teacher recs in SF Bay Area

[noobster]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anybody had insight into which teachers/classes were good in the Bay Area. I am going to stick with group lessons to start but I will probably add or switch to privates soon.

I don't want to drive too far but there seem to be a lot of different teachers/classes available in my area, wonder if anyone's heard anything about these:

George Nicol (Palo Alto)
Becky Boosalis-Oler & Dale Sweezy (Palo Alto)
Igor Polk and Teressa (Palo Alto)
Natasha Ng (Colma)
David and Nancy Mendoza (San Mateo)
Nora Dinzelbacher and/or Michelle (Starlite Dance Studio, Sunnyvale)
Leslie Gordon (Palo Alto)
Romina and Marcelo (Steppin Out Studio, Sunnyvale)
Sue Lindenberg (Gilroy)
Gwen and Sheldon (SJ DanceSport, San Jose)
Elaine Kho (Belmont)

Thanks for any input!

[Ampster]

Since I have limited exposure, the only professionals I know who teach well, and whose dancing I find admirable (in SF) are Homer Ladas and his wife Christina.

http://organictangosf.info/index_SF.shtml

[Lilly_of_the_valley]

From the list, I strongly recommend Romina and Marcelo' s class at Stepping Out, Sunnyvale.
There are rotating guest teachers (local and visiting) at the milongas Elaine Kho hosts at Belmont and Palo Alto, most of them are very good.

[Keith]

Nora is my favorite instructor. I love going to her classes.

I would also recommend trying some of the other instructors as they all have different styles.

-keith

[noobster]

Hey, thanks for all the input everybody! That was really helpful.

Anyone care to elaborate on their reasons for preferring certain teachers, or what they thought of the particular strengths/weaknesses of the different instructors?

[Lilly_of_the_valley]

Hey, thanks for all the input everybody! That was really helpful.

Anyone care to elaborate on their reasons for preferring certain teachers, or what they thought of the particular strengths/weaknesses of the different instructors?

Noobster, are you a lead or a follow? Actually, the teachers recommendation would depend on what are your goals in tango, right now and in the long run.

I recommended Romina and Marcelo because in their classes they emphasize proper technique, good lead and follow habits, grace and musicality, rather than fancy moves and flashy patterns (of course, they do show very interesting moves, but the stress is always on nice execution based on the right technique). The class is small size, so they give each of their student individual attention.

Also my recommendation is based upon whose students are fine dancers, always pleasure to dance with and to watch vs whose students are...not. Sure, a teacher is only one part of the equation. The teacher won't learn in your place or dance for you at a milonga. But I noticed that certain people tend to gravitate to certain teachers... so it might be a good criterion -- see whose dancing you like, and ask who do they take lessons from.

That's said, I want to add, that I can second Keith on that Nora is an excellent teacher. Her classes in the city are great for any level. But unless you already have a pretty solid notion of how to lead/follow (and if you are a follow, you better bring a partner who can lead you into fairly advanced steps) in Argentine Tango, I cannot recommend her drop-in class at Starlite. Series, maybe. If you got a partner.

[noobster]

Thanks Lily.

I am a follow, and a rank beginner at AT.

I have about 1.5-2 yrs salsa experience and have been able to pick up swing and hustle pretty easily, but AT is a whole different animal.

I definitely need something more than drop-ins. As I said I am probably going to start taking privates in time, but I would like to get a few more groups under my belt and see if I like the teacher first.

Based on your input I think Romina/Marcelo sound like just what I'm looking for. I'll check them out tomorrow. :) Thanks!

[maleva]

Ney Melo just moved to SF from NYC as well:
www. neymelo. com

He gives a beginner level group class on Tuesdays and often teaches pre-milonga classes at various loctions.