Tango Lessons North York

There are essentially three types of Tango — Argentine, American and International Style. If you’re looking for Tango lessons in North York, you’ve come to the right place, because at our dance studio we teach all three types of Tango classes.

  • Argentine Tango: (arrabalero) a dance created by the Gauchos in Buenos Aires. It was actually an attempt on their part to imitate the Spanish dance except that they danced it in a closed ballroom position. The Tango caused a sensation and was soon to be seen the world over in a more subdued version. Take advantage of our Tango lessons in North York to learn more.
  • American Tango: Unlike the Argentine Tango, in which the dancer interprets the music spontaneously without any predetermined slows or quicks, the American Tango features a structure which is correlated to the musical phrasing. The dance is executed both in closed position and in various types of extravagant dance relationships which incorporate a particular freedom of expression that is not present in the International style. Learn more about this style. Try our North York Tango lessons.
  • International Tango: This is a highly disciplined and distinctively structured form of the Tango which is accepted worldwide as the format for dance sport events. The dancers remain in traditional closed position throughout and express both legato and staccato aspects of the type of music appropriate to this style. Sign up to try our Tango classes in North York to experience it for yourself.

The Tango is one of the most beautiful of all the dances. It is characterized by earthy and dramatic movements which you’ll learn in our Tango classes. North York residents trust Arthur Murray to teach them the steps and to help make it fun.

History of
Tango

The Tango began in the West Indies and found its way to Argentina where it was stylized by the Gauchos. It became the rage in 1921 after the silent screen star Rudolph Valentino brought this romantic dance to millions in “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. More recently, it has been danced in movies such as True Lies and Scent of a Woman. Today, the Tango is considered the “dancer’s dance” and becomes a favourite of all who learn it. If you want to learn it and are in North York we can help. In fact, we also have studios where we teach Tango dance lessons in Etobicoke (The Kingsway), Downtown Toronto (Yorkville), North York/Scarborough, and Vaughan (Woodbridge).

Characteristics of Tango

The hold in Tango is more compact than in other moving dances. The walk in Tango differs from walks in other dances in that it is a staccato action obtained by delaying the follow through of the free leg and foot. In order to achieve the distinctive style of the Tango it is important to develop controlled staccato footwork, along with fluid graceful movements. The unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing which develops as the dancer becomes more proficient. Tango practice is essential towards becoming a good dancer.

Sign up for Tango lessons

Tango music is usually written in 2/4 or 4/4 timing. The first teaching rhythm in tango is slow, slow, quick, quick, slow.

Tango songs and artists include:

  • Hernando’s Hideaway , from “The Pajama Game”
  • Whatever Lola Wants, from “Damn Yankees”
  • La Cumparsita, by Julio Iglesias
  • Por Una Cabeza, from “Scent of a Woman”