A tango cohort is a group of students working together at a general level of tango towards the common goal of advancing. Students who start tango around the same time in a new studio or community generally form a “cohort” or “team” to create community, study together and form friendships that support one another in the social world of tango. Creating tango cohorts is done in an effort to build up lasting tango communities.

Students start tango as “Absolute Beginners” in a Tango Foundations cohort. Tango Foundations is a series of classes that lays the foundation for your dance. We start with the key elements of the embrace, the walk, and basic phrasing using starting and stopping. Students will receive basic building blocks for tango, such as an introduction to changing directions, basic concepts of musicality, walking formations (parallel and cross system) and utilizing basic technique to navigate a social dance floor. Students are expected to stay in a Tango Foundations cohort about six months, although this can vary by studio/community.

Cohorts will advance together onto a second-level class series, Beyond Basics, which includes developing tango repertoire, understanding phrasing, growing in musicality and putting together tango figures to make for a more dynamic dance.

Cohorts will continue to advance together to additional levels. However, students in an existing cohort will always have the option to advance into the next cohort level with their group, or stay back when a new cohort starts a series to spend more time in a certain level. For example, I encourage folks to jump into the Foundations cohort at any time because everything taught throughout this series is considered to be an essential piece of information for an “absolute beginner.” However, if a student starts tango for the first time in the middle of Tango Foundations, and wants to stay back when a new Tango Foundations cohorts starts , I encourage them to do so. I don’t want students to have to wait until a new cohort refreshes to join class for the first time. That being said, jumping into a cohort midway means some explanations of key elements may have been missed. Going back and completing the Foundations series from day-one might be best for some some folks.

Argentine Tango is a dance built on beautiful foundations that we’re working on polishing throughout our whole tango life. Key elements such as the walk, embrace and start/stop are essential to the success of one’s dance. Students will have the option to advance with the Beyond Basics cohort when they feel confident in their foundations. If they feel ready to move forward but still want to continue practicing their foundations, they will have the opportunity to advance, while also continuing with the new Foundations cohort (doubling up) to work both at the same time. Advancing students can always go back and join in with a new Tango Foundations cohort if they want to brush up on their foundations at any time. Everyone’s learning process is different, which makes us human!

World Embrace Tango is officially offering the service of “cohort launching” in your studio or community.

Learning tango requires commitment and community. If you have a group of people interested in tango at your studio, chapter, or town, I would love to chat about launching a Tango Foundations cohort with you.

Not ready to launch a cohort with your group? I am available to come to you to provide an “Intro to Tango” workshop as well as other single-topic focused workshops.

If you are looking for a cohort near you, check out the Classes page or connect with me directly.

Not ready to join a cohort? Check out the Classes page for the next upcoming “Intro to Tango for Absolute Beginners workshop”- we are offering introductory “Tastes of Tango” around the South Sound on a regular basis for you to dip your toe into tango and see if it’s for you!

Social Argentine tango has a focus on the tango experience within social dancing. How we dance on a crowded dance floor versus a clear stage is different and with separate goals. Social Argentine is focused on connection, embrace, floor navigation and musicality. Important skills to develop for social dance include learning how to adapt to each, new partner and varying experience levels, finding connections with many different style dancers, and communication on the dance floor. It’s important to participate in general tango culture so that we can navigate the dance floor and social setting with more ease (and have the most fun!). However, social Argentine tango culture should feel inclusive, non-competitive, focused on community building and sharing the love of the dance.

I do not teach with a focus on figures. My method gives you individual building blocks so that you become an empowered tango dancer in your own right. Together we will train technique, study the music and build tools for connection with others. I also focus heavily on developing the skills of improvisation and musical interpretation. Social Argentine tango is about connecting with your partner, enjoying the music and creating something together in the present moment. I believe it’s important to study the possibilities of each individual step, in order to truly achieve the above mentioned goals. Self reflection and returning to the body to connect also helps us dance well with others.

Stage tango involves memorizing sequences, often choreographies, that show larger movements which focus on lines, tricks and ornaments. Stage movements encourage you to find your maximum and push your athletic abilities. While I have experience with stage and am happy to help you understand this style more deeply, my focus is growing a social Argentine tango community that promotes fun, play and musical interpretation within the dance.

