Tova and Carlos teaching tango

All are welcome at our classes; all ages, singles and couples, gays and lesbians. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to the first lesson so class can start on time after last-minute registration.
If you are new to Argentine tango, or to our classes, please read the FAQ page.


Tova and Carlos Moreno have limited availability for PRIVATE LESSONS.


Visit our EVENTS page for workshop, practica, and performance information.

 

Argentine Tango Classes in Boston


As of May 2009, Tova and Carlos have no upcoming group classes. Carlos is focused on finishing his PhD thesis in Vertebrate Locomotion at Harvard University (hopefully he'll defend at the end of August), and Tova will be in Santa Fe until early August.

 

Find information about other Boston teachers' classes here: tango.havetodance.com




CLASS DESCRIPTIONS


BEGINNING

The Argentine tango is an improvised walking dance, so students will learn how to connect with a partner while walking, and to lead and follow weight changes, pivots, ochos, la cruzada, check steps and the turn. In order to facilitate rapid improvement, students will switch roles (learning both the leader and the follower roles) as well as partners, and will learn to dance in open and close embrace. (Why do you switch roles? See our FAQ page.) Pre-requisites: none


BEGINNING CLOSE EMBRACE

For the Beginning Close Embrace class at MIT, see the class descriptions and prerequisites on the MIT Tango Club site.


ADVANCED BEGINNING

For Advanced Beginning classes at MIT, see the class descriptions and prerequisites on the MIT Tango Club site.


ADVANCED BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE - BOLEOS AND SACADAS

Two of the most important tango elements, your mastery of boleos and sacadas helps to determine your dance level. In this class, you will learn techniques that allow these moves to be clean, sharp and comfortable, and will explore classic and new entrances and exits. Some previous experience with boleos and sacadas will help you get the most out of this class.


INTERMEDIATE

Topics vary. For this series:

We'll spend two weeks each on tango, vals, and milonga, exploring movements and ryhthmic possibilities that fit well with each of those genres. Staying within the tango-vals-milonga framework, the material will be a combination of musicality, steps, technique, and navigation, in both open and close embrace.

Pre-requisites: Instructor permission required. Students at this level should have been taking classes and dancing at milongas and practicas for anywhere from six months to six years. (A good minimum rule of thumb is 80 hours dancing tango, or 3-4 hours a week for six months.)


ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE

Topics vary. For this series:
Learn more challenging versions of elements such as ganchos, sacadas, barridas, and boleos, including interesting set-ups, executions, and/or exits in both open and close embrace. As always, musicality and floorcraft will also be addressed.

Pre-requisites: Instructor permission required. Students must already be comfortable with boleos, ganchos, sacadas and barridas, and must be able to dance well in both open and close embrace.


ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE: Off-axis Elements

In this class we explore off-axis "hanging" elements, also known as colgadas and single-axis turns. Some of these shared-axis movements only work in open embrace, but for others you'll learn close-embrace versions.

Pre-requisites: Mastery of all of the intermediate material as well as some previous experience with colgadas. Instructor permission required.


ADVANCED
Topics vary. For this series:

Explore off-axis "hanging" elements, also known as colgadas and single-axis turns. Some of these shared-axis movements only work in an open embrace, but for others you'll learn close-embrace versions.

Pre-requisites: Partners required, as well as some previous experience with colgadas. Instructor permission required.


ADVANCED INTENSIVE SERIES

Who: A small, dedicated group of strong intermediate/advanced tango dancers. Class size is limited so that Tova and Carlos can give individual attention to each student.

Requirements:
1. Instructor permission must be obtained (and is based on how serious you are about tango, as well as your skill level).
2. Students will register with a partner who they can work with for the duration of the series (we may rotate partners occasionally, but you will primarily work with the same person for the entire series).
3. Students must be able to commit to the whole series. In the event that a student cannot attend a class, please inform your partner and Tova as soon as possible (preferrably before the start of the series).
4. Homework will be given each class. Homework will often require students to practice on their own. Although you will not get a "grade" at the end of each series, your dancing will of course improve more rapidly if you do your homework. Subjects: Specific subjects will be determined by the needs of the students and will probably cover posture and elegant motion, some fancy footwork, and advanced patterns and techniques for improving your tango balance and comfort.


DRILLS AND EMBELLISHMENTS, A.K.A. SWEATIN' TO D'ARIENZO

Argentine tango leaders and followers will improve balance, strength, and agility through the exercises used in this class. Working solo and in pairs, students will practice rulos, enrosques, boleos, turns, decorated footwork on ochos and open steps, and rhythm drills for fast, precise feet.
Recommended for levels Intermediate and up.


LEADERS LAB
FOR MEN AND WOMEN LEADERS
INTERMEDIATE TO VERY ADVANCED

Leaders, come refine your dancing skills. We will work on general exercises for balance, control and coordination, as well as specific technique for elements such as ganchos, sacadas, barridas, boleos, and leaders adornments. Through practicing with other leaders you will improve your understanding of how to lead comfortably and clearly while becoming more balanced and better at listening to your partner. "What, no followers?" Yes, the best dancers in the world know both roles.

Each Lab consists of:
- 15 minutes self-led practice
- 15 minutes warm-up and exercises
- 45 minutes technical and mechanical analysis of tango elements
- 45 minutes Q & A and supervised practice



Fall 2008

At MIT

Intermediate
Advanced Intermediate

Summer 2008

At Harvard University

Advanced Beginning
Intermediate

Spring 2008

At MIT

Beginning
Intermediate

Winter 2008

At MIT

Beginning
Intermediate

Fall 2007

At Brandeis University

Beginning
Intermediate

Summer 2007

At Harvard University

Beginning
Intermediate Musicality

Spring 2007

At MIT

Intermediate
Advanced Intermediate

Winter 2007

At MIT

Intermediate
Advanced

Autumn 2006

At Brandeis University

Intermediate

At MIT

Advanced

Summer 2006

At Harvard University

Beginning
Advanced Beginning

In Cambridge, MA

Drills & Embellishments

At MIT

Advanced Intensive

Winter/Spring 2006

At Harvard University

Beginning

At Olin College

Advanced Beginning

Fall 2005

At Brandeis University

Beginning

At MIT

Advanced Intermediate

At Olin College

Beginning

Summer 2005

At MIT

Leaders Lab

In Cambridge, MA

Advanced Beginning

Spring 2005

At Harvard University

Beginning

At MIT

Advanced Intermediate

Winter 2005

At Harvard University

Intermediate

In Boston, MA

Beginning

Fall 2004

At MIT

Advanced Intermediate

At Harvard University

Beginning

In Boston, MA

Beginning

Summer 2004

In Cambridge, MA

Advanced Beginning

In Jamaica Plain, MA

Intermediate

Spring 2004

At Harvard University

Beginning

In Jamaica Plain, MA

Beginning
Advanced Beginning

Winter 2004

In Jamaica Plain, MA

Beginning

Fall 2002-
Summer 2003

In Baltimore,MD

Beginning
Intermediate