Ney Melo and Jennifer Bratt dance an elegant style of social tango which is rooted in the traditions of the neighborhood of Villa Urquiza in Buenos Aires. (Read an article from the Clarin Newspaper and find out more about
style.) Their dance is defined by a smooth and graceful walk, a powerful sense of musicality, classic steps entwined with intricate embellishments, and an intimate embrace. Their passion and respect for tango, its culture, and its music is clearly evidenced in their dance, as well as in their teaching. They are based out of San Francisco and Austin.
School of Teaching
In their classes together, Ney and Jennifer are dedicated to inspiring students to dance tango with feeling, musicality, cadencia, and connection - the way it is danced in Buenos Aires. The atmosphere in their classes is relaxed, personable and lively, and they place equal emphasis on the ladys role as the mens. Technique and the essence of tango, both fundamental to dancing well, are stressed in whatever step is being shown. Ney and Jennifer have recently taught and performed in Italy, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Romania and Australia, as well as extensively all over North America.
Please click on the 'Classes and Travel' box above to find out where the local classes are, and if Ney and Jennifer are coming to a city near you.
More About Jennifer
Jennifer discovered the Argentine Tango in 2000 and, entranced by the beauty and energy of this art-form, she devoted herself to it completely. Her movements are defined by a natural grace and expressive fluidity, and she is known for her sharp embellishments and articulate feet.
Jennifer believes that it is the intimate contact between two people in argentine tango and adherence to the rhythms inherent in the music that facilitate a level of communication that is profound beyond words. Emphasizing technique and employing vivid images, in her teaching she focuses on posture, connection, and musicality. She advises followers on how to find that meditative place between relaxation and alertness, and works with them to develop the very delicate balance between being too light and too heavy. She has taught and performed extensively in major cities and at festivals all over the United States as well as internationally, and is well known for her Followers Technique and Embellishment Bootcamps.
Jennifer is also the author of the popular ASK MALEVA Tango Advice Column, photographer of Close-Embrace.com, and owner of Maleva Shoes which has been bringing the best hard-to-get Argentine tango shoes to ladies around the world for almost 4 years.
More About Ney
"There will never be a step, sequence, or trick in tango that will come close to matching the power of the embrace."
Ney Melo is among the best of the new generation of Argentine Tango
dancers. His "close-embrace" tango style evolved from his experiences in the milongas of Buenos Aires and his extensive studies with masters of the Villa Urquiza and nuevo styles of tango;
Jorge Dispari y La Turca, Chicho Frumboli , and Julio Balmaceda & Corina de La Rosa, among others.
Ney has become a highly requested teacher for his innovative teaching methods and passion for teaching. He teaches a very popular Argentine tango course at NYU, and has performed tango on Broadway's Town Hall Theatre stage and alongside the "Color Tango" Orchestra from Buenos Aires. He recently taught workshops and performed in Singapore, Malaysia, Romania and Australia, as well as at the Portland Valentango, the DC Tango Marathon, and the Toronto TangoFest.
Click here to visit Ney Melos website and read his bio
|  |