I do not believe you have to do a ton of body conditioning to dance socially. The goal of social dance is to connect, be present and enjoy. Technique is important to support these goals. You do not need to do any additional exercise routine, however exercise like yoga, Pilates and girokinesis all promote health, balance, stability and mindfulness. These skills are transferable to tango and can only benefit you. But please take heart, we are not looking to develop athletes or acrobats; I am committed to helping all abilities and ages enjoy social Argentine. There are always adaptations or tools we can use to help you feel confident and free on the dance floor.

Wondering what to consider when selecting a tango teacher or mentor?

Effective tango teaching is not a one-size-fits-all. It is important to consider that there are many different styles, approaches, and goals when it comes to tango; rarely is something “wrong.”

There is no international certification board for tango, no professional standard, therefore tango itself is highly subjective and it becomes difficult to suss out quality versus taste. Herein lies the beauty and the danger, making tango an art form, not a science.

However, as a student, you are a paying customer and you want to qualify who and what you are paying for. Personally, I have taken classes with dozens of teachers, ranging from life-changingly incredible, all the way to a complete waste of time.

After years of money and time in investment, here are some of the things I now look for before studying with or accepting feedback from someone else. They don’t have to check every box, but I consider the following before I give my time, money (or quite frankly, worry), to what they have to say about my tango:

• How long have they been dancing? Time is an essential ingredient in the making of a seasoned tango dancer. No matter the repertoire, no matter how many milongas they are pounding a night, they simply cannot have mastery over tango in a year or two. There is a deeper understanding of the dance the comes from years of experience that simply cannot be imitated.

• Do they have international experience with tango? Do they understand tango in a global capacity? I am wondering if they have traveled to dance tango in other places, taught in other countries, taken with teachers from different countries, etc.

• Is their understanding of tango built upon multiple resources? Meaning, have they had more than one teacher, or experienced more than one dance community? Do they understand different styles, schools of thought and have they studied those? Have they studied technique, musicality, body mechanics, etc. and is their information informed by more than one source or life experience (dance, yoga, body conditioning, understanding of music theory, etc.)?

• Are they continuing their education? It’s simple …do they still take classes themselves? If they are no longer studying -and I mean regularly- their dance is atrophying, and they are not in a position to give feedback.

• Do they have experience with my specific goals? If you are most interested in becoming comfortable with social dancing, perhaps a teacher that is a great social dancer and has a lot of experience in the milonga is a good fit. If you are interested in performing on a stage, it’s important to pick a teacher that has performed before. If competition is a goal, seek guidance from those who are actively in the competition arena.

• Do they have a body of students that reflect positively on their behalf? The quality of dance of their students is one thing to consider, absolutely, but remember that every student is ultimately responsible for their own learning and everyone learns at their own pace. I would suggest that satisfaction of students is another factor to consider as well. Are their students happy, enjoying their process, returning, building community, etc.?

• Is the teacher reliable, communicative and invested? I have experienced classes with world famous teachers that treated me like just another number, and classes with not so famous teachers that have coached me for years through the mud and the muck. Guess whose more impactful? The most effective teachers are the ones that are invested in your long term success. Look at their scheduling process, their response time, their ability to accommodate, and their attitude towards their students. This is equally as important as their dance skills!

*Pro tip! Almost all of these considerations work when receiving feedback from another student in class or a fellow dancer on the dance floor! Receiving feedback from a peer has value. It’s always nice to reflect on the truth to anyone’s comments. When you do so, consider the above and if none is true about the giver, go ahead and bless and release.

Argentine Tango is a social dance, meant to be enjoyed with friends. A practica is a casual social event where tango students gather with the intention to work on their dance in a less structured setting like a class or workshop. A practica often resembles a milonga in terms of tango music; tandas and cortinas are usually played. However, the more formal etiquette of a milonga generally does not apply. It is acceptable to work with a practice partner, ask for feedback and study tango concepts with your partner on the dance floor.

