When it comes to learning the dance, the contemporary tango dancer is faced with two big questions. Which teacher dances the best style and who teaches the best.

For the question of style, the main problem is that tango being a freeform and social dance, does not have a fixed and correct style. Everyone dances their own style.

Javier Rodriguez explained to me not so long ago, up till the early 1990s, there were not many tango schools. He just learnt the basic 8 steps from his dad, who was the former organizer of Club Sunderland and then just danced. The level of dancing was much higher than today and the tango community were very selective. He recounts one time when he first started out, an old milonguero (hardcore guy dancer) cornered him in the toilet and told him, "You will never learn how to dance tango!" Javier was terrified but he continued to dance. Slowly the old milongueros accepted his sincerity and Javier recalls the countless nights, many of them will stay back late when the milonga ends at 5am in the morning to demonstrate and teach him steps. The milongueras (hardcore lady dancers) who were excellent dancers would give him tips as he danced with them in the milongas. Javier told me, "They just wanted to weed out the trash so that only the people who really loves tango stays. But once you are accepted, they embrace you like their son."

So this was how the beginner dancers used to learn. By the passing of knowledge from the old guard. The schools were the milonga itself, private lessons were free and priceless, after the milonga.

Marite, Javier's good friend, and an excellent milonguera and teacher told me, "I had to sit and watch in El Beso for a year. Before the men were given the green light by the milongueras, to dance with me." Marite started tango more than 10 years ago, when the codes were still very strict. She and Javier explained to me, due to the military junta and the popularization of rock and roll and swing in the 70s, there was a lack of transmition of knowledge from the older generation. Javier Rodriguez, Andrea Misse, Geraldine Rojas and Marite were amongst the few younger generation who started tango when the last of the old guard like were still around. Learning the traditional tango essence from the very roots.

During early 2000s, there emerged two main schools of structured tango teaching, tango milongeuro by Cacho Dante and then popularized by Susana Miller; another one nuevo school; started by Fabian Salas, Pablo Veron, Gustavo Naviera and Chicho Frumboli. Since then tango as a teaching industry exploded and various styles and definitions started to appear.

The good thing is that people now have lots of choices, and tango as a dance would not die out as the older generation goes away. But the hard thing for the dancer then is to identify which school does he want to learn from.

I would leave the discussion of the merits of each style to another day. Also, there had not been any proper categorization of the terminology yet; its not like there was a Council of Buenos Aires for the canonization of the tango terms. But for discussion purposes lets generalize the tango schools to 1. Tango Salon, 2.Tango Milonguero, 3. Tango Nuevo.

Tango salon actually was the original term to describe social argentine tango. 'Salon' comes from the term dance salon; the floor where tango is danced. During the old times tango salon did not mean any particular style. It was just a general term to describe and differenciate social dancing and show tango (tango fantasy). At the dance salons, on the social dancefloor different milongueros dance their own styles and had their own favourite and distinct figures.

Nowadays, tango salon is used to describe the classic traditional tango with long steps and more expressive figures with the feet. The embrace is more loose and the dancers may open up to do more complex figures. Some of the characteristical salon figures are lapiz, enrosques and long smooth walks.

Tango milonguero are characterised by the close embrace, 'apilado' style, using figures such as ocho cortardo and short walks to play with the rhythm of the music. Apilado is spanish for piled up; because in that embrace the dancers look like they are leaning, piling up on each other by the chest. But actually the term 'milonguero' was coined by Cacho Dante and Susana Miller. Essentially tango milonguero was tango salon, just that this particular style was evident in the more crowded milongas in the center of Buenos Aires. Due to the crowded floor, the dancers had to huddle up in a tighter embrace and use shorter steps. But the point is, if one were to go 20 years back, there would not be tango milonguero, nuevo... etc. Only tango salon where some people hug tighter and some opened up the embrace during the dance.

Nowadays, tango milonguero is a very good starting point for learning the real essence of social tango because as the milongas of Buenos Aires are getting more and more crowded. This style lets you dance, navigate and express to the music even at the most crowded milongas. Also tango milonguero focus on expressing the music with simple, technically non demanding steps and communicating feelings with the body intimately. As such, the social essence of traditional tango is very clearly and rapidly conveyed to the students.

