Monday Evening Classes

Tango Downtown offers group classes in The Essentials of Argentine Tango, technique classes for various experience levels, incorporating insights into the music, dance and etiquette of Milonguero Style social dancing at the Harwood Art Center in Albuquerque. We may also offer special-topic seminars to be announced.

When group classes aren't in session, we are available for private classes with individuals, couples, or small groups. Please scroll down for private class details.


Argentine Tango Group Classes

with Karen Reck & Paul Akmajian





2012 Classes

Classes emphasize the important elements of Argentine Tango as a social dance: embrace & connection to one's partner; navigation & connection to other dancers in the room; music, the connection that brings it all together. Dates may be subject to change.


2012 Monday evening Essentials classes begin January 9.

No class Monday, February 6.

$12 drop-in or $50 for 5 classes paid in advance.



Classes

Essentials

Mondays, 7:30-8:30pm, Essentials Class + Guided Practica, 8:30-9:00pm
These classes are open to All Levels, including new beginning students, as well as dancers from our previous sessions. Classes build on (as well as revisit) vocabulary from prior sessions. Classes may include more experienced dancers who enjoy exercises to improve their basic technique. Held at the Harwood Art Center.

Our classes are designed to give beginners a entry to Argentine Tango as a social dance, and to help committed students gain more confidence in their dance in order to better enjoy their experience at the milongas.

Classic Argentine Tango music is intrinsic to the dance. Beginners will receive some grounding in the essential elements of Argentine tango — connection to one's partner, the music, and other dancers sharing the floor. More advanced dancers will be invited to take a deeper look at expressing the depth and subtleties of the music in their dance.

$50/5-class session or $12/class.

Weekly drop-ins OK. We continue from, but also re-visit, material from our previous classes.

Please contact us prior to attending your first class to confirm the specific dates/times of our current or next session. It is not necessary to attend with a partner. First-time attendees, please arrive 10 minutes early to register.


CLASS LEVELS
If classes are described as "Essentials," "Essentials II" or "Intensive" the following definitions apply:

Essentials Classes
are for all experience levels, absolute beginners & up. These classes explore the essential elements of Argentine Tango as a social dance — connection with one's partner in the embrace, dancing to the music, navigating the dancefloor — via technique exercises and dance sequences useful for dancers of all experience levels. Students work on both essential technique and small, useful dance sequences for the social floor.

Essentials II Classes are for students who have previously attended All Levels Essentials sessions, or other Intermediate level students. (Advanced-Intermediate & up dancers who are interested in refining technique or learning opposite-gender roles are also welcome.) These classes focus on developing confidence on the dancefloor by enhancing vocabulary and natural musical movement.

Intensive Classes are for Advanced-Intermediate & up dancers, and assume significant prior experience in milonguero/apilado social dancing &/or strong Argentine Tango technique. We will explore diverse topics via class exercises to add depth and character to your dance.


PARTNERS
No partner is necessary, but as we connot guarantee gender/role-balance we encourage dancers to invite a friend/partner to attend.

2011 Class Schedule

Email us to request placement on our e-list
to receive information on specific session dates & other NM tango events.

2011 Classes continue through November 30.
No group classes in December.

Dates may be subject to change.


ATTIRE
Dress comfortably for you; class attire ranges from professional/casual dressy to jeans. Wear comfortable shoes that will stay on your feet (not sandals or clogs) with leather or other non-sticky soles. Thick soles are not advised, since we emphasize being aware of contact with the floor. Women: high heels are not necessary for class; strapped shoes with closed toes & a low or medium heel are fine.


PRICES
$12 per class or
5-class session card for $50, paid in advance. Sorry, no refunds.
You may share, transfer, & use these cards nonconsecutively.


Cards expire with the last group class of the year in which they are issued unless otherwise specified.


Private Classes

Private Classes with Karen Reck &/or Paul Akmajian
Milonguero Style essentials for men & women. Individuals, couples, or small groups.
Karen specializes in dancers with beginning to intermediate experience.
Paul (or Paul & Karen together) teach all levels, beginning through advanced.
Also, we both welcome advanced-intermediate
& up students (women or men) who are interested in learning their opposite gender-role.
$50/hour, with one of us; $60/hour with both.
Classes in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque/North Valley.
karen@tangodowntown.net or (505) 453-1786 (Paul's cell).