“This curriculum looks great, but I still don’t know what class to take”: A guide to Siempre Tango’s new curriculum

We’ve received a lot of questions from our returning students about the new curriculum, and rightly so.

But let us explain a couple of things:

We needed a clear road map for beginners to go from zero to milonga-ready in a few months. And by mandating that students learn to lead and follow from the beginning, we’re driving home the fact that tango is about teamwork and communication. (If you’re a beginner, jump here for your options.)

For our intermediate/advanced clients, we’re shifting the focus to what feels great for social dancing in close embrace. Class titles will not change (the content will), and they reflect what advanced dancers continue to work on for years:

• the details of leading and following
• efficient, tight turns
• dynamic and challenging moves
• ways for the dance reflect one’s individuality.

Our hope is that you be able to come into any 300 or 400-level course that works for your schedule, and you’ll learn something new and refine what you have.

We also want to give you convenient chances to refresh your fundamentals or learn the other role. Now’s the time to commit to a Tango 101 or 102 class for free when you sign up for intermediate/advanced classes.

For our returning students, here are some answers to “What class should I take?”

IF YOU TOOK TANGO 3+4 ON SUNDAYS AT 6:00 PM LAST YEAR, YOU SHOULD TAKE:

• “Tango 301: Deep Leading and Following” on Sundays at 5:30 PM. This class will boost your partner communication, and you’ll increase your enjoyment from improvisation.
• It’s recommended that you commit to Tango 101 at 6:30 PM for free! You will be learning the opposite role and refining your fundamentals.
• You could also take Tango 302 on Mondays if you want to progress faster.

IF YOU TOOK “RECHARGE YOUR TANGO” ON MONDAYS AT 6:30 PM LAST YEAR, YOU SHOULD TAKE:

• “Tango 302: Taking Turns” on Mondays at 6:30 PM. Even if you’ve taken a previous turns class, take this class. Turns always need work, and they are some of the most useful elements for navigation and adding excitement.
• It’s highly recommended that you add Tango 102 at 7:45 PM for free! Work on close embrace and refresh your dance.
• You could also take Tango 301 on Sundays.

IF YOU TOOK TANGO 1 ON MONDAYS AT 8:00 PM LAST FALL, YOU SHOULD TAKE:

• “Tango 102: Intro to Close Embrace.” You cover the embrace, ochos, navigation, and musicality for the first time. This class will also cover some new linear moves, depending on how the class progresses.
• It’s highly recommended that you take “Tango 201: The Well-Rounded Dancer” before the milonga – and then stay for the milonga  This class will help you make the jump from class to the milonga!

IF YOU TOOK CLASS ON TUESDAYS WITH FRANCIS AND BRIGITTE, YOU SHOULD TAKE:

• “Tango 201: The Well-Rounded Dancer.” We’ll be diving deep into the details and emphasizing sensitivity and moving with pleasure.
• “Tango 402: Classic Elements.” This will be the class where we explore more complex movements! This session will be about ganchos. Seriously!

IF YOU TOOK “ADVANCED CLASSICS” ON WEDNESDAYS AT 7 PM, YOU SHOULD TAKE:

• “Tango 402: Classic Elements” on Wednesdays at 7 PM. Ganchos are fun, especially if they are geared towards the line of dance.
• “Tango 302: Taking Turns” on Mondays at 6:30 PM. This will prepare you for more advanced classes about turns.
• Intermediate/Advanced dancers are welcome to sign up for any Tango 100 class for free. You’ll be learning the other role and working on your fundamentals.
• There are a surprising number of advanced dancers who aren’t coming to the milonga. “Tango 201: The Well-Rounded Dancer” before the milonga can help you!

IF YOU TOOK “MILONGA” ON WEDNESDAYS AT 8 PM, PLEASE:

• continue with “Tango 305: Milonga” on Wednesdays at 8:15 PM. We’ll be moving fast and having a lot of fun!

IF YOU TOOK CLASS ON THURSDAYS AT 6:30 PM, YOU SHOULD:

• continue with Tango 103 at 7:15 PM. As you’ll be integrated into the new curriculum, we’ll be working with everyone to get them caught up.
• Those who were in Tango 2 will take their first steps in close embrace and will work on greater fluency. You are highly encouraged to come early for Tango 101 at 6:15 PM, so you can learn the other role! For free!
• Those who were in Tango 1 will learn some new figures. Tango 103 represents a bit of a jump for you, so be prepared to practice and have fun challenges! You are also welcome to re-take Tango 101 for free, especially if you haven’t practiced over the break.

IF YOU TOOK MUSICALITY ON MONDAY NIGHTS OR MULTIPLE GUEST WORKSHOPS LAST YEAR:

• “Tango 202: Ignite Your Dance / Delight Your Partner” is for you. There were a lot of technique workshops last year, so we need a time to sift through what we’ve learned and see how it works practically for each person’s dance.
• We’re looking for a time to put Tango 202. It’s possible that we will do some weekend seminars once a month or put it on Wednesday night. Let us know what you’d like to do.

If you are a beginner, you have two options:

• Tango 101 on Sundays at 6:30 PM includes the Sunday Práctica. That means you can apply what you’ve learned right away and get some extra help from your teachers.
• Tango 101 on Thursdays at 7:15 PM: If you want to challenge yourself or if you’ve taken dance classes before, you can stay for Tango 103 after your Tango 101 class. The only thing is you must find a partner and stick with that partner throughout the course.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

If you’re ready to register, please do so here.