Festival Artists
Maestros
Jonathan Saavedra
&
Clarisa Aragon
Clarisa and Jonathan belong to a new generation of young dancers who devote themselves entirely to the art of dancing Tango. Their mission is to make tango a lifestyle and, through hard work and commitment to this art, to pass on the traditions, showing how much they love what they do. Dancers since childhood, their professional partnership was born in 2012 in the province of Córdoba, from where they originate. Clarisa and Jonathan were supported unconditionally by their families and their tango community from the very start. This created the foundations of their art. During the following years, their partnership and careers were developed through enriching experiences such as dance competitions, shows and Tango events, encouraging them to take the decision to become professional dancers. Supported by great Maestros and instructors, and their total commitment, they have developed a unique style both in their performances and in their teaching methodology. Moving to Buenos Aires, unimagined growth opportunities emerged. They performed their work in the most popular Milongas and Tango competitions such as the Campeonato de la Cuidad and the Festival y Mundial de Tango (Tango World Championship) which they won (category Tango Pista) in 2015. Clarisa and Jonathan strongly believe their performances are a way to genuinely open up to anyone interested in Tango and to share with them their art. In their teaching, Clarisa & Jonathan offer students their own points of view on technique, different tools tailored for each dancer and their vast knowledge to enable others to experiment with the wonderful art of tango.
Leandro Palou
&
Maria Tsiatsiani
Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani are world-renowned Argentine Tango professionals with a remarkable career spanning several continents. They have performed, taught and judged international AT competitions worldwide, including appearances on TV, radio, theatre and Tango festivals across North & South America, Europe, and Asia. They are highly respected members of the Tango community and are part of the prestigious Tango dance company Tango Por Dos directed by Miguel Angel Zotto. They are also resident Argentine Tango choreographers on BBC Strictly Come Dancing & Dancing with the Stars, bringing their expertise to a global audience. However, their true passion lies in the London Tango Academy, which they have directed since 2003. The school has been nominated and won several awards, including Best Tango School Worldwide in 2018 and 2019, and most recently, Best Dance School of 2023 in the Prestige Awards UK. In 2018, Leandro received a Recognition of Excellence Award from the UK Argentine Embassy, for his work in Tango. They are best known for their elegant style, excellent teaching method & strongly believe that connection, musicality and technique are the keys to fully appreciate the art of Argentine Tango, while they remain committed to preserving its legacy and imparting knowledge from the old milongueros, particularly the Villa Urquiza neighbourhood Salon Style.
Carlos Cisneros
&
Emma Reyes
Carlos Cisneros is a talented dancer from Argentina performing for theatre Tango Porteño as well as teaching tango. Thanks to Leandro Palou and Maria Tsiatsiani from Tango Academy, he is now here in London and is a popular member of the LPTA team. Emma Reyes is a Londoner, tango teacher, freelance performer and multimedia artist. She gives regular classes in London and performs in festivals and events around London and the U.K. Carlos & Emma have danced together professionally since 2021 and have quickly gained a reputation their sensual performances and inspiring teaching. They have given performances across the UK and Europe. In 2022 they were finalists in the Tango World Championships in Bs As and will compete again this year. Together, Carlos & Emma love nothing more than to share their passion and knowledge of tango to help students to express themselves more fully within the dance.
Live music by Tango Siempre
Tango Siempre Cuartet
Tango Siempre are the UK’s leading tango company. Based in London they have given highly acclaimed performances on TV, radio, and major venues throughout the UK and Europe since 1998.
Tango Siempre have appeared on BBC television’s Strictly Come Dancing, Zingzillas, The One Show, ITV’s “Surprise Surprise” and Radio 3’s “In Tune”. Major concert venues have included Queen Elizabeth Hall, Snape Maltings, Sage Gateshead, Bridgewater Hall, The Lowry, Perth Concert Hall, Lighthouse Poole, RNCM, Wales Milennium Centre, St Georges Bristol, Fairfield Halls, Turner Sims and the Casino de Monte Carlo.
“here is the tango, raw, intoxicating, speaking with its true voice” – Financial Times
Tango DJs
Friday Milonga
David Thomas
David’s music is selected from the 1920s to 1950s and is played in the tandas of Tango, Tango, Vals, Tango, Tango, Milonga interspersed with cortinas that take you back to your pre-tango dancing days.
David is the resident DJ of the “Tango Journey Milonga” in the UK and is guest DJ elsewhere in the UK and across Europe.
David has recently published the book “Getting To Know: Twenty Tango Orchestras” which introduces the reader to the orchestra leaders, the signature sounds, and the most popular singers and musicians.
Saturday Milonga
Diego Doigneau
For 9 years Diego has been the resident DJ at Negracha Tango Club, London’s biggest milonga, while also DJing in all London and many UK Milongas. He has also been a DJ at major worldwide festivals and milongas including River Tango in London, Mediterranean Summer Tango Festival in Porec, Brussels Tango Festival, CircuiTo milonguero in Turin, Festivalito in Edinburgh, Tango Torino Festival, Maldito Tango in Sweden, Otoño en Palermo tango Festival, Bella Ciao Marathon in Tours France, Practica X and Viva la Pepa in Buenos Aires and many more.
Saturday Alternative Milonga
Wayne Rozier
Founder of Tango Ffs, Wayne is known for his eclectic mix of traditional and alternative tango music from across the world. He has built an enviable collection of traditional, Nuevo, electro, neo and world tango along with danceable non-tango music. Wayne DJ’s at milonga and festivals across the UK and the USA. He runs the very successful Papa Caliente milonga in Reading.
Sunday Milonga
Fabienne Ines
Fabienne is a London-based tango DJ and dancer. She has been researching and building her tango collection since 2013, but says she will forever be on the hunt for tunes that resonate deeply. Be it energetic and rhythmic, or slow and silky; Fabienne has an affection for music that packs an emotional punch and has playful musicality. Her repertoire is drawn from the classical decades, peppered with hidden gems.
