If you’ve found this article, you probably don’t need to be told what merengue is. But let’s run things down very briefly to start us off.

Merengue, the Latin-American musical style originating on the island of Hispaniola (comprising the Dominican Republic and Haiti), has over the past three or four decades become one of the most popular Latin styles on the planet. Why should this be?

All Latin styles have their own unique rhythmic drive and excitement, but merengue has a killer advantage – it’s easy for clumsy beginners to dance to. Even shy, uncoordinated rhythm-illiterate Europeans and North Americans. Sure, merengue dancing can be elevated to a beautiful art form, but it can easily be learned and enjoyed by anyone in five minutes flat.