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Instructors & DJs

We've got a great lineup of instructors and DJs on their way to Kansas City for the next Spring Fling Tango Thing.

Our 2012 instructors and DJ's include:

Adam Hoopengardner & Ciko Tanik - Instructors

Adam & Ciko are unique to the North American, and especially to New York, tango scene.

They have had the opportunity to study with teachers from all over the world, who come from very different ideologies, which has allowed and fostered their own approach and character of dance. Their dance has evolved by blending these outside influences they had with their own personal growth as a couple.

Their style is defined by its sensuality, musicality & creative playfulness.

They emphasize the importance of a good technique with a comfortable, musical walk over complicated moves. Their goal as teachers is to bring their students

Angel Montero - DJ

Angel started studying tango in early 2002, and soon he became addicted to the social aspect of the dance. He started organizing milongas in Atlanta and Djing even before he started his teaching career in 2006.

As a dancer, he has studied with some of he best social tango teachers touring the US, form milonguero legends like Cacho Dante, Ricardo Vidort and Ruben Harymbat, to some of the best teachers touring the US, like Robin Thomas, Tom

Daniela Pucci and Luis Bianchi - Instructors

Daniela and Luis met during her first trip to Buenos Aires. What was supposed to be Luis's last tanda for the night turned into two hours of dancing together. The magical connection they experienced that night led them to share their tango paths. Daniela left her career as an MIT engineering professor to join Luis as his tango partner. Luis left Buenos Aires to join her in New York City, where they currently reside.

Daniela and Luis' performances have been described as sensational, passionate, musical, and technically impeccable. Their dance is based on deep knowledge of the different styles of tango: milonguero, salon, nuevo and stage, which they blend with ease and fluidity to create very personal interpretations.

As instructors, they have quickly gained renown for their deep grasp on body mechanics as well as analytical, logical and detail-oriented teaching style. Their ultimate goal is to help students achieve better quality of movement, develop a comfortable, subtle and sensitive connection with the partner, increase their body awareness and find their own unique voice in the dance. Students in their classes can expect a wealth of information on tango technique, encouragement to push boundaries, lots of hands-on instruction and a healthy dose of humor to complement the mix.

Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Luis started dancing tango in 1994 and became a professional dancer in 1997. He taught and performed for several years in Buenos Aires, including performances with leading tango bands Bajofondo and Tanguetto, before tango took him to Brazil, Europe and North America. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Daniela quit her academic career as an MIT engineering professor to fully dedicate herself as a professional tango dancer. She started dancing tango in 1999 and brings lifelong training in classical piano to the partnership.

Daniela and Luis have a full travel schedule that keeps them on the road for most of each year to teach and perform regularly throughout the U.S., in Brazil, Canada, France, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Poland, Netherlands and Norway as well as in Buenos Aires, including several major festivals both in North America and in Europe. In 2010 they also coached World Champions and Olympic Silver Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White in their Argentine tango-based ice dance routine. In New York City, they are co-founders of "The Tango Zone Dance Company", which produces shows combining tango, theater, video and comedy.

Daniela & Luis' Web site

Viju Rao - DJ

Viju Rao has been dancing tango in Houston since 2008. He has traveled to numerous festivals across the country and frequently DJs at local milongas. Viju enjoys playing music that inspires emotion, dynamics and fun on the dance floor.