Tucson Tango Festival - List of Instructors & DJs

We wanted instructors that are community builders. We want instructors that dance with the community where they are teaching. We wanted to bring you the type of instructors that are gifted at saying the right thing at the right time. Pay attention here, and you may find your tango has improved for a life time.

Michelle Erdemsel took her first steps in dance at the age of 6 at the world renowned San Francisco School of Ballet and continued with such greats as David Howard in NYC. Her dance experience can only be described as eclectic, ranging from modern, jazz, flamenco, hula and theatre dance. Michelle spent many years touring with famous Musical Artists such as Liza Minelli in prestigious venues like Prince Albert Royal Hall in London, Off Broadway theatres in NYC, Stadiums and Arenas in Europe, South America and the US. Michelle has dedicated her life to teaching and dancing tango with her husband and partner Murat. Together they travel to teach at major festivals and perform at the milongas as well as with live music such as the Color Tango Orchestra.

Murat and Michelle have been living on the road and teaching for almost 4 years now. Their teaching and performing style is in high demand in Europe, Australia and the USA. Murat and Michelle's Website

Ney Melo and Jennifer Bratt dance an elegant style of social tango which is rooted in the traditions of the neighborhood of Villa Urquiza in Buenos Aires. (Read an article from the Clarin Newspaper and find out more about Villa Urquiza style.) Their dance is defined by a smooth and graceful walk, a powerful sense of musicality, classic steps entwined with intricate embellishments, and an intimate embrace. Their passion and respect for tango, its culture, and its music is clearly evidenced in their dance, as well as in their teaching. They are based in San Francisco.

In their classes together, Ney and Jennifer are dedicated to inspiring students to dance tango with feeling, musicality, cadencia, and connection - the way it is danced in Buenos Aires. The atmosphere in their classes is relaxed, personable and lively, and they place equal emphasis on the ladys role as the mens. Technique and the essence of tango, both fundamental to dancing well, are stressed in whatever step is being shown. Ney and Jennifer have recently taught and performed in Italy, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Romania and Australia, as well as extensively all over North America. Ney's Website Teaching Site and more info

Ruben Harymbat (Ruben de Pompeya) came to the United States for the first time this April. He taught and performed at the Chicago Mini Tango Festival (www.chicagotangofestival). Ruben is a milonguero from the golden era of tango. Ruben was born, bred and still living with his wife Haydee in the Buenos Aires barrio of Pompeya. Ruben known as "Ruben de Pompeya" is 69 years old. He began dancing when he was 14 years old. In those days before professional teaching developed, he learned from his brothers and male cousins and friends. They would practice together every year to participate in the annual carnival.
Although highly respected for his dancing, Ruben never wanted to take his dancing to a professional level. He describes himself as a humble man who has always kept a low profile. Ruben worked for 43 years in the Argentine Post Office.
His performance partners have included Anna Maria Schapira, Alicia Pons, Susana Miller, Maria Plazaola, Enriqueta Kleinman , and Marisa Galindo among others. Ruben was invited to perform in November 2007 for the Congress of the Nation of Argentina in homage in "Recognition to the Milongueros of the night in Buenos Aires."
Ruben participated in the 2007 and 2008 Festival Tango Estilo Milonguero and also at the 2008 Chicago Mini Tango Festival. He has given seminars with Susana Miller and Maria Plazaola at "La Academia" in Buenos Aires. Ruben has also made numerous trips to Brazil to teach and perform.

Enriqueta Kleinman has danced tango for over 15 years. She presently teaches group and private classes in Buenos Aires. The classes are for both men and women. She is an expert in Salon Tango - Milonguero Style, Tango Waltz and Milonga. Enriqueta also specializes in teaching technique for women and has led many courses and seminars. She performed at the Third and Fifth Metropolitan Championships in Buenos Aires. She has done a number of performances in Buenos Aires including at Salon Canning, Cachirulo (Maipu 444), and at the Confiteria Ideal at the First Milongueando Festival in Buenos Aires. She has been an instructor at Susana Miller's La Academia and presently teaches at Maipu 444. Enriqueta recently taught and performed in San Diego, Iowa, Chicago, and at May Madness at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Enriqueta also speaks English, having lived for several years in New York City.

