— from a recent issue of Dance Notes.
 
Tango never ends, nor does the process of learning it. It does not matter whether you are a teacher or an advanced dancer; you just go from one level to another. We think that private lessons are the most effective approach to fast progress in Tango-life, because we use a very particular way of teaching communication. Also, we feel that some special people with fire in their hearts, with dreams in their eyes, with love for this life, will always learn tango faster.

Tango is like traveling: the more you know about it, the more it tells you that you are at the beginning of your road. Moreover, dancing tango is like writing a book: nobody can hide his or her personality while doing it. When we read something, we see the vocabulary and usage of the words, the style and structure of the paragraphs. We see the author behind the description of the subject. The same happens in tango. There are many different styles in tango, different teaching techniques. When a teacher has good knowledge and a clear understanding of tango history, development, and tango techniques, that teacher should have very pleasant and clearly structured lessons. As someone once said in ancient times, "With clear thinking comes clear teaching."

Dancing and learning tango has different meanings and purposes for different people. Recently, a lady wrote to me and said, "Hi Elena! We are Chinese. But I've loved to listen and dance Tango since I was 10. You again re - open for me a new world of tango. How could we become the members of Tango Caminito Company? Alan and I like how you are teaching. Your instructions are very clear and easy for us to learn! We appreciate you. Thanks for your excellent teaching technique." Alice and Alan Chau, Orange County, California

Whatever we do in our lessons or shows is for the joy and pleasure of all. Sometimes, with apologies to Shakespeare, I say, "Tango is life; life is a theater. Tango is a theater of your life." We like to tell jokes during our lessons and watch people laughing and enjoying themselves. That is the best reward for a good teacher.

Since tango is a relationship therapist, we like to teach couples with established communication, and help them to improve it. When couples are learning, practicing and dancing tango together they have a way to a better, longer, and more beautiful life! We say to them, "Tango is just a walk with LOVE in your heart. It means that a leader, at all times during the dance, needs to think about the comfort of his lady. But it is a two-sided coin; the lady needs to listen to the energy impulse that he sends, as a part of his lead, to her. Tango is like making love; a man is never in a hurry! He leads, then waits for a woman to finish her move, and then he leads her to other things again." If people listen to each other during the dance, they will learn more about each other.

Ladies, even some who like to control, are looking for a confident man-a leader. They don't like men who doubt, either in life or in tango. If the gentleman understands where he is going, if he is not confused with his own decisions, ladies will enjoy dancing with him.

My student at San Diego Champion Ballroom Academy, Edy Lange, from La Jolla, who began to learn to dance in Vienna in the forties wrote to me: "Elena, you are teaching with such joy and enthusiasm! It is a joy to be in your class. I am telling you that because I see also that you both are tremendous business people. I love your way of teaching that is why I come. Thank you." People come to learn tango for many different reasons. Most of them are motivated by the incredible images from tango movies, by the beauty of the music, or by an atmosphere of romance and nostalgia… we think that the passion for Tango is the hidden, unconscious desire for eternity. And once again, we are teaching these special people who feel the music, and deeply understand the powerful present moment of our life!

www.TangoCaminito.com
EPankey@Juno.com
(760) 728 71 85