My mission has always been to keep my art honest to myself. When I step on stage or on the dancefloor, I will never give less than everything I have. This discipline is what keeps me alive and vital. What you will witness is a piece of my heart incarnated in Tango. I ask the same of my company. When you see my company perform, you will see artists who are feeling everything they do, and who will leave it all on the dancefloor. We are blessed to make a living in our artform, and we appreciate every opportunity to perform for you.
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 can put one in. Tango, if you allow it to, 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 tuxes and stilettos. It can be fun and playful, or sad and intimate. 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 styles 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.
As a human, my goal is to do what I can for the world community to help out anyone in need. I am of the belief that I AM my brother's keeper, in the sense that if my sisters and brothers are in need of something I have, and I am in a position to help, it is my duty to help. For them, for me, for all of us. So, in the end, "TANGO TO THE PEOPLE, BABY!" means bringing the virtues of my successful Tango career to anyone who is in need. In this case, it is T-Shirts and merchandise we sell where 100% of the proceeds go to charity. So please help us bring TANGO TO THE PEOPLE and donate to our causes, and get some nice "SWEATSHOP-FREE" stuff at the same time!
Tango To The People, Baby!
Carlos Cañedo
Carlos Cañedo began performing as a professional artist at age 15 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 El Pampa Cortes. Carlos moved to New York City in 2000 and began performing in the cast of SWANGO, TANGO Y VIDA, as well as with Sandra Antognazzi in FUSION TANGO. He has performed in legendary North American venues including LINCOLN CENTER in New York City, THE PLACE DES ARTS in Montreal, THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS in San Francisco. Carlos 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 and Cameron Diaz. Recently, Carlos performed in Mexico with Junior Cervila's LATIN DANCE CARNIVAL, and in Germany at the KULTUR PUR FESTIVAL with the SUDWESTFALEN PHILHARMONIC. He has also choreographed cast members of the hit Broadway show FOREVER TANGO in his own company. Carlos was invited to teach for the JOFFREY BALLET SCHOOL in New York City. In 2005, Carlos first performed on Broadway in Romulo Larrea's TANGO POUR LA MILONGA at TOWN HALL, cultivating a professional and artistic relationship that continues to this day. Carlos is now choreographer of SPOTLIGHT ON TANGO, TANGOS FROM GARDEL TO PIAZZOLLA, and will also be choreographing TANGOS FOR LOVERS ONLY, premiering at TOWN HALL in 2012.
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".
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 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 GENERATION'S "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 SUMMERSTAGE and THE GAGA ARTS FESTIVAL. Most recently, Ms. Barsky has began her first season as a dancer with THE METROPOLITAN OPERA.
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 in 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 REPERATORY 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, ASOCACIÓN 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.
Anaïs's ballet training began at 10 with private coaching from a VAGANOVA ACADEMY graduate. At 14, she became a full scholarship student at BALLET HISPANICO. At 16, Anaïs auditioned for New York Ballet, and became their youngest soloist with roles specifically choreographed for her in Don Quixote and Les Sylphides . At 17, she graduated from STUDIO MAESTRO - New York City's premier ballet academy. A year later, Anaïs was made a soloist with METROPOLITAN BALLET COMPANY, where she danced for two seasons. Anaïs has performed and taught Tango with Carlos Cañedo throughout the US. She recently appeared on NBC's LX NEW YORK.
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.
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 includingCARNEGIE HALL, LINCOLN 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", and the chart-topping Vanessa Williams/Chayanne video 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 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. Visit her website at www.marianagalassi.com.
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 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.
ROSA COLLANTES - Instructor/Performer
Rosa Collantes was an internationally renowned performer, choreographer, and dance instructor that I had the pleasure of working with for over 10 years. Her passing in 2010 was a tragedy and she will be missed.
Not only was Jason a great friend, he was one of the most complete dancers I have ever had the chance to dance with. and I will miss him.
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.