Tango nuevo (nuevo means 'new' in spanish) was a brainchild of Fabian Salas, Pablo Veron, Gustavo Naviera and Chicho Frumboli. They wanted to analysed the movement of tango, the leading and following part and came out with a very structured and logical way to explain tango.

Since then tango nuevo has evolved into a very movement based type of dance and technically demanding. The current schools added a lot of modern dance elements into it. Its characterized by a very elastic kind of energy between the two dancers with long big boleos and colgadas.

For my first few months here I tried many teachers. I experienced a bit of salon and nuevo style but I concentrated mainly on the milonguero style. After I met Javier in November 06, I began to dance a more salon style, some call it Villa Urquiza style. I shall share with you some of the good experiences I had with the following teachers.

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Tango Milonguero

Cacho Dante and Rosana Devesa (English speaking)

They are my principle teachers. Cacho have been dancing and teaching tango for a long time. He is a super fine milonguero and maestro. His students include Susana Miller, Ana Maria Schapira, etc. He is now teaching with Rosana. Rosana complements him perfectly because of her knowledge of body dynamics; she also teaches body meditation.

Their classes focus on the leading with body, musicality and navigation on the dancefloor. Cacho breaks down all the subtlety of the lead in a very logical manner, hence allowing his students to create their own way of dancing and their own way of expressing to the music.

Besides being very dedicated teachers, they are very warm and nice and their classes have a very warm family vibe.

Tete and Silvia (English speaking)

When you see Tete in motion you can feel the spirit and essence of tango; you can also feel his incredible internal energy and rhythm. The way he dances belies his age. Together with Cacho, Flaco Dany; Tete is one of the few old milongueros still around.

His classes is full of energy. Like a lot genius, he is eccentric and very passionate in his teaching; he would not hesitate to stare at you and give you a piece of his mind. Often, when he did not like what he saw in my dance, he would come near and exclaim, "Sin miedo! Mas cadencia!! Mas swing!!! (No fear! more groove!)."

Silvia helps translate and clarify some of the concepts Tete explains. She is very nice and also a deejay on Cannings monday nights.

I really feel that if one makes it all the way to Buenos Aires,  one should really take from age old milongueros such as him. You cannot find them anywhere else in the world. The represent all the things that made true tango what it is. Even if it is just to see him in action, hear his words, even if one cannot understand just yet, one day it will all make sense if you press on.

Susana Miller and Maria Plazaola (English speaking)

Susana Miller was the one who popularized 'tango milonguero'. Her class is popular and well attended. Together with Maria Plazaola, the former partner of Gavito, they teach the milonguero close embrace style.

Her class begins with individual techniques, then some double time walks, playing with the beat. Then she will teach a figure. It is a good place to learn new figures to express the music.

She is pays a lot of individual attention to the students and is very strict with her students, like all good teachers.

Ana Maria Schapira (English speaking)

Ana Maria Schapira used to teach together with Susana Miller. Later she would start her own school. She teaches in a similar way and similar concepts and techniques as Susana Miller. Also another good place to learn new figures to express the music.

She has a warm personality and is very patient to her students.

Jorge Firpo (English speaking)

Jorge teaches tango milonguero, tango salon and milonga. He is relatively young compared to the old milongueros. But he grew up in the milongas with his dad and then later on moved on to dancing stage tango, folklore and other classical dance professionally. As such he knows the essence of tango and is able to explain it clearly in terms with the aid of contemporary dance explanations.

He also gives a very good technique for men class which is essential for all who wishes to improve their dance.

Here are also some of the teachers who teach the milonguero style I took from, and enjoyed learning from them.

Gabriela Elias (English speaking, Milonga con traspie)
Muma (Milonga con traspie)
El Pibe Sarandi (Milonga con traspie)

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Tango Salon

Javier Rodriguez and Andrea Misse (English speaking)

To me he is the best dancer in the world. With the elegance of classic tango, the incredible speed in his feet, the way he listens to music, his understanding of the very core of the philosophy of tango, the way he allows the lady to have her own say in the dance and making them look beautiful and his ability to transmit so much energy into the dance yet remain as calm as still water. Together with Andrea Misse, they are breathtaking to watch.

