CARLOS BARRIONUEVO
Was born the 26th of May of 1982 in Santa Cruz Argentina.
He began to dance tango when he was 12 years old and developed his technique by studying the great masters of tango. He was invited to perform with Ricardo "Chiqui" Pereyra, Enrique Dumas, Raul Lavie, Maria Grana, Guillermo Fernandez and Mariano Mores. In April of 2005 he won the championship of the Patagonia Tango Festival in San Carlos Bariloche. Carlos has Performed in many different Tango shows such as, "Tango Emotion" "Tango Historias Breves", "Sabor a Tango", "Tango Odisea", and " Tangorama" among others. Traveling throughout Italy, Russia, Chile, Turkey, Israel, Uruguay,Canada, United States and Mexico. In September 2006 Carlos was assistant choreographer of the "Teatro Argentino de la Plata" for the show "Tangomanon" . In Buenos Aires January 2007 Carlos began performing with Mayte Valdes together in prestigious Tango houses such as "El Viejo Almacen", " El cafe Tortonni" and
" Chiquin Tango".
In December 2007 He formed part of the cast of " Forever Tango" performing at the Teatro Coliseo Podesta in La Plata Argentina for the release of the companies New DVD. He has also performed with Grammy award-winning pianist Pablo Ziegler. In 2008 he choreographed and performed for the "Teatro Zinzanni and Snoqualmie Casino. In September 2009 Joined the company "Tangueros del Sur" performing at the New York city center in NYC with the show "Romper el piso". ,2010 Vail international dance festival, 2011 Jacobs pillow dance festival and 2012 Israel dance festival.
Carlos is staring as one of the lead characters in "Niña Del Tango" a short film directed by Jason Eberly that will premier in 2013.
MAYTE VALDES
Mayte is highly trained in diverse dance techniques such as Classical ballet, modern jazz and tango.
She began dancing when she was 6 years old. At a very early age she performed with the company " Miami City ballet". "The Nutcracker" Touring throughout Florida USA. She continued her studies in Buenos Aires Argentina at the "Teatro Colon" and with various ballet masters.
Mayte was trained in Argentine Tango by the greatest tango masters in Buenos Aires.
She has performed in many tango shows " Chiquilin Tango", "Tango en el Maipo" "Tango historias breves" and "Tanguera", the musical" among others. In 2004 she toured with the company "Tango Pasion" throughout Spain, Sweden, Russia and Germany.
With the company Tango Buenos Aires she traveled the United States, and has also traveled Mexico, Egypt and Asia , Turkey and Israel sharing her talent and passion for tango.
In Buenos Aires January 2007 Mayte began performing with Carlos Barrionuevo in prestigious Tango houses such as "El Viejo Almacen", " El cafe Tortonni" and Chiquin.
In December 2007 They formed part of the cast of company "Forever Tango" performing at the “Teatro Coliseo Podesta” in La Plata Argentina for the release of the companies New DVD.
In 2008 they choreographed and performed for the "Teatro Zinzanni and Snoqualmie Casino. She has performed with Grammy award winning pianist Pablo Zigler.
In September 2009 She joined the company "Tangueros del Sur" Romper el Piso performing at the New York city center in NYC with the show, Vail international dance festival" "Jacobs Pillow dance festival" and Israel Dance festival. Mayte is staring as one of the lead characters in "Niña Del Tango" a short film directed by Jason Eberly that will premier in Los Angeles and New york in 2013.
JORGE TORRES
It all started when I was three years old.
Every time someone was dancing on TV, my mom noticed that I was repeating their movements, and well! It was clear to her that I needed to attend serious classes. She had recognized my precocious gift and quickly acted on it. How can I ever forget it?
My family lived in Merlo (about two hours west of Buenos Aires) but for sheer coincidence Mr. Noberto Guichenduc – one of the foremost artist in Argentina of that time -- had just decided to start teaching in our town. I have no idea of why he settled on Merlo, since he lived very far away. To these days, his fortuitous choice, that turned out to be the luck of my life, continues to puzzle me.
He taught me Argentine Folklore, ballet, tango, flamenco, or just about everything I know. I spent so much time with him, my teacher, mentor, best friend and second father. He was very tough. If I got my steps inexact, he would yell: wrong! But at my third mistake, I wouldn't hear him bark anymore, instead I would feel a wooden stick hit my legs!
