My mission has always been to keep my art honest to myself without compromise. Therefore, as a performer, I am giving you an unadulterated view of my soul. An intense statement, I know. But the truth can be at thymes, and I don't apologize for it. When I step on stage, I will never give less than everything I have. And I don't do this for you, the audience. I do this for me. "Love or perish" - this philosophy is what keeps me alive and vital. What you will witness is a piece of my heart incarnated in Tango, period. I ask the same of my company. When you see my dancers perform, you will see artists who are loving what they are doing, and who will leave it all on the stage. We are blessed to make a living in our artform, and to take it for granted would be a crime.

As a teacher, my mission is to make this dance accessible to everybody that wants to learn it, both technically and economically, and to help them reach that Divine state that this dance puts me in. Tango, to me, is a completely improvised dance between two. If you allow it to, it can be one of the most intense experiences of your life. Tango's only limits are the ones you put on them. It can be danced just as elegantly in sweats and sneakers, and just as gritty in pinstripes and stilettos. It can be fun and playful, or sad and intimate. The music can range from classic orchestras of Pugliese and D'Arienzo to the modern sounds of The Beastie Boys and AC/DC. No limits, baby! Tango can be sweet, rough, lighthearted, violent. The technique I teach is subtle and relaxed, yet strong and dynamic. If you can feel the emotion, you can express it through this artform. There are many of tango. I respect and learn from many of them, but am true to my own. Allow me to teach you my discipline and help you cultivate your own.

Peace,

Carlos Cañedo

THE TANGO COMPANY IS:

CARLOS CAÑEDO - Founder/Director/Soul Brother #1

Carlos Cañedo began performing professionally at age 14 and has performed throughout Argentina, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United States, both as a dancer and as a musician. As a member of TANGO A MEDIA LUZ, Carlos was dance captain and assistant under Tango great, Pampa Cortes. Carlos was in the cast of SWANGO, and performed in the show TANGO Y VIDA. He performed with Sandra Antognazzi in TANGO POUR LA MILONGA, and is a cast member of FUSION TANGO. He has performed in legendary venues from coast to coast, from TOWN HALL in New York City, to THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS in San Francisco. He has also been seen on television in over 20 countries worldwide, on such programs as NBC's THE TODAY SHOW and UNIVISION's DESPIERTA AMERICA, and worked with movie stars Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, and film director Spike Jonez. Carlos was invited to teach for the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, and was guest choreographer for New York's ATREVETE DANCE COMPANY. He has also choreographed cast members of the hit Broadway show FOREVER TANGO in his own company. Most recently, Carlos performed in Mexico with LATIN DANCE CARNIVAL, in Germany with the SUDWESTFALEN PHILHARMONIC, and at New York's prestigious LINCOLN CENTER.
Carlos also played in the seminal punk band THE PEECHEES from 1994 to 1998, putting out three full length albums on the KILL ROCK STARS label and singles on various labels, including LOOKOUT! RECORDS and SUBPOP. Carlos is a featured artist in the documentary "SONGS FOR CASSAVETES", currently playing on THE SUNDANCE CHANNEL. He is currently a member of LOVE OR PERISH.
Carlos thinks bios are lame.

LEAH BARSKY - Performer/Instructor

Leah Barsky was born in Germany. She has been dancing since the early age of five . Ms. Barsky attended California Institute of the Arts after high school but left before graduating to return to NYC to pursue her professional dance career. Ms. Barsky has also trained at The Julliard School, New York State Summer School of the Arts and American Dance Festival. She is proficient in classical ballet, modern, jazz and tango. Ms. Barsky has danced with Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, performing in international dance festivals in Korea and Poland. Ms. Barsky was quoted as being "sensual and direct and was the most compelling", by The New York Times review of New Generations Black and White Tango. Ms. Barsky has also performed in various festivals in and around NYC including The Down Town Battery Dance Festival, Central Park's Summer Stage and The Gaga Arts Festival. Most recently, Ms. Barsky has began her first season as a dancer with The Metropolitan Opera.

