Suggestions for Milonguero/Salon teachers in NYC/NJ area?

G

gregolam

Member
I am still going to go to my current teacher, however in light of alot of the discussions I have been having here I think it might behoove me to at least to try a private lesson or two on my own with other teachers whose styles may be more in line with what I am looking for. At the very least I will have a better base for comparison.

I know my teachers right now are very good as I have seen them perform, however they have a rather nuevo oriented style, and the one that I am taking lessons with I know is very a athletic and dynamic dancer.

I want to see if perhaps it would help taking lessons with a teacher who is a little more old fashioned in their approach. I really admire and wish to emulate the slower moving dancers who may seem to use a more basic repertoire of moves, but who execute them elegantly and also seem to focus on connection rather than dynamic movements.

I think this is called milonguero/salon style or whatever you want to call it (I know everyone here has disagreements in the lingo). So does anyone know of any good teachers that are available in NJ/PA/NYC or somewhere around there who teach in this style?
 
Lilly_of_the_valley said:
O.M.G.
Are you learning to be a performer? If not, why that should be a criteria?

In that area, my teacher recommends Valeria Solomonoff.
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It is not at all a criteria for me, I actually put far more emphasis on other aspects of the dance. I was just doing my best to not sound ungracious, and rather said that they are talented, but that they may not be meeting my specific needs. I'm sure their style works for alot of people, as plenty want to learn the flashier things instead of a style which might look boring to most beginners.

Thanks again though, I'll see what other suggestions come up too and then I will look around.
 
Robin Thomas teaches groups at on Tues in Manhattan. He teaches at Princeton, Columbia, and Yale on other days. He is your best best for close embrace.
 
I'd recommend Valeria Solomonoff too. She is a teacher who definitely puts emphasis on the fundamentals. And she is an inspiring presence as well.
 
gregolam said:
I am still going to go to my current teacher, however in light of alot of the discussions I have been having here I think it might behoove me to at least to try a private lesson or two on my own with other teachers whose styles may be more in line with what I am looking for. At the very least I will have a better base for comparison.

I know my teachers right now are very good as I have seen them perform, however they have a rather nuevo oriented style, and the one that I am taking lessons with I know is very a athletic and dynamic dancer.

I want to see if perhaps it would help taking lessons with a teacher who is a little more old fashioned in their approach. I really admire and wish to emulate the slower moving dancers who may seem to use a more basic repertoire of moves, but who execute them elegantly and also seem to focus on connection rather than dynamic movements.

I think this is called milonguero/salon style or whatever you want to call it (I know everyone here has disagreements in the lingo). So does anyone know of any good teachers that are available in NJ/PA/NYC or somewhere around there who teach in this style?
Click to expand...
Obviously I haven't seen you dance, but FWIW, most of what you have posted about your dance has sounded pretty good to me. So IMO, whoever you have been studying from hasn't been that bad for you. You seem to understand the concepts, as well as where you feel you should improve (and it's all quite logical).

That being said, there is nothing wrong with trying some other teachers. I'm a big fan of Diego and Carolina, and in fact, my wife and I are trying to plan some time this spring or summer, when we can go down there for a weekend to study with them.

Whoever you pick (whether it's your current teacher or new ones), explain what your issues and concerns are, and see if they can address them. If not, then find someone else. There are a lot to pick from in NYC.

http://www.newyorktango.com/tangoschools.html
 
dchester said:
Obviously I haven't seen you dance, but FWIW, most of what you have posted about your dance has sounded pretty good to me. So IMO, whoever you have been studying from hasn't been that bad for you. You seem to understand the concepts, as well as where you feel you should improve (and it's all quite logical).

That being said, there is nothing wrong with trying some other teachers. I'm a big fan of Diego and Carolina, and in fact, my wife and I are trying to plan some time this spring or summer, when we can go down there for a weekend to study with them.

Whoever you pick (whether it's your current teacher or new ones), explain what your issues and concerns are, and see if they can address them. If not, then find someone else. There are a lot to pick from in NYC.

http://www.newyorktango.com/tangoschools.html
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I actually have brought this up to my currect teacher, in both email and during a private lesson. However she tends to give a strange answer that somewhat skirts around the issue and I don't seem to get anywhere, it's a confusing answer that seems evasive to me and I am not entirely comfortable with it. It is a high volume school, and they have a veritable wealth of students, so maybe she is just not used to going as deep into the theory and fundamentals as I want. If for a beginner I seem to have a good grasp on the concepts and theories, it's because I am obsessively driven in my pursuit to research and understand them on my own time. I don't really get to go into it with my teacher though.

