MonTango Course Descriptions
Thematic courses spring/summer 2023
Técnica y adornos (Saturday 1 p.m., 6 weeks starting April 15): Master your own technique in order to be a better partner and to dance more beautifully. Work on posture, technique, balance and – yes – embellishments! (T3 and +) With Corinne
Intermediate Tango: Parallel vs. cross system (Wednesday 8:15 p.m., 8 weeks starting June 14): Demystify and master the two systems and how they work together (T3 and +) With Andrea and Wolf
Inter-advanced Tango: Spirals (Tuesday 8:15 p.m., 8 weeks starting June 13): Discover the spirals of this dance, from those involved in the body's twists and turns to moves like crosses, giros, enrosques and more. (T6 and +) With Andrea and Wolf
Leading Ladies: the sequel (Thursday 6:45 p.m., 8 weeks starting June 15): For women who lead. Dance both roles while learning to lead with clarity, fluidity, musicality – and no stress! With Andrea and Corinne
Technique de guide (Monday 7:30 p.m., 6 weeks starting June 26): Want to lead like Wolf? Now's your chance! Improve your lead as well as your overall technique in this four-week series. Prerequisite Tango 4 or equivalent. With Wolf Mercado
Tango 1 (beginner 1)
Intro to the principles and basic techniques of Argentine tango. Walking, embrace and musicality plus: basic steps and positions, balanceos and ochos.
Tango 2 (beginner 2)
Principles and basic techniques II: cross system. Ochos, paradas and turns.
Tango 3 (intermediate 1)
Walking sequences, the 3 lanes, direction changes, ochos, giros (left and right turns).
Tango 4 (intermediate 2)
The third lane and new moves: calesita, alteration, barrida, gancho.
Tango 5 (intermediate 3)
Navigating and better managing space: circularity, direction changes, new positions (the diagonal and the "americana" position) and more turns.
Tango 6 (inter-advanced)
Dancing in close embrace: posture, technique and the best moves for dancing in small spaces.
Milonga 1: New rhythms and steps
(prerequisite: Tango 3)
An introduction to the steps and musicality of milonga.
Milonga 2
(prerequisite: Milonga 1 or equivalent)
A deeper exploration of the steps and musicality of milonga lisa (smooth) and milonga traspie (double-time).
Vals 1: New rhythms and steps
(prerequisite: Tango 3)
An introduction to the musicality and energy of tango-waltz, using known figures as well as new ones especially well-suited to this musical style.
Vals 2
(prerequisite: Vals 1 or Tango 6)
A deeper exploration of the musicality and energy of tango-waltz, with a focus on interesting new, intricate sequences with specific rhythmic patterns.
Tango Drills
In this fun, challenging and useful course you will improve your dancing by working on your technique, rhythm and agility. Didactic exercises are followed by sequences set to music. Each week we work on a specific theme, for example "ochos" or "adornos." For all levels, partners not required. With Andrea and Wolf.
Choreographic workshops
Build a number for presentation. In this course, participants will learn and perfect a synchronized group choreography. You will learn new and interesting sequences while working on musical precision and the particularities of tango for performance. The process of working instensively on a choreography, perfecting and synchronizing precise and sometimes complex movements and sequences gives a huge boost to participants' skills and technique. Please note that regular attendance is required for this course.
Next offered in 2022.
YOGA
with Andrea Shepherd
A yoga class that underlines the benefits of the different poses and exercises for tango … and for everyday life. You will improve your strength, flexibility, posture and balance. No experience in either yoga or tango is required. The use of props (blocks, blankets and straps) makes the postures available to everyone. Bring your mat. Andrea is a certified yoga instructor with 500 hours of yoga teacher training in addition to a fitness instructor certification and decades of experience teaching tango.
Friday drop-in classes
Every Friday evening before our Connexion Tango milonga we offer a 45-minute drop-in lesson. The teachers will show and give feedback on a move, concept or sequence. The theme alternates monthly among tango, milonga and vals. It is recommended to come with a partner.
Private lessons
One-hour private lessons available for individuals or couples.
Struggling with your moves, stability or lead/follow skills? Frustrated with the pace of group classes? Private classes are the best way to improve your dancing, while working at your own rhythm. You can take private lessons with or without a partner, and they may be taken in place of or as a supplement to group classes. You can also use privates to build a choreography for presentation. Package deals available.
