THE TANGO SOCIETY OF BOSTON
LEARNING FROM THE MASTERS
THE LEGENDARY CARLOS COPELLO
Carlos Copello is the most prestigious, representative, and authentic dancer and choreographer; the only one who knows how to decipher in each step, the deep mystery of Argentine Tango. Carlos Copello consolidates the most original style of Argentine tango and synthesizes with elegance and subtlety the techniques of the authentic milonguero. He has more than 30 years of experience.
Carlos Copello learned the tango dance with famous milongueros from the golden age of tango, such as Miguel Balmaceda and Nelly, Antonio Todaro, Gerardo Portalea, and Pepito Avellaneda, together with his guide and Grand Master Nelson Avila, an Argentine popular art star.
He is known worldwide since he was part of the cast of the show “Tango Argentino” (Argentine Tango) directed by Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli that revolutionized the world at the end of the 1980s
He was also a member of the cast of Forever Tango, where he toured in the USA throughout California in 1990. Then, in 1994 he continued with more tours in the USA, starting in San Francisco and ending in Broadway.
He has toured the world with many shows in which he was a dancer and choreographer. He has had the opportunity to dance to the music of the most legendary Tango Orchestras such Sexteto Mayor, Sexteto Tango. Some of the shows are: Tango Pasion. Tango X2, Tango 89.
After the worldwide success achieved by Tango Argentino (Argentine Tango) with the premieres in Paris (1983) and Broadway (1985), Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli summoned Carlos Copello with his dance partner, Alicia Monti, to join the cast that toured the world until 1992, including the important presentations in London (1991) and Buenos Aires (1992). In this way, Carlos Copello fulfilled his dream of integrating the cast of Argentine popular art, in which he received great critics from the NY Times and other renowned newspapers in the world. In 1999/2000 they returned to join the cast of Tango Argentino on Broadway, which was nominated for the Tony Awards in the category of Best Revival of a Musical.
He has also acted in many films and documentaries. In 1998, he filmed in LA -with the direction of Adam Boucher and the production of Jungle Film- a Tango documentary named “The Obsession”, and 4 teaching videos of Argentine Tango: 1. "The Embrace", 2. "The Hard", 3. "The Soul", 4. "The Seduction ". Later on, the city of Buenos Aires legislature declares this material of cultural interest.
In 1997, he acted in Sally Potter's film La lección de tango (The Tango Lesson), which was nominated for “outstanding achievement in motion picture”
In Wong Kar-Wai's multi-award winning movie “Happy Together”. He worked in the film “Assassination Tango” directed by Robert Duvall. He also participated in the film "Tita", a film about the life of the great star Tita Merello. He starred in the film Fermin, Glorias del Tango (Fermin, Tango Glories), directed by Oliver Kolker and Tango Fatal (Fatal Tango) in 2006, directed by Maxi Copello.
In 2015, the company El Clan Copello (The Copello Clan) was created, directed by Maxi Copello, integrated by Carlos Copello, Maxi Copello, Raquel Makow, Cristian Correa, and Miriam Copello.
Currently, he is the star and leading dancer of the Rojo Tango (Red Tango) show at the Faena Hotel in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
GUILLERMINA QUIROGA AND MARIANO LOGIUDICE
Guillermina Quiroga is considered one of the best female tango dancers in the world. She has influenced the role of the woman in the tango in a way that very few women have done so.
Her career as a tango dancer, choreographer, teacher, artist of multiple talents it placed her on the more prominent places in the tango scene.
In her dancing career, she’s been a soloist with the Julio Iglesias World Tour; she has performed along the Luis Bacalov, Mariano Mores and Color Tango orchestras; and she’s taken part of critically acclaimed shows like Tango x 2, Tango Argentino and Forever Tango on Broadway. She’s been featured in many films: “Naked Tango”, “Marie Galant”, “Assassination Tango” and “Valentina’s Tango”. She has also produced her own show: Tango, Historias Breves. Ms. Quiroga, ‘a queen of tango since the last century’ is considered by The New York Times ‘the Fonteyn of tango’. The NY based newspaper says that ‘the spell of her style begins in her stance. She has a marvelously composed persona and memorably elegant posture’. The LA Times says that Guillermina ‘is famous for fusing traditional tango steps with hyper-flexible leg extensions and athletic lifts. An engaging stage presence and a formidable talent.
She also has developed her own method in Tango Technique and focus on teaching around the world, and has been Judge many times at Preliminars and Finals of the official World Tango competition in Bs As, Argentina.
Mariano Logiudice
Mariano Logiudice started to study Karate at the age of 7, and was doing it for many years; after reaching high standards (he won more than 70 competitions) and working seriously in this discipline he got the maximum prize becoming a World Champion in 1998 in Orlando, FL,USA . He graduated as a National Professor of physical education. After retiring from competitions he dedicated his life to the teaching in Physical education and Sports at high school, and became a judge in many important competitions around the world.
