Private lessons – student pays any studio fee
Karen $100/hr -3 hours $250
Couples, individuals, small group privates and group classes- or DJing
to schedule- kjtangogypsy@gmail.com
call or text- 828-215-1177
Who are we and why study with us?
Karen Jaffe lives near Asheville, NC. Dancing since 1997, from 2003 she has supported dancers through offering weekly classes, social dances and has organized dozens of events. She continues to travel extensively to dance, teach and support her own education with world class instructors. She has had the privilege to partner with many great dancers and has performed in a wide array of stages; from the street to grand theaters with the symphony! Her reputation in both the SE region and wider Argentine Tango community is that of a skilled and engaging partner and teacher with well refined technique and musicality in both roles.
www.tangogypsies.com
(When in the states)Tate Di Chiazza is an international artist visiting from Buenos Aires.
Since his teens he has studied with masters, worked teaching and performing Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires, including long running classes at the most popular tango club “La Viruta”. Tate has and continues to travel extensively, around the world with Tango, both as an instructor and performer. Most notably, he toured with the famous show “Tanguera” from 2002-2009. He also plays the very challenging instrument unique to Argentina Tango- the bandoneon. www.tatetango.com
Together they have over 50 years of experience dancing, teaching and performing Argentine Tango!
Tangogypsies teaching philosophy is based on the idea of the dancers being independent, yet connected and co-creative. We support active following, freeing the follower to interpret the music through their body, at times independent from leader. We prioritize comfort, connection and clarity. Within a solid base of structure, technique and timing, the energy flows freely through the couple. This philosophy is further supported by the concept of tension and release, allowing the dance to come from a very quiet place yet explode at moments, always returning to an attentive, subtle baseline.
This is a more modern, complex and evolving style, but has its roots in a deeply traditional form. Leaders and followers have distinct roles; yet share many aspects of fundamental technique. They collaborate and negotiate, moment to moment, reading each other, redirecting the flow of energy between them, understanding the perfectly imperfect nature of the dance.
As far as a teaching style- Let’s call it relaxed and fun, heavy on technique and exploratory based. Using a movement or sequence as a framework for the technique or concept, our focus is the natural flow of the energy from lead to follow, relative position and timing for any given movement. ….all with a healthy dose of playfulness!
Once the mechanics of a given movement are grasped, we focus on “how” the movement is executed, the quality of the connection and communication, refining the clarity and how we feel the movement. In the end this is a social dance, and we want to experience a good feeling with our partner, no matter what movement we are creating together.
It’s not WHAT you do, but HOW you do it!
Tangogypsies workshops are designed to start at a fundamental level and progress based on the level and ability of the group, by the end to engage and challenge the most experienced dancers!
Tangogypsies Podcast interview– Listen here: http://bit.ly/2tUzEYk
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