Tango Classes at the
Phillips Recreation Center
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Newcomers to Tango: Please consult the Beginner Corner.
Tango Classes at the |
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Meet in the Middle Tango Festival Mt Vernon, MO August 2005 |
San Diego Tango Festival January 2007 |
Sunderland Club Buenos Aires, Argentina November 2003 |
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| Courses, introductory lessons, pre-milonga lessons and workshops are offered at the Phillips Recreation Center, 505 W Stoughton, Urbana, IL, by resident Tango Society Instructors Ron Weigel and Susana Vazquez Weigel. Ron and Susana have danced tango since 1998, and have been teaching tango since 2001. They teach tango as it is danced today in the tango dance salons (milongas) of Buenos Aires, the birthplace of tango. They travel regularly to Buenos Aires to receive instruction and study the way Argentines interpret their dance in a social setting. Their goal in teaaching is to communicate a culturally authentic tango for social dancing. | |||
| "Tango is a beautiful dance, that focuses on the connection and communication between man and woman, and on the connection with and interpretation of the music. Unlike most other partner dances danced in the US, tango involves improvisation in using small sets of movements that can be combined in many ways to create unique sequences that fit the space available on the dance floor, rather than executing complex memorized figures. Teaching tango in this way allows greater freedom of choice, which makes it easier to learn. In all of our classes, from beginner to advanced, we emphasize partner connection, leading and following technique, interpretation of the music, improvisation, and the acquisition of navigational skills for the social dance floor. Our classes provide lots of practice to different kinds of classic tango music in order to improve these important dancing skills. This instruction prepares students for dancing tango at the milongas (tango social dances)." |
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Courses consisting of a series of weekly classes are offered by Ron and Susana at the Phillips Recreation Center, 505 W Stoughton, Urbana. Course sessions coincide with the University of Illinois academic calendar.
There are two Foundations of Tango courses (A & B). Each course has a somewhat different syllabus. Students may start their study of tango with either course. They are offered in sequence (ABAB...) throughout the year, except that they may occasionally be interspersed with Foundations of Milonga, that may be taken after either Foundations of Tango A or B. Completion of Foundations of Tango A & B prepares one for the Intermediate Tango courses. Each offering of Intermediate Tango and Advanced Tango has a different sylabus. Listed here are the skills taught at each course level. Sometimes courses cover several skill levels. Listed below are current and upcoming course offerings.
[3] Advanced Expansion of improvisation in crossed feet system, particularly with regard to navigational possibilities; Use of adornments, particularly in expression of musicality; Advanced turns including incorporation of sacadas; Continuous turns; Milonga traspie; Expansion of rhythmic interpretations of vals; Developing musicality for complex orchestras such as Pugliese. Current & Upcoming Courses
Introduction to Tango as a Social Dance
Pre-requisite: No partner or experience requiredThursday Aug 28 or Saturday Aug 28
7:30 - 9 PM
Cost: $10 / $15 couples
Tango Fundamentals Review Express
Pre-requisite: Foundations of Tango A & BWednesdays 8:15-10 PM
Aug 25 - Sept 8, 2010 (3 weeks)
Cost: $30 / $24 if registered by Aug 11
Foundations of Tango [A]
Pre-requisite: No partner or experience requiredThursdays 8-9:30 PM
Sept 2 - Oct 7, 2010 (6 weeks)
Cost: $50 / $40 if registered by August 19Intermediate Tango
Topic: "Variations in the Ocho Cortado
and Forward Ochos"
Pre-requisite: Foundations of Tango A & B
+ Tango Fundamentals Review ExpressWednesdays 8:30-10 PM
Sept 15 - Oct 13, 2010 (5 weeks)
Cost: $45 / $36 if registered by Sept 1Foundations of Tango [B]
Pre-requisite: No partner or experience requiredThursdays 8-9:30 PM
Oct 14 - Nov 18, 2010 (6 weeks)
Cost: $50 / $40 if registered by September 30
Intermediate Tango
Topic TBA
Pre-requisite: Foundations of Tango A & BWednesdays 8:30-10 PM
Oct 20 - Nov 17, 2010 (5 weeks)
Cost: $45 / $36 if registered by Oct 6Pre-Milonga Lessons
Prior to most milongas, there will be a tango lesson given by either Ron and Susana or by guest instructors. These pre-milonga lessons are self-contained units of instruction. The level of instruction in pre-milonga lessons varies, although many are directed at students at the novice (no prior tango experience) or beginner level. At least one 'Introduction to Tango' pre-milonga lesson is given each University of Illinois semester.
Upcoming pre-milonga lessons are listed on our Home Page.
Private lessons are a valuable way to receive individual attention to solve specific problems or advance in topics not covered in courses or workshops. Private lessons are available with our resident instructors Ron and Susana and with visiting instructors. For further information on private lessons, contact us by e-mail or by phone (217-328-1311).
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