/http://www.worldteamproject.com/artista/johnnyvazquez [archived April 25, 2016, accessed October 21, 2026].
    WORLDTEAMPROJECT. World Team Project (page Adolfo Indacochea) [online]. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20160509134821/http://www.worldteamproject.com/artista/adolfoindacochea [archived May 9, 2016, accessed October 21, 2026].
    GARCÍA, Paco, 2015. Entrevista a Adrian y Anita, energía, constancia, humildad… Salsero en la ciudad [online]. April 22, 2015. Available at: https://www.salseroenlaciudad.com/entrevista-a-adrian-y-anita-energia-constancia-humildad/ [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: interview with Adrián y Anita.
    MUCHA MERD!. WORLD TEAM PROJECT [online]. Blog. April 16, 2015. Available at: https://muchamerdmaquillandopasiones.blogspot.com/2015/04/world-team-project.html [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the blog dates the launch of Adrián y Anita’s network to 2013.
    LLANO CAMACHO, Isabel, 2015. La salsa en Barcelona: inmigración, identidad, músicas latinas y baile [online]. Doctoral dissertation. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2015, pp. 168-169. Available at: https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/tesis/2016/hdl_10803_377467/illc1de1.pdf [accessed October 21, 2026].
  9. ↩ The birth of Bachata Sensual : FERNÁNDEZ, Miriam, 2011. Soñar con los pies. Diario de Cádiz [online]. August 10, 2011. Available at: https://www.diariodecadiz.es/ocio/Sonar-pies_0_504549953.html [accessed October 21, 2026].
    LEÓN, Virginia, 2012. Cádiz, escaparate de la Bachata en el campeonato internacional. Diario de Cádiz [online]. October 27, 2012. Available at: https://www.diariodecadiz.es/ocio/Cadiz-escaparate-Bachata-campeonato-internacional_0_637736955.html [accessed October 21, 2026].
    BACHATA SENSUAL®. La historia detrás del estilo – De Cádiz al mundo [online]. Official website of Korke y Judith. Available at: https://bachatasensual.com/sobre-nosotros/ [accessed October 21, 2026].
    PORTAL DE CÁDIZ. Conoce el Sensual Week Cádiz 2023, un festival de baile sensual de bachata al estilo Cádiz [online]. Available at: https://www.portaldecadiz.com/mas-de-cadiz/cultura/77776-conoce-el-sensual-week-cadiz-2023-un-festival-de-baile-sensual-de-bachata-al-estilo-cadiz [accessed October 21, 2026].
    WIKIPEDIA. Bachata (dance) [online]. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachata_(dance) [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: cited for the earliest date.
  10. ↩ Academic research : HRYTSENIUK, Roman, 2020. Bachata as a dance form: performance and peculiarities of artistic image. Culture and Arts in the Modern World [online]. July 22, 2020, no. 21, pp. 201-209. DOI 10.31866/2410-1915.21.2020.208256. Available at: https://doi.org/10.31866/2410-1915.21.2020.208256 [accessed October 21, 2026].
    WILSON, Nia Qiu, 2021. Bachata Dance: Sexuality, Authenticity, and Community [online]. Master’s thesis. Texas A&M University, August 2021, pp. 26-30. Available at: https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/items/31a1f4b0-b4b4-489e-b774-8071344d90a5. Note: for the couple’s biography, the thesis draws on festival websites and social media; it is cited for its analysis of their style, not for the dates.
  11. ↩ UNESCO inscription of Dominican Bachata : UNESCO. Music and dance of Dominican Bachata [online]. Inscribed in 2019 (14.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Available at: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/music-and-dance-of-dominican-bachata-01514 [accessed October 21, 2026].
    UNESCO. Music and dance of Dominican Bachata [online]. Nomination form, in Spanish (PDF). Available at: https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/41807.pdf [accessed October 21, 2026].
  12. ↩ I Love Bachata festival, Louvain (Leuven) : ECATERINA LUNGU, 2015. Daniel & Desiree – I love bachata festival 2015 (Leuven, Belgium) [online]. Ecaterina Lungu, March 3, 2015. Available at: https://youtu.be/dCwl0O5BU-Y [accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: video uploaded by a female spectator at the festival.
    BE DANCE!, 2015. Daniel & Desiree – bachata in Leuven [online]. March 2, 2015. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20150313042744/http://www.be-dance.net:80/daniel-desiree-bachata-in-leuven [archived March 13, 2015, accessed October 21, 2026]. Note: the caption on the page mentions “I Love Bachata’s party in Leuven – 2013.”

Want to DANCE Bachata Sensual? Take the first step!

+1500 students have been there before you. Even those who swore they had “two left feet.” We’re waiting for you 💃

ONLINE STORE >
WHATSAPP >

🎁 Give a gift voucher · 📱 Online Bachata Sensual classes · 📖 Blog & articles

📞 +32 484 602 084

📱 Join the Studio24 COMMUNITY