SANDRA ANTOGNAZZI - Performer

In Argentina, Sandra performed with celebrated choreographer Ana Maria Stekelman, Director of Tangokinesis and internationally known for successfully combining the tango idiom with the modern dance. She was awarded the Gold Medal (First Prize) dancing together with dancer/choreographer Soledad Tranmar and received a Special Award for Best Soloist at "Primer Certamen Americano de Danza y Ballet" held in Buenos Aires in 1990. She performed in operas and choreographic productions at Teatro Colon Buenos Aires, and has toured throughout the US and Canada. Upon arriving in New York in 1992, Sandra was awarded a Scholarship to study with Jennifer Muller / The Works. As a principal dancer with the Doris Humphrey Repertory Dance Company (1993-95), Mary Anthony Dance Theater (1996-2000) and Errol Grimes Dance Group (1997-present). Sandra has been teaching modern dance since 1990, at Universidad Nacional De Tucuman, Asociacion Arte y Cultura, Teatro El Globo -Argentina- and at the Center for Modern Dance Education/N.J.In 2003 she toured in the US with Tango & Tango, under the direction of Mtro. Hector Zaraspe. Sandra created Fusion Tango in 2000, a company that fuses the traditional tango with modern dance.

DANNIA VARGAS - Instructor/Performer

Dannia Vargas has been dancing Argentine Tango since 2002 under the instruction of Carlos Cañedo, the founder of The Tango Company. As part of The Tango Company, Dannia has been performed in various New York City theaters such as The Linhart Theater, The Kraine Theater and The Lark Theater as well as the most prestigious milongas in New York City such as La Belle Époque, La Nacional, The Tango Lounge, and La Boca. Most recently, Dannia performed live on Univision’s “DESPIERTA AMERICA” airing in 22 countries worldwide. Dannia has also trained with world-renowned Tango greats Guillermina Quiroga, Graciela Gonzalez, Roberto Reis, Nito y Elba, and Facundo & Kely Posada. She has also traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina to train with original cast members of Broadway’s “FOREVER TANGO ”. Dannia teaches both lead and follow techniques. She teaches throughout New York City and headed up an Argentine Tango program in Forest Hills, Queens. In addition to dance, Dannia has also been involved in and studied Theater Arts.

GUEST ARTISTS

CECILIA SAÍA - Instructor/Performer

Cecilia Saia was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her early career focused on Modern and Ballet, both as a teacher and a performer. By the age of 20, a fascination with her native Tango had grown into a tull time passion. Before long she began to work with Juan Carlos Copes' company both as dancer and assistant choreographer. She travelled the world performing with some of the most renowned names in dance and song, including Julio Boca and Libertad Lamarque. In 1995, she was featured in the accaimed Broadway show "FOREVER TANGO", as well as the highly successful "TANGO PASION". In addiiton to television appearances on GOOD MORNING AMERICA, Cecilia has performed, choreographed, and directed such events as Carnegie Hall's "TANGO NUEVO" and "DREAM OF TANGO" at Pittsburgh's Byham Theater, as well as with the Ensemble Romulo Larrea in "TANGOS POUR LA MILONGA", which has toured at the Outremont in Montreal, Meany Hall for Performing Arts center in Californina, where they received a rave front page review in the LA TIMES. In Texas, Cecilia performed to sold out audiences in "TANGO TANGO" with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Hector Zaraspe. You can visit her website at www.ceciliasaia.com.

ROSA COLLANTES - Instructor/Performer

Rosa Collantes is an internationally renowned performer, choreographer, and dance instructor.  She has worked and studied with some of the most distinguished names in the Tango and Salsa world, including Carlos Gavito, Nito and Elba, and Hector Zaraspe. Audiences throughout the United States, South America, and Europe have hailed the intensity and authenticity that are the hallmark of her work as a featured dancer, ensemble member, and visionary choreographer.  As a critically acclaimed choreographer working in theatre, music video, and film, Rosa has recently worked on a Tito Puento tribute at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, with Miro Sorvino and John Leguizamo (Summer of Sam), with Joe Pesci (My Cousin Vinni), and with Vanessa Williams and Chayanne (Dance with Me).  She also coached Matt Damon in dance for The Brothers Grimm.  Known for her unique and sensual style, Rosa has performed live at Manhattan’s most illustrious venues, including CARNEGIE HALL, LINCOLN CENTER, and TOWN HALL and has made guest appearances on television shows like GOOD MORNING AMERICA, REGIS AND KATHY LEE, and SABADO GIGANTE. You can visit her website at www.rosacollantes.com.

MARIANA GALASSI - Instructor/Performer

Mariana Galassi was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she started dancing Tango over 8 years ago. She trained intensively with Chicho Frumboli and Lucia Mazer, Julio Balmaceda and Corina de La Rosa, and Gustavo Naveira. As a member of ANA KAMIEN DANCE COMPANY, she performed in Buenos Aires’ most Notable theaters. In 2000, she moved to New York City where she currently performs and teaches Argentine Tango. She continues to travel throughout the United States performing at different venues and giving workshops. She participated as a dancer and teacher in several Tango festivals including the prestigious CONGRESS OF ARGENTINE TANGO  (CITA, BUENOS AIRES 2004) where she was one of the invited Tango masters. Currently, she is a member of the NEW GENERATION DANCE COMPANY, directed by Dardo Galetto, which blends modern dance with Tango. Visit her website at www.marianagalassi.com.

