I am new to the forum and interested in your recommendations for studios in Manhattan which excel in group lessons. I am just entering the intermediate level, but am particularly interested in working on improving technique, posture, etc. rather than rushing to learn more advanced steps. Do any of the more advanced NYC dancers have recommendations for studios/teachers who helped them put it all together? Thank you.
NYC Studios
- Thread starter New in NY
- Start date
borisvian13
Member
Hi, New in NY,
I'd recommend Valeria Solomonoff's intermediate class at "Dance Manhattan".
I'd recommend Valeria Solomonoff's intermediate class at "Dance Manhattan".
tangobro
Active Member
I'm not an advanced dancer but I was looking for the same elements and found Anton Gazenbeek & Sergio Segura's classes @ the School of Traditional Argentine Tango. They stress those aspects of technique, posture,floorcraft & musicality needed for social dance. Steps are taught as a means to put the elements of technique, posture, etc. into practice, with an emphasis for the leader on how to correctly lead the step, and for the follower on how to be an active participant. Technique does not incorporate the elements of ballet or other stage dances that some teachers who have been trained in those forms incorporate into their dance and their teaching. Anton also teaches a separate class for performance style dance, but the social dance class does not use stage elements.
Alicia Cruzado also has a class with a similiar orientation. She seems a little less demanding about posture, but provides wonderfully workable step combinations that fit within the structure of the music and follow the line of dance. (talking about her paid classes, not the free ones that she does at the Argentine Consulate). She also has separate men's/women's
technique classes.
There are lot's of free intro classes going on now because of Tango week
http://www.celebratetango.com/festival/program.html
hope you find what you are looking for.
Thank you both for your suggestions. I am going to look into both studios. For a while I had been experiencing the wonderful feeling of progress in my lessons and practice, but suddenly find myself confused and frustrated with the embrace(s), the weight sharing (or lack of, depending on who I listen to), distance between the dancers (static during the dance or not - again, I've been told both). I've seen followers dancing at a very sharp angle forward, and then the other day I rewatched the Argentine movie "Tango" and noticed all the dancers seemed to be entirely vertical, with a fair amount of space in between and the follower's left hand usually holding her partner's upper arm, not on his back. So I realize there is not one truly "right" way, but am trying to figure out how to be more comfortable myself while dancing and how best to adjust to different leaders.
Ampster
Active Member
This is dancing in milonguero (style) a.k.a. "Close embrace." It's danced predominantly in a social setting and is the most intimate of the AT styles, IMHO
This is the posture adapted when dancing in large figures, for show, or for nuevo (style) AT. If you dance big, you can't dance in close embrace. So, you have to dance in "Open embrace" in order to do flashy stuff, as in choreography for show/movie.
Don't be confused as these are distinct styles of AT. Each with it's own purpose and method. All are AT... Very different from ballroom tango. Be patient. There will be a lot to learn. But its so worth the journey.
Hello, New In NY, welcome to DF AT.
There are a couple of stills from the film, if it's the one I think you mean, at this url (and a video that won't run for me).
Seems the link is no longer working
Google this to see other images.
"Juan Carlos Copes Carlos Nebbia"
The film is about making a film, and it is clear that the dancers are doing rehearsed dances.
While there doesn't seem to be any "close embrace apilado/milonguero" in the film, there is a scene from the late 1890s/early 1900s that show early styles of tango. (This was quite confusing to me before I understood how tango has changed during the years, and still has different styles.)
I've watched the one scene where Copes dances with his "niece", the red head over and over again I super slow motion, and see no evidence of lead and follow. Leading and following skills are what you would need to dance "social" AT.
As covered in a recent thread, and as mentioned by Ampster, most people are now taught that your weight should be towards your partner, to a greater or lesser degree.
There are a couple of stills from the film, if it's the one I think you mean, at this url (and a video that won't run for me).
Seems the link is no longer working
Google this to see other images.
"Juan Carlos Copes Carlos Nebbia"
The film is about making a film, and it is clear that the dancers are doing rehearsed dances.