Today he would get in a lot of trouble with his teaching methods but, back then, this is the way it was. In class he was tough, especially with me, but outside he was my best friend. We laughed a lot and had lots of fun. When I got home from dance school, I did not get to rest. My mom would say "Jorge, de nuevo, again!" and made me practice more and more. She watched every class and remembered all the steps… No escape for little Jorge.
I danced ballet professionally at the Colon Theater, in Buenos Aires, and then switched my focus to tango when Libertad Lamarque invited me to join her show. I've danced in many tango shows and travelled all over the world. While I was dancing in Forever Tango in NYC, I met my wife, Chino Hara. (Please check out how I met her in the article written by Patrizia Chen* for an Italian Magazine. It will make you smile).
And now I have a confession to make, my wife is great, but we have a tiny little problem: she loves shoes, especially tango shoes. Maybe too much? Maybe a kind of an addiction? (Yes, yes, I know that many of you are nodding and feeling her pain! But please…feel mine too, confined in the few square meters of our apartment, invaded by divine footwear) And that's why I suggested her to work with shoes, so that she can be around them all the time. Felina Shoes was created. And it was a huge success. See? Husbands can be right. (At times…)
I've danced with Forever Tango for about fifteen years, but my passion now is my family and teaching tango. Lately, I've been traveling mostly with my wife and our two babies around the world, teaching tango workshops. Traveling and being on the road all the time with a two year old and a new-born is pure madness, but I feel very lucky that I get to be with my family.
My dream is to have my own dance company. I feel that in general dancers are being treated unfairly. Once I'll start my company, all artists will be treated with respect. I want everyone's collaboration to create something really beautiful.
MARIA BLANCO
Maria had finished high school and was about to start university when she realized what she really wanted was not fashion design, it was dancing. As a child she studied ballet dance with a teacher who woke up her senses using music and scents to introduce her to the language of dancing. Maria has always been connected to art in its many different expressions. She has studied: mural painting, percussion, photography, pottery and acting.
In addition to Tango, she has studied several dance and movement forms including: Afro and Afro-American dance, jazz, modern, ballet, yoga and pilates. Maria is always in touch with art by painting and pottery because she thinks that “to live surrounded by art wakes up your senses, the different expressions nourish each other and the sensibility of an artist is endless”.
Maria began dancing tango the day a friend asked her to take a class. She fell completely in love with tango the day she first entered a milonga – the people, the atmosphere and the music charmed her forever. “Art is a language: a tool of knowledge and a tool of communication” Jean Dubuffet.
Maria has perform in several shows, tango festivals, corporate events, advertisements and TV presentations around the United States, Brazil and Argentina. Model for Vogue, National Geographic and Travel & Leisure photographers.
GABRIEL MISSE
Is one of the greatest milongueros of this generation recognized for his impeccable classic style, amazing musicality, interpretation and strong command of the stage. Gabriel began his studies of Argentine Tango at his tender age of six years old. He studied with masters such as Antonio Todaro and Miguel Angel Zotto. Since his early years he has had the alliance and tutelage of the most famous milongueros of the golden era: Pepito Avellaneda, Portalea, Villarrazo, and Turco Jose.
He has performed with world renowned artists and musicians such as Julián Plaza, Colangelo, Oscar Basilio, Alberto Castillo, Roberto Goyeneche, Mariano Mores, and more. Gabriel was part of Miguel Angel Zotto's Tango x 2 Company and has performed in highly acclaimed shows such as Una Noche de Tango, Romper el Piso and more.
He has choreographed and staged numerous Tango productions in Argentina and throughout the world and persists in expanding all aspects of his artistic career. He is among a selective group of celebrated Tango critics and is invited to judge competitions in all levels. He has judged numerous Metropolitan Tango Competitions in Argentina as well as Worldwide Tango Competitions all through the classifying, semifinal and final rounds of competitions.
For his great artistic capacity and his mastery of the authentic Tango Argentino style he continues to be chosen and invited to perform and instruct at numerous Tango festivals in the most important cities in United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. He continues to direct, produce, choreograph and delight audiences all over the world with his impeccable artistic performances.
The dynamic style and achievements of Gabriel Missé are the outstanding results of many years of study, preparation and dedication.