A message from Rusty, one of the festival organizers: “Grisha taught a musicality class in Denver, that could only be taught by a world class musician! He explained in easy to understand common language (as opposed to the typical monologue of a musician) what makes a milonga, tango and vals different to hear and dance. He approached the evolution of tango in a way that was so clear and easy to follow, because he taught the class with his guitar in his lap. He would play a phrase from a traditional old classic Italian song and then compare that to a traditional tango changing the rhythms and explaining the changes as they entered your ear. Grisha's class will not only cause you to listen to and hear tango music differently, it will inspire you to move differently. His class is cross between a private musical performance by a premier world-class guitarist, a tango musical history lesson and a musicality class that will change the way you approach tango forever."

In 2005, Grisha was invited to play live with Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa for their performance during C.I.T.A. (Congreso International de Tango Argentino) at Teatro Astral and Salon Canning in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Solid Gold DJs:

Subashini Ganesan (Portalnd Oregon) has been DJ'ing since 2004. In Portland, she often guest DJ's at Traditional Tango Milongas hosted by Robert Hauk and Meghan Pingree. She has DJ'ed at Maui Tango festivals and at the 2008 SFTX festival. When living in Maui, she hosted a weekly Traditional Tango Practica. She has spent (and still spends) copious hours working with, learning from, and geeking out with her dear friend and Tango teacher Steven Payne (Portland, OR), who she considers her primary DJ influence.

Tango music occupies my thoughts and energizes my spirit and I am in constant search for good music. Although I try to vary the music I play, I am heavily influenced by the style of dance in Buenos Aires as well as the music played at the milongas there so feel free to call me old fashioned.

Erik is a passionate nuevo tanguero - of course he dances traditional salon as well - and has hosted alternative milongas here in Tucson for the past 5 or 6 years; the locals love him for his original spin of alternative music, and you will too! He won hands down as the choice for the alternative milonga, he is sure to surprise and please with his clever ear for alternative rhythms and scores.

Some say it is risky to use a local DJ. Not this time! Eirk is poised and set to help you pull out your alternative thoughts and bravados!

Dave Donatiu (Boulder, CO) quickly immersed himself in Argentine tango realizing he had found his life's passion. Dave brings his deep passion, radiant enthusiasm and fun creativity to DJ'ing, teaching, dancing and performing Tango. You may recognize him as the tanguero always wearing a headband.

As a DJ, Dave continues to accumulate rave reviews with consistent distinct feedback: "I smiled more than I ever have!"; "I had more fun at your milonga than any up 'til now."; "Your milonga had the most upbeat music I have ever heard!" Dave loves to frolic with the dynamics of a room's energy through mixed use of wide-ranging melodies and rhythms, utilizing the orchestras to their full potential. Dave has DJ'ed in several communities around the U.S., and at home in Denver at Cheesman Park, the Mercury Cafe, Tango Colorado practicas and his MILONGA TANGO VIVIENDO.

Varo's immersion into the world of Argentine Tango started in Los Angeles, California. Over the next four years he has become an active participant and an integral part of the tango community in Los Angeles. He devoted himself to becoming a skillful social dancer, mastering floorcraft, musicality, and establishing connection with the partner.

Knowing how important music is for a good social tango experience, Varo has been extensively studying the music, composers, band leaders, and styles. He has become a very well respected DJ in the community, regularly playing music at the "Tango Fusion" alternative milonga, UCLA Milonga and many other elegant and traditional milongas in Los Angeles. He has also been invited on many occaisions to guest-DJ at the "DIVO" Milonga and the "El Encuentro" Milonga in LA.

Rose Kress, CYT 250, LFYP-L2, began practicing yoga over 10 years ago and has been teaching since 2004. She is certified in Hatha Yoga at the 250-hour level and is a LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Level 2. Rose teaches classes and workshops throughout the Tucson area. Rose's Web Site

Rose has been blessed to teach classes at The Crossings in Austin, TX and at Kripalu in Lenox, MA under the guidance of her teacher, Amy Weintraub. Rose has also studied with Rama Jyoti Vernon.