Tangueros, Tangueras, do you prefer male or female instructors?

[salsamale]

Tangueros, Tangueras, do you prefer male or female instructors? What have your been your experiences?

[Ampster]

Tangueros, Tangueras, do you prefer male or female instructors? What have your been your experiences?

Either.

It depends on their level of expertise. I'm picky with my instructors. I research them thoroughly first. I watch these "Instructors" on the social dance floor to evaluate/audition them. I interview their students (past & present), and watch them dance to see the products of the instructor's technique.

For workshop instructors, my favorites are people who are/and have been cast members of "Forever Tango." If they have not been cast members of Forever Tango, then I rersearch their performances first to see if their style and delivery is something I want to learn and add to my repertoire.

[spectator]

Women for technique.
Men for figures.

[bastet]

It doesn't matter to me as long as the person in question knows enough about both roles. There's some teachers who can do each very well, but so far those I have only met at workshops. Depending on where you are at, well, you may not have many choices...

I notice you look based in Canada. I believe Thomas Howlin lives up there but can't remember exactly where. I'd go watch some local classes first to see if you like someone's style.

[newbie]

I prefer a couple.
If there is only one then I prefer a male. He'll usually pick up some female student to demonstrate the steps. A woman teacher cannot really pick up a male student, he could not lead anything.

[Peaches]

Generally speaking, I much prefer male instructors. (True for ballroom and other, non-dance things.) I don't know why, but I just don't deal well with women.

I have found, however, that taking lessons with a couple can be particularly useful. There's a lot to be said for the two methods of evaluation (what the leader feels, and what someone else observes), as well as having two forms of input on how to fix it. I've found that sometimes the woman of the couple is able to provide a key piece of information that the man is not.

Still prefer men, though. Especially for close embrace AT. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I'll admit to not being completely comfortable with dancing close embrace with another woman.

[Tanguera]

For me it depends on the teacher: I like good teachers, I don't mind if it's a female instructor or a male one o if it's a couple.

I prefer a couple.
A woman teacher cannot really pick up a male student, he could not lead anything.
She can pick up a female student too. :)

[bastet]

I prefer a couple.
If there is only one then I prefer a male. He'll usually pick up some female student to demonstrate the steps. A woman teacher cannot really pick up a male student, he could not lead anything.

For workshops- this is my preference unless the teacher knows both parts well.

For in town group classes- this may be more problematic. Has anyone had any expereince with getting to take an ongoing group class and have a couple teaching? We were not that lucky to have a fully participating femal half so most of what I learn about the follow's role happens in workshops and private with visiting instructors.

[Twirly]

Classes: Couples definitely. I don't think I've ever had any group classes with just a woman, and I don't like it when it's a man and he uses the students to demonstrate. I want to see the woman's part done well by a pro.

Privates: Also couples if possible. If not women for technique and men for putting theory into practice.

[spectator]

Classes: Couples definitely. I don't think I've ever had any group classes with just a woman, and I don't like it when it's a man and he uses the students to demonstrate. I want to see the woman's part done well by a pro.

Privates: Also couples if possible. If not women for technique and men for putting theory into practice.

you could try bianca (rojo y negro) but be warned she's a bit nutty (very entertaining classes though...)

[Twirly]

you could try bianca (rojo y negro) but be warned she's a bit nutty (very entertaining classes though...)

Does she teach on her own? I thought she had other teachers to partner her.

[spectator]

well, she has her boyfriend... but he knows less tango than her students.
She used to teach with Octavian (apparently he is currently known as Captain Jack?!) but he is also a bit mad and there was apparently an incident at Bylaugh a few years ago that preceded a schism... he now has his own venue at Bar Andulucia near Warren Street.
hmmm hope this isn't libelous...

[Twirly]

Ah, didn't realise she was teaching with her bf. Maybe I'll go to one of her classes, I've heard both good and bad things...

[FTL]

Both for balanced perspective.

[Dave Bailey]

you could try bianca (rojo y negro) but be warned she's a bit nutty (very entertaining classes though...)
Heh, yes, she is indeed a bit nutty :)

I know many anecdotes about Bianca, as my dance partner currently attends her classes regularly, and they both have, ummm, entertaining conversations, usually about shoes / money. Unfortunately that's all I can say on an open forum :(

However, Bianca's a good teacher, especially for nuevo "show" style moves, and she has a great interactive style of teaching, in that she asks what people want to work on each week. It wasn't really for me, as the venue was a bit cramped, but it's worth attending her class at least once I think.