ANALIA CENTURION
Is a classical dance teacher, owner and director of classical dance academy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has prepared and led her young students to successful participations in numerous competitions. She began her studies at the age of six years old and was taken by Tango at the young age of 16 years old. She has extensive experience in dancing and teaching Tango in Argentina, North America, Europe and Asia. She has been invited to participate in many Tango festivals and workshops throughout important cities in the world.
Analía has been part of multiple renowned Tango companies in Argentina such as Mora Godoy and Juan Carlos Copes. She was one of the lead dancers on the show of celebrated composer and singer Cacho Castaña . She was casted for famous shows of celebrities such as Piazzola Tango, La Ventana, Madero Tango, Boca Tango and ComplejoTango as well as participated in shows for various Worldwide Tango Competitions, she has also been invited to be one of the judges on some of the classifying levels in Tango competitions.
Analia's passion and dedication for Tango has brought her worldwide recognition and admiration. She continues to travel the world delivering perfection in her performances.
ANGEL ECHEVERRIA
A true “porteño” (one born in Buenos Aires), tango filled the days and nights of Angel Echeverria’s life since the neighborhood he grew up in was home to many famous tango musicians. As a teenager in the early 60’s he began his dancing career studying with the true tango masters, the old milongueros of the famous clubs such as Sunderland, Sin Rumbo, Sans Souci, 17 de Octubre, El Huracan and more. Living in Buenos Aires when the great tango orchestras were still playing at milongas, Angel had the good fortune to dance every week to the legendary live orchestras of Pugliese, Di Sarli, Basso and Troilo.
Angel’s distinctive style carries all the hallmarks of the authentic tanguero… extraordinary musicality, a subtle lead and classic footwork. Affectionately referred to as the “godfather” of tango in Los Angeles, Angel’s teaching is rooted in the technique of improvisation. Although he knows hundreds of complex combinations, his joy is giving students the tools they need to find their unique style and create their own combinations. These qualities, plus decades of dancing and performing experience, make Angel an unparalleled teacher who relishes sharing tango history and stories with his students.
JULIE FRIEDGEN
Motion picture and television writer Julie Friedgen is a native of Los Angeles. A former ballet and flamenco dancer, Julie grew up listening to the music of Carlos Gardel and watching her parents' Argentine friends dance tango at parties. When she began dancing tango sixteen years ago she knew this was the dance for the rest of her life. Her years of ballet and flamenco training taught her how to express one's feelings within a framework of technique. Her goal is to impart to her students how technique can be the foundation upon which they create personal style and artistic expression. Julie brings boundless energy and enthusiasm to every class and she loves the moment when a student's eyes light up as they get that Tango is a journey with no final destination.
ANGEL & JULIE
For the last 13 years Angel and Julie have hosted the longest-running Saturday night milonga in Los Angeles, El Encuentro at which the most illustrious tango performers have danced Gabriel Missé & Analia Centurión, Fernanda Ghi & Guillermo Merlo, Natalia Hills, Geraldin Rojas & Ezequiel Paludi, Miriam Larici & Leonard Barrionuevo, Carlos Barrionuevo & Mayte Valdes, Nito & Elba, Facundo Posadas, Gavito to name a few. Together Angel and Julie own the famous Tango Room Dance Center, home of El Encuentro.
They have also produced some of the most successful live tango events in Los Angeles, i.e. “Tango in Hollywood” at the historic Hollywood Athletic Club; “Tango Confessions” at a landmark Southern California church. Nine years ago they inaugurated the first Los Angeles celebration of The International Day of Tango held each December 11th by tango communities around the world. To mark this special day, the birthday of Carlos Gardel, they created the Carlos Gardel Awards given to outstanding members of the Los Angeles tango community.
Julie and Angel have been guest dancers in the production of “Flamenco Loves Tango” at the Thousand Oaks Arts Center, the famed Santa Barbara Lobero Theater, the venerable Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. They have performed at Los Angeles’ Music Center for Hispanic Heritage month; for the Peruvian Consul General; at the NoHo Arts Festival; at the annual gala of the Mexican-American Bar Association; at the Friar’s Club in Beverly Hills and at the Beverly Hills Women’s Club; at various entertainment industry events as well as numerous private affairs.