While there doesn't seem to be any "close embrace apilado/milonguero" in the film, there is a scene from the late 1890s/early 1900s that show early styles of tango. (This was quite confusing to me before I understood how tango has changed during the years, and still has different styles.)
I've watched the one scene where Copes dances with his "niece", the red head over and over again I super slow motion, and see no evidence of lead and follow. Leading and following skills are what you would need to dance "social" AT.
As covered in a recent thread, and as mentioned by Ampster, most people are now taught that your weight should be towards your partner, to a greater or lesser degree.
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Congratulations. You are already miles ahead of many tango dancers who insist there is only one correct way to tango.
It will take time, but I suggest that as a follower, you become at least somewhat proficient in as many styles as you can (or at least the major ones you see being danced where you go). That way, you will spend more time dancing and less time sitting.
Leaders can pick their favorite style and stick to it. But in my experience, unless you are MASTER of following a specific style (and therefore very sought out for that) you will need to be able to follow many different types of leaders to get many dances. You will also become a better follower by following many different leaders, and not just dancing with people you know from a class.
You don't want the word about you to be "Oh, she only dances x". If you are going to only dance x, then they better be saying "She is an incredible partner at x". (And really, anyone who is a master at one style probably has some level of capability in others, and follows so well that she can follow anything)
Yes, its confusing, all these different styles. And its made worse by rigid thinkers who insist their way is the only correct way. Sifting out what is merely preference from what is truly wrong isn't easy. But its worth the effort in the long run (not that I know about the 'long run' yet. I'm still learning too)
Thank you! You have all helped me to feel much less discouraged. Yes, Steve, that is the movie I was referring to. And the scene that I too watched repeatedly - while I knew it would have been choreographed for the movie, I guess I assumed they would make an effort to make it look improvised. Two more questions, if I may: Can I assume that once I have more tango experience and am asked to dance by someone for the first time, I will be able to tell from how he initiates the embrace how I should complete the embrace (close or open)? And in close or open, should the embrace remain static or are there times when a follower's left arm should move to allow more room for certain figures? Or perhaps if you are dancing close embrace but weight well forward, there actually is already enough space between the feet? Uh-oh, confusing myself again ...
Some of us are taught that the woman has the privelege to determine if she wants her body right up against the man. For us, the woman sets the distance.
But, this is not universally followed.
It's pretty easy - from my perspective - for the woman to close the embrace.
Likewise, if "close embrace" isn't working, it's possible for the man to increase the distance.
Some people will vary the embrace. Others don't.
As the amount of weight you put into your partner increases, it usually involves the "base of the triangle" lengthening.
So, yes, there is room between your feet, more than if remaining vertical.
It's one thing to know this stuff in your head. Getting it into your body takes a while.
Ampster
Active Member
New in NY,
I forgot to mention. Be patient. AT is a very complex, yet beautifully simple dance that takes time to learn and be good at. It's not just a matter of memorization. Its a commitment to learning. Take your time and improve progressively. Don't make the mistake that so may people do of trying to learn too much too fast.
* * * * * * * *
As for instructors, the only instructor from New York that I know, seen teach both group, and private class well is Robin Thomas. I've seen him perform and dance socially. He appears to have a good balance of social technique... even when he's performing. I've been to several of his classes in the past, and he demonstrates good foundational skills that I use to this day.
I forgot to mention. Be patient. AT is a very complex, yet beautifully simple dance that takes time to learn and be good at. It's not just a matter of memorization. Its a commitment to learning. Take your time and improve progressively. Don't make the mistake that so may people do of trying to learn too much too fast.
* * * * * * * *
As for instructors, the only instructor from New York that I know, seen teach both group, and private class well is Robin Thomas. I've seen him perform and dance socially. He appears to have a good balance of social technique... even when he's performing. I've been to several of his classes in the past, and he demonstrates good foundational skills that I use to this day.
It's widely acknowledged that the 'easy' things are the most difficult to do well, like walking