On the meantime he discovered Tango, and started to study very intensively this new passion. He learned from a very prominent teachers in the Tango world as Raul Bravo, Juan Pablo Barbutti, Guillermina Quiroga, Andres Cejas, Olga Besio, Demian Garcia, Julio Balmaceda, among others.
He has worked as a tango teacher in Tanzba, Buenos Aires , Escuela de Tango de Buenos Aires, Club Gricel and Salon Canning. For the last four years Mariano has been teaching and performing in Europe, Asia, and many cities in United States with Guillermina Qurioga.
He graduated from the University in Argentina as a Psychologist, with the Thesis “Tango y vejez”(Tango and elderly) which explores the psychological benefits of the tango dancing on the elder people. He received a lot of compliments and special mention from the university judges with his work, and was pleased to keep going further on that path.
This, inspires Mariano to investigate more and leads him into creating a new activity that is a mixing of tango dance and physical education; together with Guillermina they start a new discipline, the union of tango dance and psychology, as therapy for people with physical and emotional needs.
As Guillermina’s partner, Mariano has taught and performed at the Tango Festival in Napoli, Italy March 2016; International Tango Festival in Shanghai, China, July 2016; Tangofest NYC 2016, in New York, USA, June 2016; Boston Tango Festival June 2016 and 2017; ATUSA, San Francisco International Festival and Championship, USA, April 2017 ; Hudson Tango Festival, NY,USA, May 2017 and New Jersey Tango Festival, NJ,USA, May
GUILLERMO MERLO
Guillermo Merlo is a true legend in the world of Argentine tango. Renowned for his elegant style,unique interpretation, creative choreography and powerful command of the stage.
He has toured internationally for well over a decade now.
Guillermo Merlo and his dance partner were the recipients of the 1997 and 1998 TONY AWARD for Best Choreography for the show ‘Forever Tango’ on Broadway and the couple won first place in the WORLD Argentine Tango Championship in 1999.
Guillermo has performed in concert with several Symphony Orchestras (New Mexico, Long Beach, Costa Mesa, USA) and was commissioned the creation of a Tango Ballet for the Tulsa Ballet Dance Company.
He and his partner were the feature dancers on the PBS special ‘Tango Magic’ with Pablo Ziegler and the Orpheus Orchestra and had the honor of being the first non-Asians ever invited to perform at the Imperial Theater in Tokyo.
Guillermo served as a judge at The Tango Mundial, The World Competition for Argentine Tango in Montreal Canada.
He and his dance partner created Artango Dance School is the realization of over 20 years of experience in Argentine Tango. I’m a dancer, performer, choreographer, instructor and coach.
He says: "I dream to not only teach you the steps, but also to share what I continue to learn from this wonderful dance: compassion, respect, vulnerability and coexistence without competition"
EDUARDO SAUCEDO
EDUARDO SAUCEDO of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Master Teacher and Dancer of Argentine Tango in all its styles, Choreographer, DJ, MC, and Producer of Tango Shows, Internationally recognized for his love and passion of the dance,
Eduardo travels the world sharing his culture and knowledge of the dance, bringing his message of -Love, Passion, Joy, Life with Respect and Freedom for Peace in the World,.
The essence of Buenos Aires can be felt in his dancing and teaching. Eduardo considers Tango to be an admirable art form that expresses body, mind, spirit and soul.
His professionalism, clear communication and positive energy motivates and inspires everybody,
His teaching is creative and practical focusing on subtle details. He is an expert on details of the movement and body language. His teaching blends reason, logic, emotions and personality to create a pure and authentic tango embrac
Eduardo has complemented his training with studies in various dance disciplines as well as theater and acting, and is a continuing student of the Performing ArtsEduardo has performed in theaters, appeared on radio and television and taken part in various International Tango Festivals such as Portland Tangofest and Nora's Tango Week in San Francisco,As an invited teacher and performer Eduardo has participated for 11 years in CITA, the prestigious International Tango Festival held yearly in Buenos Aires,
In Buenos Aires Eduardo has taught and performed in the traditional and popular Milongas (Dance Clubs) such as Salon Canning and Almagro among others and in El Viejo Correo where he was also a co-host for several years.Eduardo taught in the majestic La Confiteria Ideal in Buenos Aires - "La Gran Dame de la Belle Epoque" for 10 years.Eduardo is the creator, director, co-choreographer and co-producer of the dinner show "Tango Cafe- Una Noche Ideal" presented with much success for three seasons in the historical La Confiteria Ideal,In 2002 Eduardo presented the Show - "Tango" in association with Por El Amor Del Tango on Saltspring Island, Canada, Eduardo choreographed and co-produced the Tango Show "Passion & Joy" in 2012 and "Tango-Fusion d'Amor" in 2013 in association with Tango by the River, Sacramento, Ca, In 2014 Eduardo was the MC and lead performer in the 1st Seattle Show Case- "Mi Camino" in association with Michelle Badion,Eduardo was invited to appear in the National Geographic Documentary Series - "Consequencias" 2010 and to participate in the European Documentary "My First Tango" released in 2014,2015 Argentine Tango USA Official Festival and Championship San Francisco, Ca, April 2-5, appointed official judge.
