New starters welcome. I have extended the session to 2 hours so that the first 1/2 hour can be devoted to the fundamentals each week.

4:30pm to 5:00pm
Fundamentals - new starters must arrive for this session and can stay on for the Beginners session. I encourage recent beginners to attend this session as well - no extra charge.

5:00pm to 6:30pm
Beginners - what I teach will be different each week.

At some point I intend to extend the session further & teach something for Improvers

AJ’s Classes in Argentine Tango for Beginners
London, Mile End

No need to bring a partner. We will rotate partners, however if a couple prefer to stay together that's ok.

£5 per person
I am also available for private lessons at very reasonable prices - please ask if interested.

WHERE

PURPLE DOOR - not black door
Chisenhale Dance Space
64-84 Chisenhale Road
London E3 5QZ

Tap water and toilet facilities are available.

SHOES

Specialist shoes are not required. The basic requirement is that the shoes should allow you to spin (twist) on the ball of your foot. Leather, suede or smooth plastic soles will be ideal. Avoid shoes that will grip the floor, such as rubber soles or trainers.

TIP - Duck Tape (Duct Tape) can temporarily convert unsuitable shoes. Just stick strips of it to the soles. Can be bought from DIY stores.

GETTING THERE

Nearest Underground Station is Mile End (Central, District and Hammersmith & City Line), Zone 2
Journey time from Central London (Holborn) to Mile End is only 12 minutes.

The studio is about 15 mins walk from Mile End. There are regular buses along Grove Road in that direction to St Barnabas Church, junction of Roman Road / Grove Road from where it is only a few minutes walk.

BUSES FROM MILE END (Stop G)
No 277 going to Highbury Corner
No 425 going to Kenninghall Road
No 339 going to Fish Island / Wick Lane

The Transport for London (TFL) website is very good to find the best travel option.

I will be travelling by car and can offer up to 4 people lifts. Pick up from & drop back to Mile End by prior arrangement. If anyone else is willing to offer lifts, please let me know.

Parking - there are restrictions until 5:30pm, however some spaces in adjoining roads have free parking for 2 hours, so effectively free after 3:30pm

ABOUT ME AND WHY I WANT TO TEACH TANGO

There are many teachers of Tango in London who are great dancers but poor teachers. In my opinion the basics are often not taught very well. I regularly meet people who have been learning with well known teachers for many months who still don't have a good grasp of the basics. I am hoping to help people in this respect so that more will feel the essence of tango and not give up with frustration. The plan is to get people as quickly as possible to dance socially - not just attend classes. In my experience, good dancers became good dancers by dancing regularly, not just attending classes.

I have been dancing Argentine Tango for over 4 years. Over that time I have studied with a great many teachers. The list includes: Eric Jeurrissen, Pablo Pugliese, Esther & Mingo Pugliese, Pablo Veron, Gato Valdez & Andrea Monti, Pastor Jurado, Homer & Christina Ladas, Adrian & Amanda Costa, Veronique Bouscasse, Pablo Nievas & Valeria Zunnino, Santiago y Sandra Monticelli, Joaquin Amenabar and some local teachers.

I am a regular at the London milongas (dance nights).

MY APPROACH

Learn the basics well - a good foundation will help you make quick progress later

Technique - without good technique your partners will not enjoy your dance!

Connection - the secret of social dancing most teachers don't teach!

Musicality - learn to dance to the music! - tango, milonga and vals

I believe there is a good analogy between learning tango and learning a language.

Language of speech -----> Language of Tango

simple sounds - phonemes -----> basic moves e.g. forward step, side step

words -----> concepts - self contained blocks of movements e.g. ocho, giro

meaningful sentences -----> improvised sequences to the music

HYGIENE

Please take care with person hygiene issues such as body odour & bad breath! Should be obvious to most, but needs to be said.

AJ
07984 023779