Here are some guidelines and expectations for World Embrace Tango Practicas:

All levels are welcome at the practica! This is the most valuable time to learn how to navigate a tango social for beginners. You can dance as much or as little as you wish. Watching is also allowed. No tolerance policy for discrimination- we welcome everyone and encourage everyone to practice.

The practica is intended for practicing. This is your time and you are encouraged to maximize it for that purpose.

Please note that there will be a bowl at the sign in table for you to set an intention or goal for your practice each practica. No need to write your name, but please do take a moment to think about what you’d like to work on each time and place 1-3 words in the bowl. Share them with your practice partners throughout the night if that feels helpful to you. I will be using our community’s intentions to guide my teaching in that season.

I play *tandas and cortinas as an option to practice how they are used in a social setting. You are welcome to use this format to practice the social aspects of the dance, including *cabaceo, but you do not have to. Practica is an informal space. You are welcome to enter or exit dancing mid-tanda, share more than one tanda with a practice partner, or stop and study a movement with your dance partner during the tanda. This is practice time, not a formal milonga.

While we do keep a *ronda flowing during practica in the main space, you are welcome to use the foyer, or the back area by the tables to practice a movement or drill. The entire winery is available to us and I encourage you to use every nook and cranny to practice.

No need to dress to impress! If you love wearing your favorite tango skirt, go for it! However, the practica is not formal and we have zero expectation you look or dress a certain way. My only request is that you consider proper hygiene, please and thank you, as we are dancing together in a small space.

The event space is setup to have a social section on purpose. I want you to come for more than a dance. Please use this space to land the plane after work, meet up with friends, talk or study tango at the table, encourage each other and meet friends in your tango community. It’s also an extra challenge to learn to cabaceo in busy environments. Give it a try for practice!

I am available for dances and consultation. If you’d like to work on something specific, don’t be afraid to ask me for a dance with a specific goal in mind. If a movement isn’t working with you and your partner, feel free to call me over - I can help you troubleshoot it.

The practica is YOUR space. If you’d like to see something happen with that time, please let me know. You get to set the culture, the mood and the norms. It’s as casual or formal as you make it. Remember, you are the tango community!

If you have questions, concerns, anxieties -whatever- please do reach out to me. I want all WET events to reflect our tango community and your needs. I am available by DM or email and I LOVE getting together with my fellow tanguerxs to hear your ideas, wants and needs.

A milonga is a more formal social tango event. People enjoy dressing nicely, gathering with friends and getting together socially to enjoy the tango music. Traditional etiquette is followed at a milonga, which generally includes using the cabeceo to ask others to dance, dancing with your partner for a tanda (generally three to four songs) and breaking for cortinas to switch partners. The milonga is considered a place to enjoy the tango, therefore studying, teaching or providing feedback on another’s dance is frowned upon. We’re there to have a good time!

Milonga etiquette, vibe, formality, even dress varies widely among communities and dance cultures. What’s most important is to be aware that a milonga is a social dance, meant for enjoyment. We practice and give feedback in designated places only. Rules about cabaceo, dress, role switching etc. will be highly dependent on the specific dance you are attending, and the best thing you can do is be aware of your surroundings. Words like “traditional, milonguero, nuevo, casual, alternative” all give us clues. If you can do any homework ahead of time, great (dress, vibe, music, etc.). If something you are doing feels out of place or isn’t working (such as not getting any dances by waiting to be asked verbally, etc.) try a different approach and see what happens.

It is also okay to ask the organizer of the event about expectations, cultural norms, etc. If you’re really unsure, reach out to the organizer ahead of time and ask them to give you a run down on the event.

The cabeceo is a traditional way of asking another person to dance using the connection of the gaze and the nod of confirmation instead of using words. It is considered a polite and gentle way to ask for, and decline, a tanda. This is a longstanding tradition, still widely used among most tango communities. You do not have to use the cabeceo, but it is important to note that it is a respected and widely used tradition and many tango dancers only use the cabeceo to initiate the dance in many milongas. If you do not wish to use the cabeceo, that is your choice, however you may be limiting the number of dances you receive in certain dance communities or at some events.

