Argentine Tango Teachers and Classes in Auckland
There are a number of tango teachers in Auckland, each with their own approach to tango. Give them a go and see what suits you. Please go to the dance studio's website (where listed) for class or course details, or contact the teacher directly by phone or email for more accurate information.
Pasión Por Tango
www.pasionportango.com
different teachers, including local and international guest teachers
Parisian Building, 4 Poynton Terrace, Auckland Central (map)
info@pasionportango.com
+64 9 445 9544 (Marion Henton) or +64 9 528 5591 (Bev Goodwin)
+64 27 202 0501 (Marion Henton) or +64 21 258 5453 (Bev Goodwin)
Situated in a beautiful studio overlooking Myers Park, and only a stone's throw away from the lively K'Road, Pasión Por Tango is a convenient dance school, dedicated to tango-related dance forms. The Argentinian founding artistic director and instructor Diego Echenique (
interview) has now moved on, but quality classes are still available. The studio also hosts tango workshops from visiting professionals.
Class timetable (coming soon!)
El Tango
www.eltango.co.nz
Carl Robson and Erica Zarate
St. David's Church Hall, 70 Khyber Pass, Newmarket (map)
carl@eltango.co.nz
+64 9 630 6306
+64 21 280 4464
Carl is one of the first salon tango teachers in Auckland. He loves having tango de salón danced in cafes in front of the public and originally started the Wednesday Cafe Milonga in 2000, which is now at Limon. In addition to teaching tango in Auckland, he has classes in Tauranga.
Class timetable (updated 20 January 2012):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newmarket St. David's Church Hall, 70 Khyber Pass |
Wednesdays, 7 - 8pm | Level 1 Tango | Classes begin Wednesday 25 January. $15, no extra charge for Level 2 students attending both classes. |
| Newmarket St. David's Church Hall, 70 Khyber Pass |
Wednesdays, 8 - 9pm | Level 2 Tango |
Release
www.release.net.nz/tango.html
Craig (Sooty) Love ( interview) and Lisa Houghton
Mount Eden Village Centre Methodist Church, 449 Mount Eden Road (corner of Ngauruhoe Street), Mount Eden (map)
craig@release.net.nz
+64 9 835 2289
+64 22 066 8337
Sooty has great musicality, and as a "body worker", also a great awareness and understanding of how to get the best out of your body. His classes are fun and energetic, yet structured and informative, so you can be sure you will be inspired to dance.
Class timetable (updated 15 October 2011):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Eden Mount Eden Village Centre Methodist Church, 449 Mount Eden Road (corner of Ngauruhoe Street) |
Wednesdays, 7 - 8pm | Beginners Tango (Connection) | 26 October to 30 November |
| Mount Eden Mount Eden Village Centre Methodist Church, 449 Mount Eden Road (corner of Ngauruhoe Street) |
Wednesdays, 8 - 9pm | Intermediate Tango (Creativity) | 19 October to 30 November |
Casatango
Nigel and Cecile Bale
Takapuna Memorial Hall (next to the library), 1-7 The Strand, Takapuna (map)
and
Viva Latino Studio, 10 Newton Road, Newton (map)
+64 9 482 3394
+64 21 482 339
Nigel and Cecile are devoted to tango and used to organise the Tango Congress of New Zealand each year, in addition to their monthly milonga. They also sometimes give free tango classes on K'Rd and were among the first tango teachers in Auckland.
Class timetable (updated 30 January 2012):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takapuna Takapuna Memorial Hall (next to the library), 1-7 The Strand |
Thursdays, 7 - 8pm | Beginners Tango | Starts 9 February 2012. 6-week course, $70 per person |
| Takapuna Takapuna Memorial Hall (next to the library), 1-7 The Strand |
Thursdays, 8 - 9pm | Intermediate Tango | Starts 9 February 2012. 6-week course, $80 per person, or $15 per class. |
| Newton Viva Latino Studio, 10 Newton Road |
Fridays, 7 - 8pm | Intermediate Tango | Starts 3 February 2012. 6-week course, $80 per person, or $15 per class. |
| Newton Viva Latino Studio, 10 Newton Road |
Fridays, 8 - 9pm (or by appointment) | Private Lessons |
Dance Pasión Ltd - Tango Tiempo Dance School
www.tango.co.nz
John Flower and Felicity Rogers
Dance Studio, University of Auckland Recreation Centre, 17 Symonds Street, Auckland CBD (map)
info@dancepasion.co.nz
+64 9 580 0145
John and Felicity are stage tango dancers and have represented New Zealand multiple times in the World Tango Championships in the Stage Tango category. You don't see them around at the milongas much, but they will impress you with their performances. They teach sequences of steps in their classes, and there is always more to learn.
