Alicia Pons and Luis Rojas return to Chicago following their participation in the Ninth Annual Chicago Mini Tango Festival in April. Their workshops will be on May 3rd and 4th. You can sign up with a partner or as an individual if you take the full 6 class package or purchase a full day pass. If you come to an individual class you will need to bring a partner. We will attempt to gender balance the enrollment. Alicia and Luis will be available for private lessons during their stay; either together or separately. Please schedule early the private lesson because of their limited stay.
Bio Alicia Pons is an elegant and accomplished dancer with a refined technique and distinctive personality. Her ability to imbue the role of the woman with verve and style has made her one of the most sought after female partners in Buenos Aires milongas. She is most noted for her beautiful foot play and the strongly sensual connection with her partner, which is done with humor and decorum. She exemplifies communication and presence in the dance, and this is a focus in her teaching for both men and women. Alicia was trained in classical ballet from an early age and as a young woman performed in some of Buenos Aires' most famous theaters such as the Colon, the Coliseo, and the Alvear. Her introduction to tango came later, and her first teacher was Graciela Gonzalez, whose women's technique helped shape Alicia's tango footwork. Alicia then gravitated toward the milonguero style and her first inspiration and male teacher in that style was Tete Rusconi, one of the most renowned milongueros of his generation. She taught a number of years with Cacho Dante, with whom she has performed at the Teatro San Martin as part of the City of Buenos Aires Tango Festival. Alicia has been teaching both private and group classes on her own in Buenos Aires and the U.S. for the last few years. She has become a very popular visiting instructor on the U.S. Argentine Tango workshop circuit. As a teacher, Alicia emphasizes the connection between the partners, and in particular the woman's ability to not just follow, but to be an equal protagonist in the dance. Her knowledge of the mechanics of what makes the dance work in the "milonguero" embrace is unique. Alicia's teaching methods are grounded in her academic training. She holds a degree in Educational Science and Psychology, and she is currently an instructor for university level education students, in addition to her teaching, being a mother of two sons, and running her family real estate business. She is a very warm and caring person who loves to share her knowledge. Luis Rojas is a Professor and Dancer of Argentine Tango since 2004. He gave regular classes in Mar Del Plata, Argentina every Tuesday and Thursday from 2004 to 2008. He also organized during that time a Milonga every Saturday called “Milonga La Academia.” In 2009, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, giving private classes and group classes in the hall of “Estudios A”. In 2012, he continued with his group and private classes and exhibitions in Buenos Aires. He returned to Europe in March 2012 for 3 months from March to June. He then returned to Buenos Aires where he continued giving his classes in the “National Dance Hall” on Fridays. Later in 2012, he started giving classes with the great Alicia Pons in the dance hall “Aires Tangueros” until early January 2013 when he left to give classes and perform in Italy, Belgium, Holland and Spain. Here are links to performances by Alicia Pons and Luis Rojas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3wHHU18XO0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF0BaxaJR7Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1I3ZkEhNH8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwL5Ttj1q58 For more information concerning the workshops to: www.chicagotangofestival.com/AliciaLuisWS