If you feel uneasy with the cabeceo, you aren’t alone. This is completely normal! Using the cabeceo appropriately and with confidence is a skill just like every other aspect of tango. If you’d like some guidance, I am here to help. To assist, there is some great material written on the subject! Dimitris Bronowski has written a book, How to Dance More in Milongas for Followers, which can be found on Amazon. He provides helpful information around both the approach to the cabeceo, as well as our general attitude towards having more fun and getting more dances in a social setting. Much of this book is applicable to leads and the information is good for everyone. Dimitris Bronowski has several other great books on other tango topics, as well.

A “tanda” is a set of 3-4 tango songs played in which you are expected to dance with the same partner. You choose your partner during the “cortina,” a small intermission between tandas that allows for a change between tandas. You are welcome to take a break at this time or find a new partner. Cortinas are not tango music and last anywhere from 30 seconds to an entire song. I like to play an entire alternative song during my practica, as it gives time to talk with partners between tandas, and even dance tango to something alternative.

Every DJ approaches tandas and cortinas differently. However, it is generally considered rude to break away from your partner mid tanda unless that partner is harming you in some way (hurting you, being unpolite or inappropriate).

It is very normal to have 4 songs per tanda at a formal milonga with shorter cortinas. It is common to find people using the time for the cortina to engage in the tradition of the cabaceo and try to find a partner for their next tanda. In more formal settings, you may see less socializing during cortina time or around the dance floor as people that are serious about dancing are looking to find a partner.

If someone is not talking with you during a cortina, it’s likely they are looking to dance. Similarly, if someone is not looking your direction for a specific tanda, they may be looking for a break after their last tanda or are saving the next tanda/music selection for a certain person. It’s important we understand the nuances around these traditions so that we enjoy the process and avoid miscommunications with other people.

If you grew up in the United States and English is your first language, it’s super normal to be struggling to connect with and understand tango music. If you want to dance Argentine tango, it’s important to study the music as much as the dance steps.

To get started, try listening to tango music at home or in the car. I have created a playlist, embedded on this page below, for the absolute beginner, with clear rhythmic base, as well as rhythmic and melodic sections. These are the songs I use most often in my Tango Foundations classes, as well as private lessons with beginners. Feel free to share it! If you’re looking for a more intermediate playlist, please ask! I have a Spotify playlist that I use for Beyond Basics and I am happy to share.

You may also enjoy the book: Getting to Know 20 Tango Orchestras by David Thomas, which can be purchased on Amazon here-

https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Know-Twenty-Tango-Orchestras/dp/0995534403

Having the right shoes will absolutely enhance your dance experience and keep your body healthy and dancing safely for a long time. If you are a beginner and unsure about the investment in tango shoes, wearing universal dance shoes from an online store like Amazon or Light in the Box could get you started for a cheaper price. If you plan on dancing multiple styles such as Tango, Zouk and Salsa, having a comfortable dance sneaker at an affordable price is a great place to start. https://www.taygra.shoes/

You can also wear ballroom dance shoes or ballet/jazz shoes. If you don’t have a pair of working dance shoes, you may start in your socks or soft/suede sole shoes.

If you plan to invest your time in tango, planning for tango dance shoes is important. Tango shoes for both men and women are built to provide support that mitigate potential injury. The bottoms of tango shoes are also designed for pivoting safely on the dance floor.

Regina Tango has a wide variety of attractive tango shoes for men and women. This is a brand I highly recommend. They offer varying size heel heights and thickness in tango shoes for women. You do not have to dance in a stiletto to dance tango! There are many styles that are functional, comfortable and stylish (including very high heel, kitten heel and even adorable flats) available from this brand.

https://www.reginatangoshoes.com/en/woman-shoes.html

If you want to try Regina, I suggest contacting Yuli at Yuli-B Tango shoes. She is a great contact for women’s shoes in general, as she sells quality brands and will communicate with you about your feet before sending. She will also send you a couple pairs to try on and her return policy is excellent.

Yuli-b.com

For men’s shoes, I also recommend

Strictly4dancers.com

Axistango.com is also great option for men and women’s shoes.

If you have any questions about shoes, feel free to reach out to me directly, I have lots of experience in this area. Tango shoes are an investment and it’s important you find the right shoe for you!