I'm still staying with her anyway because she is very conveniently located right next to my partner so its the only way to make the most of our time, however I would like to try to advance on my own as well. I think I will try a private with a few of the mentioned teachers here and see which one responds most directly to what I am asking for.

Thanks again everyone.
 
I've heard good things about the people others have recommended to you, but I have no personal experience of them. However, I do have personal experience of Rebecca Shulman and recommend her. Make sure you tell her though that you are interested in a traditional milonguero social style, because she does nuevo'ey/open stuff now too.
 
Here's a second for Robin Thomas. When I was taking lessons he and Jennifer Bratt (they were a team back then) were always on my (very) short list of people I would take lessons from at the Portland tango festivals.
 
Robin Thomas asked me to join his class to balance it off once.

IMHO, he knows his stuff. I especially liked his balance between teaching moves vs. mechanics, with an emphasis on basic technique.
 
I can also agree with what people are telling you about Robin. I've had classes with him and he does know his stuff and does (IMO) tend to try to strike a balance.
 
I have only ever had one group class taught by Robin, and it was right when I was starting, so what did I know? That said, looking back on it I can tell you that he definitely knew his stuff, the teaching of technique was solid and definitely emphasized (even in a group class), and he was good at explaining things.

I can also put in a vote (not shockingly, since I'm unabashedly biased) for Luis and Daniela. They are in NYC, although they also travel so they're not there year round.
 
Peaches said:
I can also put in a vote (not shockingly, since I'm unabashedly biased) for Luis and Daniela. They are in NYC, although they also travel so they're not there year round.
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I've had experience of Luis and Daniela that would be what the OP wanted (a focus on more simple elements done with elegance in a "milonguero" type style/embrace) and I've also had experience of them going much more nuevo. The latter seems to be more of what they have offered here lately, but that may be because of what's desired by the group?

Nothing against L&D, but from my experience, and what I've heard of people, the other people suggested would be more along the lines of what the OP seems to be looking for. JMO.
 
Zoopsia59 said:
I've had experience of Luis and Daniela that would be what the OP wanted (a focus on more simple elements done with elegance in a "milonguero" type style/embrace) and I've also had experience of them going much more nuevo. The latter seems to be more of what they have offered here lately, but that may be because of what's desired by the group?

Nothing against L&D, but from my experience, and what I've heard of people, the other people suggested would be more along the lines of what the OP seems to be looking for. JMO.
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Yup. They swing both ways. I'm just throwing out another option for teachers who I'd feel comfortable vouching for.

And, like I said, I freely admit to being biased.

:)
 
gregolam said:
I am still going to go to my current teacher, however in light of alot of the discussions I have been having here I think it might behoove me to at least to try a private lesson or two on my own with other teachers whose styles may be more in line with what I am looking for. At the very least I will have a better base for comparison.

I know my teachers right now are very good as I have seen them perform, however they have a rather nuevo oriented style, and the one that I am taking lessons with I know is very a athletic and dynamic dancer.

I want to see if perhaps it would help taking lessons with a teacher who is a little more old fashioned in their approach. I really admire and wish to emulate the slower moving dancers who may seem to use a more basic repertoire of moves, but who execute them elegantly and also seem to focus on connection rather than dynamic movements.

I think this is called milonguero/salon style or whatever you want to call it (I know everyone here has disagreements in the lingo). So does anyone know of any good teachers that are available in NJ/PA/NYC or somewhere around there who teach in this style?
Click to expand...

I agree with the previous posts about Robin, and would add that he's a very engaged teacher - he observes, corrects and helps immediately. (If you are a leader though I would mention a single, slight caveat).

I agree with Zoopsia's post about L&D.

Milonguero:
Monica Paz will be in NYC doing workshops and private classes soon. I found her extemely helpful for the aplilado style of dancing called "Milonguero".
TangoTuscany.com April May 2010

Maxi Gluzman
I missed him the last time he was here. but I've heard good things about his teaching. He will be here in May
TangoTuscany.com

Salon:
Oliver Kolker & Silvina Valz (when they are not travelling).

Salon style with a focus on technique;
Anton Gazenbeek & Sergio Segura (Full disclosure - I'm biased towards them since they were the 1st teachers who I felt taught me tango, after others had taught me steps. Caveat - they are biased against "Milonguero Style".

Ivan Terrazas & Sara Grdan. Their performances and their dance exhibit their youthful exuberance, athleticism & energy, but from what I've seen of their teaching - it focuses on technique to pprovide the basis for the style of your preference. Sara recently mentioned that although they have done "nuevo" they prefer the connectedness off "salon".
http://www.feraltango.com/
 
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