SILVANA BRIZUELA
Silvana Briuela-Weigel (dancer/performer) born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, began her studies in that city at the "Escuela Nacional de Danzas" and at the prestigious worldwide "Teatro Colón"; from where she obtained a postgraduate degree in Ballet and took part dancing in various Opera and Ballet productions, including Giselle, Carmen, The Nutcracker, Walpurgis Night -from Fausto-, Don Quixote, and Tannhäuser. Later on, she got admitted at the school of the "Teatro Municipal General San Martín", continuing her dance training and learning all the major Contemporary Dance Techniques, as well as Choreography Composition.While keeping that vast training and work simultaneously, she studied Tango with Mingo & Esther Pugliese, Eduardo Sotelo & Ivonne Laens, Rodolfo Dinzel, Julio Balmaceda, plus Natalia Games& Gabriel Angió.
She has been performing and teaching for more than 20 years at various noteworthy venues and Festivals in Buenos Aires and USA.
Nowadays, Silvana works organizing events, teaching and performing mostly in New York, New Jersey, and in Boston at Dance Union in Somerville,
In order to clarify Tango Principles, enhance and improve transmitting skills; she practices Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and the ancient Chinese art of Nei-Kung. Her teaching emphasizes on technique, partner connection and improvisation.
OSCAR CASAS
Oscar grew up in Buenos Aires, breathing tango. His father was a milonguero (a social tango dancer) who organized milongas (places where the tango is danced) in Parque Patricios, a tango barrio in Buenos Aires. Oscar is a well-known figure in the milongas of Buenos Aires, and his distinctive style is greatly admired by other milongueros. He is also extremely popular with young tangueros. He teaches with energy and humor, emphasizing concepts, specializing in improvisation, always interpreting the music and respecting the character of the different orchestras. He is especially interested in the dynamics and cadencia in dance
He has been teaching throughout the United States, Canada and regularly in Buenos Aires. He has also been invited to perform at international tango festials and workshops.
JOSE ROJAS
Jose Rojas is a professional dancer and instructor of traditional Argentinian folkloric dance.
Jose comes from Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina, where he ventured into dancing at the young age of six. Since then, Jose has participated in various renowned folkloric contests and festivals throughout Argentina, such as el Festival Nacional de Baradero in 2010, gaining recognition as best new dance couple; and becoming a finalist at el Festival Nacional de Cosquin in 2011 in the category for best dance ensemble. In 2014, Jose was invited to dance alongside the famed folkloric musician Jaime Torres during his performance in the city of Parana.
His passion for dancing motivated Jose to venture into other styles of dancing. He started ballet at the age of twenty-one at the Municipal Dance School of Parana and continued his practice at the Carla Tista Art Studio where he had the opportunity of taking dance lessons alongside world renowned dance instructors like Raquel Rossetti, Alejandro Totto and Inaki Urlezaga; and also learning jazz and contemporary style dancing.
Jose’s versatility in learning other dance forms, gave him the chance to participate in two important ballets co-produced between the Municipal Dance School of Parana and the famed Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires: Don Quijote in 2010 and Giselle in 2011, in which he shared the stage with first dancers from Teatro Colon like Silvina Perillo, Edgardo Trabalon, Nadia Muzyca and Gerardo Wyss, to name a few.
In 2015, Jose earned a full scholarship through an audition to attend the Contemporary Jazz Summer Intensive at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Such was his good performance that he was given a second full scholarship to return to Joffrey and complete the 2015-2016 school year.
In 2016, Jose was invited by the famed Argentinian folkloric musician Roberto Carabajal to dance during his performances during the artist’s United States tour. He has also been invited to dance for events at the Argentinian Consulate in New York City; and to represent Argentina at many Latin American events in the United States.
At the present time, Jose continues to evolve as a dancer by learning new styles. He joined the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company where he dances traditional Mexican folk dance. He also continues to work as a dancer and choreographer of Argentinian folk dance, ballet and contemporary styles.
Classic Title
MARIANA FRESNO
Mariana Fresno is a Buenos Aires native, where she established herself as an outstanding Argentine Tango performer, starting her professional dancing career at a very early age. Her talent and determination have taken her to perform internationally, appearing in numerous shows, festivals, and movies (including the 1996 musical Evita).
Mariana’s ability as a dancer has coupled with her passion to share the art and expression of Argentine Tango. She has worked as a choreographer in several plays; organizer and assistant instructor for many Tango Masters workshops; and is recognized as one of the best tango DJs in the New York area, frequently designing the musical layout for some of the most popular Milongas in NYC , LI and CT; and for nearly two decades has offered weekly group and private lessons, introducing and advancing the beauty of the dance alongside her students.
www.facebook.com/marianafresnotango