Private lessons focusing on musicality and technique are a great supplement to group classes and social dancing.

I have a strong belief that dance technique is simply a tool we use to get us closer to our other goals in tango: connection, artistry and feeling confident on the social dance floor. If there’s no focus on technique, it’s hard to achieve balance, flow and experience the pleasure of letting go when you’re out to have a good time. However, there is such thing as the technique rabbit hole (trust me, I’ve been down it).

If being a confident social dancer is your goal, group classes, nor privates alone are going to get you there entirely. “Floor time,” as we say- time clocked social dancing- is really how you become the most proficient tango dancer. The best thing you can do as a beginner is get a practice buddy, attend practicas and milongas REGULARLY, attend group classes, and take some private lessons. Solo practice is valuable as well.

I’d love to have a conversation about what draws you to tango and which techniques to incorporate into your dance to get you even closer to your dreams. If private lessons don’t feel affordable right now, let’s chat and see if there something we can do to make tango fit into your budget. Money should never be a barrier to learning tango. If you’re unsure if privates are right for you, I’m happy to grab a coffee and chat about it!

Embodiment is the practice of returning to the present experiences of the body. Embodiment in tango is an act of being present, attuned to your body and the body of the another person. We do this by working to free our mind of thoughts or worries that are not related to the present moment and sense what’s going on inside our bodies to facilitate connected movement. We use the body as a tool to bring us more depth, understanding and enjoyment in the dance. Embodiment is not a mental exercise. Instead, we use breathwork, touch, movement and attuning to our senses to guide us.

Repertoire, musicality, technique- there are many onramps to learning tango but they all converge in one place - 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. I find that students of tango ultimately end up asking the same question- 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨？ Leads- 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨？ Follows- 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰? The tango rabbit holes always lead us to connection. Connection is the secret sauce in this whole thing. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵？We truly connect in the embrace when we are present, engaged and allow ourselves to be fully human.

Knowingly or not, we show up to the dance with all “our stuff.” If we are attuning, we acknowledge this reality and we allow ourselves to engage in relationship with another human (even if it’s just one evening, just for a tanda). Now, relationships are messy, and without a doubt, if we’re to feel the security we need in the arms of another person - to move freely and express ourselves confidently - 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩. This is hard enough to do with the closest people in our lives, let alone a stranger. I believe the heart of this is in the empathy we have for others and our attunement not only to them, but to ourselves. This stuff is real, it’s hard and it’s happening moment to moment as we hold another human being in our arms. If we’re actively working on this, we’re connecting. If we’re connecting, we’re together. When we can feel we’re working as a team, we’re much more likely to move together physically. That’s the only way to get this thing going; 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨．

Embodiment is a tool we use to find connection by attuning with our bodies first. We can use our bodies to guide us to our tension, emotions, guarded places, and also use the body to break down barriers that keep us from connecting.

I have some incredible students who are taking on this work. Together we are studying what it means to be a complex human in a body, dancing with another complex human in a body, moving together in a stable, safe, peaceful, fun, and enjoyable way. I am actively using techniques that bring us into the body in order to create deeper connections. In a culture that promotes surface level relationships, forces us to rush from commitment to commitment, and focuses on the outcome rather than the process, this is challenging, noble work for any mover. It takes patience, self reflection and time. Any tango dancer who’s experienced even the briefest moments of genuine connection with another person on the dance floor will tell you… the deeper work is worth the investment.

For more information around tango and embodiment, listen to me share my personal story and talk about these topics in depth with Shauna from LifeTurnedOn Podcast. You can listen on Apple at the following link:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2-e19-on-exploring-embodiment-through-tango/id1697971292?i=100065789Life Turned On Podcast7814

If you are looking to explore embodied dance in a classroom setting, I teach a group class every Monday night at Heartsong Village Center from 7-8pm. This is not a tango class, but here we explore embodied movement practices (yoga, thai chi, dance, mindfulness) as both individuals and in partner work.

If you are looking for further resources around embodiment and tango, please check out sacredbodies.ca for resources, workshops and helpful discussions. Hans Peter Meyer has dedicated his entire business to this practice and offers a plethora of information.