Tango Lessons
I no longer teach group classes. If you would like to take private lessons, please contact me at steve at andabien.com.
My Dance
The tango I do is based on the expressive execution of a few fundamental movements. The expression I am looking for is subtle and intimate, and I can only find it when I am sufficiently involved with fundamental movements. The more I pay attention to these movements the richer my dance experience becomes. Complexity and display do not contribute to it; instead, they interfere.
My Teaching
As a teacher, I know I can reveal the fundamental movements to my students in a short time. I see no reason why the movements can't be learned within six months for either leaders or followers.
Leaders must also have choreographic and navigational skills, which come from learning how to use the fundamental movements to achieve the desired result. I see no reason why this can't be learned adequately within a year.
Once I have revealed a basic movement to a student, that is, given him or her the experience of it, then it becomes the task of the student to incorporate that experience into his or her dance. Some additional coaching is often necessary at this point, but the student bares the responsibility to do the learning.
Being attentive is one of the most important dance skills of all, and also, the most enigmatic. Much of my effort is devoted to revealing increased focus of attention to my students. I know of no easy way to give students that experience, but their degree of attention, or lack thereof, is clearly visible when they dance. The words "pay more attention" say both nothing at all, and everything.
Learning
The development of some physical dance skills may be valuable, but is not necessary. Improved skills are only important if your dance is hindered by the lack of them. On the other hand, certain basic dance skills are indispensable.
Development of some mental concepts is required. While physical training takes some time, acquiring mental concepts requires nothing more than changing ones mind, which can be done in a moment. Students must be willing, even eager, to change their minds.
Argentine tango cannot be adequately defined. Any definition, no matter how artful, winds up being trivial. (Would you like to read about a dance?) While I use verbal descriptions, I also stipulate that they are insufficient. Students can use my definitions as a guide, but they must also go beyond any description to discover the real dance. If they are only doing my descriptions they are missing my point. You must realize the difference between the map and the road.