THE TANGO SOCIETY OF BOSTON
MUSICIANS AND DJs
DANCING TO LIVE MUSIC
MAURZIO NAJT TANGO TRIO
Friday Night
MAURIZIO NAJT (Piano)
Maurizio Najt graduated at Conservatorio Nacional de Musica de Buenos Aires.
Played an important role as a tango pianist in the New York tango revival during the 90's.
He has played in countless milongas and tango shows throughout the US playing along master bandoneonists such as Raul Jaurena, Tito Castro, Héctor del Curto and Victor Lavallén.
Composed and recorded the original music for the acclaimed off-Broadway musical theater show "Don Quixxxote", which was nominated for an ACE award, and the children's tango musical "A Tango for Tita", which recently won an ACE award for best direction.
Collaborated with Academy-Award winning film director Ang Lee, arranging and recording for the film "Lust Caution".
Currently he works as a Ballet Pianist at Astoria Fine Arts Center, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and Broadway Dance Center in NYC.
Toured Japan, Korea and Hawaii with Japanese tango diva Anna Saeki, recently performing at Blue Note in NYC. Performed with the Forever Tango Orchestra (Luis Bravo's Tony winning production) touring the US, Mexico, Japan and China, and most recently a ten week run on Broadway during the summer of '13 followed by a Boston and Maryland tour.
RODOLFO ZANETTI. (Bandoneon)
A native of Argentina, Rodolfo Zanetti is an acclaimed bandoneon player and a distinguished presence in the world of tango. Devoted to the genre from an early age, he has performed with leading ensembles and symphony orchestras at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall.
A Latin Grammy-winning artist, Rodolfo was featured on the album Vigor Tanguero and was also a soloist on Tango of the Americas, a Latin Grammy-nominated recording. He is the co-founder of Quintet Bandó and has led major artistic projects, including directing María de Buenos Aires under the Astor Piazzolla Foundation.
His career highlights include First Prize at the Che Bandoneón International Competition (2017), founding El Despunte Tango Club, and premiering his mono-opera Las Maldiciones in New York in 2026.
MELISA GOHAR (Violin)
An accomplished violinist born in Argentina to Armenian parents, Melisa Gohar Atoyan brings a powerful blend of classical mastery and tango expression to the stage. She is a founding member of the Arya String Quartet and has performed as a soloist with the Adelphi Symphony Orchestra, where she also served as co-concertmaster.
With extensive experience in opera and prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall, Melisa’s musical journey spans both tradition and innovation. Alongside her classical career, she has collaborated with renowned tango artists including Emilio Solla, Pedro Giraudo, and JP Jofre, bringing depth and authenticity to the tango world.
EMILIANO MESSIEZ TANGO QUARTET
Saturday Night Milonga
and
"Celebrando Tango Show"
EMILIANO MESSIEZ (Piano)
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and based in New York City, Emiliano Messiez is a Latin Grammy–nominated composer, pianist, and music director. One of the most in-demand tango pianists in the U.S., he is known for his versatility across tango, jazz, classical, rock, and Latin American rhythms. He has performed worldwide at prestigious venues, including Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Houston Grand Opera, Carnegie Hall Citywide, and many more.
A prolific composer, Messiez has written music for several musicals, including Bordello The Musical, which just performed in London and has already received recognition from the National Alliance of Musical Theater with the 2020 Writers in Residence Award, the 2021 Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Festival selection, and The Broadway Bound Theater Festival. He also composed The Guava Tree, Casa Alfonsa, The City Dog and the Prairie Dog, Coyote and the Counting Game—all commissioned by Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado—and Cousins The Musical. Additionally, he is the orchestrator of Ghost in the Machine by Janine Robledo.
Throughout his career, Messiez has received significant recognition, including a Latin Grammy Nomination, grants from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and the UNESCO Prize for Music. His composition De Vidrio has been performed in tango shows and festivals worldwide.
