'Tango: It Takes Two' 5 Week Course

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Posted 2018-02-09 by Kirsty ⇒ follow

Wed 14 Feb 2018

Kristina Diaz, Australia's only Argentine-born female Tango teacher and dancer, is bringing beginner Argentine Tango classes to Box Hill North. This is a unique opportunity for couples in Melbourne's inner-east to embrace 'the dance of love' on St Valentine's Day. Argentine Tango is a Latin-dance style built on core partnership values such as trust, honour and respect. Mention 'Tango' and get ready for the 'oo-ahhs' and a raised eyebrow: Tango never fails to evoke images of provocative passion and soul-mate devotion. Be warned: Tango is highly addictive - once you start, you'll be hooked!

It Takes Two

Kristina's beginner course in Box Hill North is for couples only – because 'It Takes Two' to Tango. The course has been designed for partners, but it's not limited to binary couples. It just means that you have to enrol with someone. That way, ratios are equal and everyone's dance time is maximised.'

Dance with Kristina's 5-week course is hosted by Jamie Natural Health and Healing Centre, which has created an intimate 'Tango Lounge' for the occasion. "Jamie's home-style setting is ideally suited to couples and established partners," Kristina explains. The idea is to take Tango out of the dance studio and into the home, because it is so much more inclusive. The Jamie 'Tango Lounge' is also the eastern suburban venue for Jamie Natural's ' Tango Communication ' group courses and classes.

'It Takes Two' will attract up to 5 couples. Within a small-group class setting, couples get to know each other because run as a course, participation is consistent. Kristina says 'I run it like this because commitment is key. It encourages trust, and leads to rapid improvement. It really helps the group, too, because even though you want to dance with your partner are dancing for each other. Argentine culture is about invitation and sharing space'. Argentine Tango has strong community ties and social etiquette. As couples begin to get to know one another, friendships build. Small group classes such as 'It Takes Two' can almost become a small family- it's very Argentinean.

If you and you are unable to join this course, you can chat to Kristina about other specialised class options which she can arrange in the Whitehorse area. If you love the sound of Argentine Tango and you don't have a partner, Dance with Kristina offers group classes in Richmond and Brunswick East in which singles can join.

A Woman's Perspective and Superb Teacher

Tango specialist Kristina Diaz is a celebrated performer and choreographer, responsible for training some of Australia's best Tango dancers. With a Bachelor of Education and certificate in Holistic Kinesiology, Kristina is an outstanding teacher with a well-rounded perspective and creative skill-set. Kristina finds out how her students learn and structures lessons and classes with their optimum learning in mind. An arts-theatre background enables her to combine a structured syllabus and practical learning techniques with exercises to empower dance-freestyle and responsive-connection. Kristina challenges students hungry for more and yet offers calm to those who need reflection and repetition. During the class, Kristina always checks-in with each couple and gives each dancer equal time.

Kristina Diaz is a trained dancer with natural rhythm. She has Tango musicality embedded at the DNA-level. While she teaches Tango based on 'feel', Kristina notes and articulates every person's unique body mechanics, so that the dance begins to make sense to you, and becomes a part of you, too.

Buenos Aires meets Box Hill

The City of Whitehorse proudly declares her Asian heritage and traditions with colourful displays of culture and celebration that highlight the region's vibrancy, modernity and global connections. "This is what makes me so excited to bring Tango to Box Hill", exclaims Kristina Diaz. "What a gift it is for people from different backgrounds to be able to exchange culture and to learn from one another. Being part of a class that may be a cultural melting pot inspires me to look at things differently too."

You can also expect Kristina to throw in a bit of Spanish in her Box Hill classes. 'Some concepts are not always translatable. Knowing terms and a little bit of the language, helps you to better understand the music and connect with all the meaning that is in the rhythm of Tango', says Kristina with a knowing smile and hint of mischief. "Differences aside there are two things that unite people the world-over", Kristina muses. "Music – and love. Tango on St Valentine's Day- bring it on!"

'It Takes Two' beginner Argentine Tango classes run every Wednesday from the 14th February to the 14th March, for 1 hour and 15 minutes. The cost is $250 per couple which needs to be paid prior to course-commencement. After you have completed the beginner course and if you want to continue, usually the class progresses as a group, or you can request specific instruction in the lesser-known Argentine Tango styles such as the traditional, up-beat 'Milonguero- style', or the romantic Vals. After 'It Takes Two', you are invited to participate in Kristina's 'Milongas' or social-dance events that celebrate Tango culture in Melbourne.