ANGEL GARCIA-CLEMENTE - Performer

He can take any stage any space and make it his own...
A serious-minded professional dancer, ensemble member, or visionary choreographer. Garcia has worked and studied with Carlos Gavito, Nito and Elba and Hector Zaraspe. He has danced live at Manhattan's most illustrious venues including CARNEGIE HALL, LINNCOLN CENTER, and TOWN HALL. Angel also shared his artistry with an appreciative worldwide audience, appearing on GOOD MORNING AMERICA and BEST TALK. Music videos are still another arena the multi-talented Garcia has conquered, appearing in MY COUSIN VINNY, the chart-topping Vanessa Williams/Chayanne single from the major motion picture DANCE WITH ME. Garcia's unique style in Argentine Tango, Milonga and Vals, and his encyclopedic knowledge of the Latin American Folkloric repertoire, plus a lively take on contemporary social dances including Salsa and Merengue, ensure that he's always in demand -- from the ballroom to the barrio, from Boston to Buenos Aires anywhere excellence is found. You can visit his website at www.angeltango.com.

MARIANA PARMA - Performer

Mariana Parma has traveled worldwide performing and choreographing for film and theater productions. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has been featured in motion pictures, national commercials and Independent Films.She is a Producer and performer in the new musical, "Swango, the Musical", written by Tony and Grammy award winner, Rupert Holmes. Mariana was also the assistant choreographer for the world premiere production, "Camila, the Musical" (Walnut Street Theater), and coached Chita Rivera on how to Tango for "Venecia", directed by Author Laurents (George Street Playhouse). Mariana has also performed in the workshop of "The Bronx Casket Company", directed and choreographed by three time Tony award winner Hinton Battle.Mariana Parma is an acclaimed performer that combines her extensive dance background in her performances on stage and in film. She has also performed in many dance festivals in Avignon, France, the Pan American Festival, and many other Latin American events. She is a specialized dance instructor at Dance Manhattan Ballroom School, Steps on Broadway, and The New School at Columbia. You can visit her website at www.marianaparma.com.

JASON COLACINO - Performer

Originally from San Francisco Bay Area, Jason started his dancing career in Country Western when attended a class with his parents at the age of fifteen. Which later on would take him traveling across the Nation teaching, choreographing, competing, judging and performing in the Country Western and West Coast Swing circuit. With his wide array of dance background, which includes West Coast Swing, Country Western, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Jazz, Ballet, and Ballroom dances, Colacino has worked and studied with many top instructors across the world.   Incorporating his jazz and Ballet technique he has created a unique style of his own allowing him to be powerful, swift and intricate in his dance taking any stage anywhere and making it his own.   Colacino has Shared his artistry with an appreciative worldwide audience performing in several Stage productions.   Music Videoís, Acting and Modeling are still another arena that talented Colacino is in demand for all over the United States and in New York City where he now resides. You can visit his website at www.jasoncolacino.net.

IVAN TERRAZAS & SARA GRDAN - Performers

Ivan was born in Mendoza, Argentina. He started his artistic career at 12 years of age, dancing at the Festival Nacional de la Vendimia. Ivan was trained by his parents, Eduardo Terrazas and Beatriz Herrera, in competition Malambo, folklore, classical ballet and Argentine Tango. Since arriving in New York, he has received two scholarships, one with Frank Hatchett in Jazz and the other with The Mambo King Eddie Torres, in Mambo on 2, and is currently studying Tap with Germaine Salsberg. Ivan's diverse styles, talent, and facility to learn have taken him to represent the Broadway show “Forever Tango” on the TV program “Broadway on Broadway” WNBC (Times Square 42th street). Sara is originally from Zagreb, Croatia, though she has lived and studied in Paris, France and London, UK. She studied regional folklore dances and classical ballet technique, participated in numerous exhibitions and was a winner of regional and national prizes. At the age of 13 she moved to Los Angeles, USA where, after taking a revitalizing break from dance, she began again to study modern dance and later took up Argentine Tango. Ivan and Sara met in New York City and have dedicated themselves to the passion and intensity of Argentine Tango. Together they are among the youngest and most recognized proponents of Argentine Tango on the East Coast, both socially and as teachers and performers. They have been trained by Diego Di Falco, Pablo Pugliese, and Jorge Torres. You can visit their website at www.feraltango.com.

 

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