About Us
Bachata Brotherhood is Latin Dance Company.
Its primary focus is Bachata Leads Styling.
Our goal is to create a dance team that feels like a brotherhood.
Our members can train with mentors, perform as a team, and grow together in both dance and in their personal life.
Founded by Xavier Stefano, we are currently located in Berkeley, Concord, Stockton, and Sacramento.
Xavier also offers other classes throughout the week as well.
Our Mission
Unity
We build a lifelong brotherhood founded on friendship and respect. We grow together in dance and in life
Growth
We pursue dance through disciplined training, creativity and personal growth, inspiring one another to reach our highest potential
Honor
We honor the culture of bachata and its roots, while protecting our community by keeping bachata safe and fun
General Information
Pricing
** Membership fee applies to all members training with Bachata Brotherhood**
Season starts September 7th
Season ends Jan 25th
20 weeks of training - 5 months of September through January
No rehearsal on Christmas week.
Performances mainly in January/February
Season Membership Fee $480 (Monthly payment option available - $100 a month, first and last must be paid upfront)
*Please discuss with Xavier student discounts or potential dance scholarship/financial options.
Includes discount for bachata Tuesday classes, BachataNightz Thursdays, and Rico Fridays at Ashkenaz
Please note that if you commit to be a member this season, any missed rehearsals will be at your expense and no refunds or adjustments will be made to the membership fee.
Brotherhood Structure
Every member can be recognized through five distinct systems:
Titles — Leadership and responsibility
Ranks — Progression within the Brotherhood
Orders — Special affiliations and distinctions
Levels — Dance and performance ability
Achievements — Accomplishments earned through participation and service
I. TITLES
Titles represent leadership, responsibility, or a specific duty within the Brotherhood. Titles are separate from Rank.
Founder
Founder and overall leader of the Bachata Brotherhood. Responsible for the vision, culture, structure, and long-term direction of the organization.
Commander
Leader of a Brotherhood region. A Commander oversees training, membership, and Brotherhood activities within their region.There is generally one Commander per region, although one Commander may oversee multiple regions.
Captain
A regional leadership position assisting the Commander. Multiple Captains may serve within a region.
Lieutenant
A developing leadership position below Captain. Lieutenants assist Brotherhood leadership and may be entrusted with specific responsibilities, teams, or assignments.
Brotherhood Offices
Members may also earn or be appointed to specialized titles:
Master-at-Arms — Helps train and develop new recruits and Squires.
Master Scout — Assists with recruitment and identifying potential members.
Master of Ceremonies — Coordinates Brotherhood events and ceremonies.
Master of Coin — Assists with budgets and Brotherhood finances.
Armorer — Oversees merchandise, uniforms, and Brotherhood gear.
Scribe — Assists with records, documents, and administration.
Steward — Tracks attendance and member participation.
Chronicler — Documents Brotherhood history through photography, video, and media.
II. RANKS
For more details and info about ranks click the link here.
Rank Progression: Squire → Knight → Noble → Royal → Elder
Ranks represent a member's progression and experience within the Brotherhood.
SQUIRE
New Recruit — Learning the Craft
• Joining the Brotherhood
• Signing the Code of Honor
• Continue Membership until Knighthood
KNIGHT
Full-Fledged Member — Has Earned Their Place
• Completing 1 season as Squire or Legacy
• Learning a complete choreography
• Take the Brotherhood Oath
NOBLE
Elite Member — A More Seasoned Dancer
• Complete 2 seasons as a Knight
OR
• Complete 1 Season as Knight
• Perform at 1 festival
• Perform at minimum 3 Events
ROYAL
Veteran Member — Bachata Is Life
• Complete 3 seasons as a Noble
OR
• Complete 1 Season as Noble
• Place in a commander-approved Jack & Jill
• Perform at minimum 3 Events during Noble season
ELDER
Highest Member — Dedicated Years to the Brotherhood
• Complete 3 seasons as a Royal
OR
• Complete 1 Season as Royal
• Place in professionally judged competition
• Perform at minimum 3 Events during Royal season
III. ORDERS
Orders represent special membership distinctions, shared history, or affiliation.
A member may belong to more than one Order.
Examples:
LEGACY GUARD - Members who participated in the Brotherhood's Legacy Season.
BEAR LEGION -Members who are UC Berkeley students or alumni.
IV. LEVELS
Levels represent current dance and performance ability.
Unlike Rank, a Level is based primarily on dance ability and the difficulty of the material being performed.
Performance Levels: Rising → Elite → Apex
A member's Rank and Level are independent.
For example, someone may be a Knight — Apex Level, while another member may be a Noble — Elite Level.
RISING
Foundation and developing dancers.
Focuses on fundamentals, technique, timing, body movement, confidence, and accessible choreography.
ELITE
Intermediate and advanced dancers.
Features increased technical difficulty, musicality, movement quality, coordination, and performance expectations.
APEX
Highest performance level.
Features the Brotherhood's most demanding choreography, faster tempos, tricks, advanced technique, performance quality, and execution.
