Argentine Tango with Tom Stermitz
I am a teacher of Argentine Tango who specializes in the social style of Tango. That means: "the way tango is danced in the dance halls of Buenos Aires." This style is easier than more performance-oriented styles.
I have 25 years of experience teaching Argentine Tango in Colorado. I have occasionally been invited to teach in other parts of the US or Europe. For 15 years I organized the Denver Tango Festivals, which brought hundreds of tango dancers to Denver twice a year.
My understanding of Tango was totally upended after my first trip to Buenos Aires. After a couple of years learning Argentine Tango, I thought I knew something. I discovered however, that although I knew tango steps, I couldn't navigate, didn't feel the music, and had no understanding of the essence of tango. At that point, I began the journey of trying to understand tango "The way it is danced in Argentina."
That understanding is what I present in my classes.
Here are a couple of videos of my dancing:
(Apologies for the recording quality. I don't have access to the originals.)
Structured Learning
Classes are designed to have you up and dancing social-style Argentine Tango as quickly as possible. I'm known as a teacher who makes tango easier to master by mixing and matching short sequences of steps rather than longer sequences. A progressive curriculum starts with fundamentals, emphasizing improvisation, rhythm, music, heart & soul, and always the connection between the leader and follower.
Our curriculum is a progressive series of skill building and vocabulary (steps) for navigating the dance floor and interpreting the music. Each musical element can be learned separately and integrated with previously mastered material. This gives you a logical set of dance moves that doesn't depend on memorizing all of them.
Over the years I've discovered more and more inspiration from the internal feeling, the connection with my partner, and the music of tango rather than than the "cool moves".
I offer private lessons, workshops and regular Wednesday classes in Denver.
The Romance of Argentine Tango
At its best Argentine Tango is a trance, danced so closely that you feel your partner's heart beat and share the rhythm of their breathing. Tango looks complex, but it's easier to accomplish if you learn the dance as a combination of short, simple patterns.