Class timetable (updated 17 September 2011):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland City Dance Studio, University of Auckland Recreation Centre, 17 Symonds Street |
Tuesdays, 7:15 - 8:15pm | Beginners and Intermediate Tango | 8-week block course: $75 |
John Young Dance Centre
www.johnyoungdance.co.nz
John and Anne Young
Level 3, Wellesley Court, 54 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD (map)
info@johnyoungdance.co.nz
+64 9 373 9000
While the John Young Dance Centre has a focus on ballroom and Latin dances, they also have classes in Argentine tango. The great thing about their classes is that students at higher levels are encouraged to join in at lower levels as well, so beginners can dance with more experienced dancers, and everybody can get more practice in.
Class timetable (updated 2 February 2010):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland City Level 3, Wellesley Court, 54 Wellesley Street West |
Wednesdays, 6 - 7pm | Beginners Tango | 10-week courses |
| Auckland City Level 3, Wellesley Court, 54 Wellesley Street West |
Wednesdays, 7 - 8pm | Intermediate Tango | 10-week courses |
| Auckland City Level 3, Wellesley Court, 54 Wellesley Street West |
Fridays, 6:30 - 7:30pm | Beginners Tango | 10-week courses |
| Auckland City Level 3, Wellesley Court, 54 Wellesley Street West |
Fridays, 7:30 - 8:30pm | Intermediate Tango | 10-week courses |
Dance Pro
www.dancepro.co.nz
Irina Kapeli ( interview) and Elena Mananova
Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road, Parnell (map)
info@dancepro.co.nz
+64 21 127 7573
+64 9 550 5748
Irina (owner of Dance Pro) and Elena have both been dancing from a young age in Russia, beginning with rhythmic gymnastics and ballet. They have since picked up a variety of dances including salsa, tango and jazz. In addition to Russian folk, contemporary, hip hop, modern jive and other dance forms, Irina has choreographed her own dance performances, while Elena has trained in martial arts. The dance studio offers a wide range of classes at multiple locations, including pilates and zumba.
Class timetable (updated 3 January 2012):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parnell Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road |
Wednesdays, 8 - 9pm | Beginners Tango with Elena | 8 week course starts 1 Feb 2012. $120, or a couple for $180 |
| Parnell Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road |
Wednesdays, 8 - 9pm | Improvers Tango with Irina | Starts 18 January 2012, ongoing classes. $15 per class or $130 for 10 classes. Student discounts available. |
Zanaboni Tango & Salsa
www.zanabonidesign.com/tango-salsa
Maida Zanaboni Doleman ( interview)
42 Silverton Avenue, Waiotaiki Bay, Auckland (map)
designer@zanabonidesign.com
+64 9 575 8245
+64 21 230 6991
Maida teaches a style of tango which is called milonguero style, characterised by a close embrace, a slight lean or apilado, and short steps—great for dancing in crowded places. She runs small classes in her home, and will talk at length about technique, especially The Connection. Although over 60 (you don't mind us saying that, do you, Maida?) her dancing feet are amazing to watch and she sure can show us younger ones a thing or two about adornos.
Class timetable (updated 24 January 2010):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Innes 42 Silverton Avenue |
By appointment | Private Lessons | Group private classes (4 - 6 persons): $20 per person Private classes (one couple or two individuals):
|
Maida is currently teaching group classes at the Pasión Por Tango studio.
Toca Tango
Martyn Atack and Vikki Brannagan ( interview)
Unit E, 4 William Pickering Drive, Rosedale (off Constellation Drive) (map)
info@tocatango.co.nz
+64 9 415 2926
+64 27 482 3756 (Vikki), +64 21 280 6585 (Martyn)
Martyn and Vikki's passion for tango has led them to open their own studio on the North Shore, as well as travel to Buenos Aires on numerous occasions to gain new insights to their dancing and teaching. Although they give lessons most evenings, they still find time to practise and dance socially with the wider tango community.
Class timetable (updated 3 October 2011):
| Location | Day/Time | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosedale Unit E, 4 William Pickering Drive (off Constellation Drive) |
Times by appointment: usually Tuesday - Thursday, Saturday | Private Lessons and Practice Sessions | Private Lessons: (One couple, or individual leaders or followers.)
Small Private Group Classes: (Typically two leaders and two followers.)
The Studio may be hired for dancer's own practice sessions, subject to availability. Practice sessions (for leaders) with Vikki are also available. For enquiries, or to book a lesson, please email or call Vikki. |