As a teacher he is colourful, animated, and flamboyant; his classes are full of energy. He told me, "If I were to explain, lift your chest up, pull down your shoulder blades and tightened your abs muscles. The students will have a hard time getting it. As compared to saying, put out your tits as if you are walking down a nude beach with your new breast implants. The ladies will get it immediately." With the deep respect he has for tango, he transmit his knowledge with all his passion and tries to teach the students the way he thinks tango deserves.

Andrea Misse translates whatever Javier says into english. She often turns deep red when Javier asked her to translate exactly what he says. She dances beautifully, has impeccable technique and most importantly, is her amazing speed with fluidity. Their partnership is relatively new, less than 2 years and everytime I see them dance, Andrea gets more and more expressive. The last time I saw them dance at El Beso I could almost hear them talking and laughing with their feet.

She is beautiful and warm and gives a lot of individual attention to the students. She is very approachable and explains to the students in a very clear and concise manner.

They travel around the world and are in high demand. It is very hard to get to them but I had all the luck in the world to be in Buenos Aires learning from them in the few months they are back in their homeland.

El Flaco Dany

Dany is one of the best milonga dancers in the world in my opinion. Matched only by Javier. He is elegant and has amazing speed.

Teaching wise he is a very dedicated teacher. He really gives you a lot of attention if you are struggling. I have seen him spend half an hour on a couple. It feels to me like he takes it personally to make sure you know what he taught.

You have to understand spanish to get the maximum out of him. But nonetheless he's class is one of those where you have to try just because he is so good at how he dances and he is essentially; tango.

Julio Balmaceda and Corina De La Rosa (English speaking)

World famous dancers. They are amazing to watch dancing vals, due to the power and smoothness in their 'giros' (turns). Julio and Corina has amazing energy in classes, their classes are fun and they always have beautiful and amazing figures to teach. Usually their classes have an more than 30 people.

They dance a style of tango salon, with a little bit mix of nuevo elements.

Here are some other teachers of tango salon style which I had good experiences learning from.

Gabriel Misse and Alejandra Martinan (Stage, salon; english speaking)
Fernando Galera and Vilma Vega (Salon, english speaking)
Jorge Dispari and Maria La Turca (Salon, Villa Urquiza style)
Gustavo Chidichimon (Milonga con traspie)
Andres Laza Moreno 'Bichy' (Salon, Villa Urquiza style)

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Tango Nuevo

Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne (English speaking)

Probably no one teaches the original tango nuevo as well as Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne. I took some of their classes and they have broken the lead of tango into very clear and logical elements. He also explains very well the elements of the music.

I've seen them dance. To me their tango is danced with the 'nuevo' concepts, but retains the feeling of the classic salon. That is what I like about them as compared to other tango nuevo dancers.

Honestly my knowledge of tango nuevo is very limited. But I would strongly recommend any nuevo enthusiasts to learn nuevo from the originator himself.

The other two main tango nuevo schools in Buenos Aires are DNI Studios and Tango Brujo.

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Conclusion

Cacho Dante summed it up very nicely when I once asked him what was the true essence of tango. He replied, "Dancing for the lady, dancing to the music and dancing with the other people surrounding you on the dance floor." I think whichever style you prefer, in the end if your aim is to learn the true essence of social tango then you have to ask yourself these questions;

Is the dance that you are learning, a dance where your partners feels comfortable and connected when he or she dances with you? Can you express the tango music with your dance, I'm not talking about electronic tango; rather the traditional tango music that comes from such a long time ago? Are you learning to dance in such a way that you are in harmony with the dancers dancing in front of you, behind you and around you; they are not dancing with fear that you would crash into them anytime?

If you are in Buenos Aires, in the roots of tango, then look for the roots, stick yourself amongst them. Learn from the roots and experience what true tango is all about; not just a series of body movements; but a whole lifestyle philosphy.