JAVIER SANCHEZ (Bandoneon)
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Javier Sánchez has been playing the bandoneón for almost 30 years. He has been a member of Latin Grammy Award nominee Rodolfo Mederos Orquesta Típica; toured the world with tango companies such as Tango Pasión, Tanguera, and Tango Emotion.
In 2016, he relocated to New York City and collaborated with Aces of Rhythm directed by Pablo Aslan , Pan American Symphony Orchestra, and the Astoria Tango Orchestra. He won First Prize at the renowned Che Bandoneon International Competition judged by bandoneón legend Victor Lavallén.
In 2018 Mr. Sanchez became Music Director of Che Tangazo Orchestra based in Montreal, Canada, making its debut at Tango BA Festival and World Cup.
PEDRO GUIRAUDO (Double Bass)
Bassist, composer and arranger, Pedro Giraudo’s biography includes two decades performing with the most important interpreters of tango. Among the many noteworthy events in his career, he won the 2018 Latin GRAMMY Award for Best Tango Album, “Vigor Tanguero,” with his Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet.
Pedro recorded bass on Ruben Blades’ CD “Tangos”, which won a Grammy and a Latin Grammy. He has also performed with Paquito D’Rivera, Pablo Ziegler, Hector Del Curto, and Luis Bravo’s “Forever Tango”.
Pedro Giraudo’s illustrious career spans over two decades of performing with the most revered figures in tango. As a bassist, composer, and arranger, he has collaborated with luminaries including Ruben Blades (on the GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning album Tangos), Paquito D’Rivera, Pablo Ziegler, Hector Del Curto, and Luis Bravo’s Forever Tango.
Additionally he has worked with one of NYC’s most prestigious institutions, the New York Philharmonic, and has performed on several occasions with the New York City Ballet Orchestra.
SAMI MERDNIAN (Violin)
Argentinian violinist Sami Merdinian has received worldwide recognition for his outstanding performances as a soloist and chamber musician. Sami has appeared with the Montevideo Philharmonic, the Argentinian National Symphony, The Charlemagne Orchestre, The Gagneung Philharmonic in South Korea, Buenos Aires Philharmonic, South Carolina Philharmonic, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Midland and Duluth Symphonies.
Sami is a member of award-winning string quintet Sybarite5, performing recently at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, Lincoln Center, and touring throughout United States, Canada, Asia and South America. Sybarite5’s album “Outliers” debuted at #1 in the Billboard Classical Music chart.
He has been a prize winner in several international competitions including a Gold Medal in the XII International Young Solo Instrumentalists Competition in Argentina, and the New Talent Competition in Slovakia. He has also received the Rising Star Award by Tiffany & Co., was named Outstanding Artist of the Year by the Argentinian Press, and has been featured on WQXR in New York, “Spiegenzall” live from the Concertgebouw, Argentinian Classical National Station, America’s NPR, South Korean’s KBS and the BBC.
Mr. Merdinian is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the New Docta Festival in Argentina. He has led masterclasses around the USA, South America and Asia and given lectures about music and entrepreneurship in universities such as Penn State, Curtis Institute, New England Conservatory and The New School. In addition, Mr. Merdinian is also the producer and co-host of Down the Pit Podcast.
DANCING TO THE MUSIC OF THE BEST DJs
FRIDAY
Theme: Water
Colors: Blue, Silver
Dress to Impress Milonga
9:00 pm
Guest DJ: Rohin Mahtre
at Dance Union Studio
SUNDAY
Theme: Air
Colors: White, Pastels
8:30pm
Closing Night Milonga
"Hasta el Año Proximo Tangueros"
Guest DJ: Ricardo Biggeri
at the Dante Alighieri Society
SATURDAY
Theme: Fire
Colors: Black, Gold, Red
8pm
Show w/Live Music by the Emiliano Messiez Tango Quartet
9:30pm
Guest DJ: Eduardo Saucedo
at the Dante Alighieri Society
