Experience Argentine Tango with Rusty Cline & Joanne Canalli.
"You really are on to something Rusty Cline. I can’t imagine where Lorayne and I would be if we had started this way. And you’re right that the main thing is how much simpler your method makes it. Keep up the good work we are sure enjoying the ride. Thank you! My hour with my wife Monday night was amazing… she was grinning from ear to ear and we did sacada after sacada and most of it was her idea!! How cool… Thank you! Jim Baker, Tucson
“Our world is not changed because we teach Argentine Tango. We teach Tango because Tango changed our world – body, mind and spirit! ”
- Social Dancers, Performers, Teachers, Organizers
- 18 years of Argentine Tango experience between them as a couple
- Studied with more than 60 tango masters
- Masters of Milonguero, Salon and Neuvo. Specialize in community building.
- Travel to Buenos Aires for immersion within the dance, culture and traditions of Argentine Tango
- Finalist in the USA Argentine Tango Salon Competition 2012, Competed in the 2012 Mundial Buenos Aires Competition in Salon Category
- Attended and participated in over 30 tango festivals
- Provide Teaching tours within the US and Australia
- Teaching Tango locally together since 2006 hosting weekly classes, practicas, and milongas
- Host and organize workshops for visiting tango masters
- Founders and Organizers of the Tucson Tango Festivals and Tucson Tango Productions
- Performed in TangoAllure, 2010 and I-CAN Tango Extravaganza, 2012
- The Tango Walk - Advanced Dancers love foundation classes -- Why?
Because the Foundation is your bridge to high level Tango. If you were learning a new language would you jump into the Advanced level class without doing the entry level first? No. Common sense tells you to learn the fundamentals first. Same in Tango. We call this an all-levels class because the foundational elements are a pre-requisite to progressive Tango growth. We encourage dancers of all levels to attend this class. We will provide something for any level in this class. - Tongs and Scissors -in- Parallel and Cross System
Maintaining your structure in tango is what drives the energy of the dance. Knowledge of both systems of walking is vital for creating your dance. We will cover how each system provides opportunities for contrasting actions involving ochos, turns and crosses. The techniques for moving from one system to the other and for changing the structure of the dance as you interchange the energy from one partner to the other. - Foundational Figuras
Left-rock Turn, Media Vuelte, Ocho Cortado -- these, and others, are the foundational figuras that are entrances and exits to more high level figuras and sequences. After this class you will be able to turn to the left and turn to the right using a combination of these steps with different rhythms and beats. Combined with the walk these steps will provide depth and interest to your dance and is essential for good floorcraft and musicality. - Cross System to Ochos
Demonstrate the meaning of Parallel walking and Cross System Walking. Learn to walk in cross sytem on both sides of the embrace and how this system induces ochos. Using a simple sequence of steps we will show how easy and useful ochos can be (and fun, of course). How small, big, deep or shallow can an ocho be...the student in this class will find out. - What Ever Happened to the 8-Step Basic
Most people have heard of the 8-step basic but it isn't always taught in the US as it is in Buenos Aires. We use this foundational basic to show you how it morphs into 8 curving steps that are immediately danceable and more accessible than its linear cousin. In so doing we amplify and strengthen your tango foundation. - 3 Steps to Tango Nirvana
Every figura and pattern consists of a combination of 3 steps. If that is the case, then why do we find figura sequences difficult to learn and execute? Because all we see is the figura. Our minds habitually begin a figura with the end in focus. It is the journey that matters and being wholly present along the length of that journey. Join us as we examine these three steps and demonstrate how vital they are to breaking you away from pattern-tango to improvisational-tango. - Transitioning Embrace – The Dynamic Abrazo The Embrace is not a Static Event. There isn't just ONE Abrazo, but many positions for the dynamic Abrazo! This is a great class to strengthen the ability to transition your dance frame/embrace as needed to move through standard moves in tango. By the end of the class you will understand how to get energy from the floor to lead the follower in a pivot while learning to lead a subtle weight change by using the energy of the foot and spine.
- Ocho Cortado - or- Softening the Angles - Learn the world renowned "ocho cortado" figura while becoming aware of the need for malleability and improvisation. Angularities in the look and feel of your body usually connotes tension and stiffness. It is difficult to correct errors and mistakes if the body is stiff as it dances. We have some fun and fascinating techniques, analogies and metaphors to bring your body into a malleable state so it can easily correct and mold as it moves with your partner through the fun and incredibly lead-able ocho cortado.
- Why we dance to Argentine Tango music from the 30's to 50's! - Journey with us back to a time when live orchestras were active and popular. Back to a time when you chose your milongas based on your favorite orchestra. Let's experience the music morph and evolve over time and discover how the dance affected and was affected by these transitions. Discover why there is still a hugely committed and growing following to this beautiful music and the dance it inspires.
- Intro to Sacadas - Everybody loves sacadas and wants to learn them and yet, quite often, even after many classes, the dancer still finds them tricky and difficult to execute. Sacadas are walking! Yes, you read that correctly. The purpose of this class is to prove to you that if you are executing a good walk sacadas can happen without effort. We will demonstrate and clarify to you a simple 360 degree walk around that includes 3 sacadas. This is a must do class for everyone!
- Barridas and Frenos
Recommend that this class follows the Intro to Sacadas class. Utilizing all the techniques learnt in the Foundational and Sacadas classes we will show you how naturally and organically barridas can happen. We will show you a specific figura that terminates in a freno allowing the follower to develop her gracefulness and musicality. - The Advanced Tango Walk
So your walk is good? 9 Ways of walking with the line of dance in parallel and cross system. Seldom is the class advanced enough to cover all 9 in an hour and a half - no matter how far we get this is a fun and challenging class for the advanced leader and follower. We begin with a brief demonstration of all 9 ways of walking forward. Then we introduce the music a couple of quick walking exercises slowly we start taking the walk to a higher level covering first parallel and then cross system... and to think all we are doing is walking with line the of dance. - Ocho Atras to Enganches - Dancing to the Soft Spot How to dance ochos right where you stand. By the end of the class you will create cleaner and clearer communication between you and your partner(s). You will learn a simple and relaxing figura that will ultimately create a clearer, cleaner connection when dancing at milongas. Depending on class advancement this exercise can easily become a displacement into a rear volcada – but doesn’t have to end anywhere in particular!
- "What Ever Dude!" -or- Being Ready for the Surprises Improvisation Brings - By its very nature improvisation welcomes surprise and yet, by its very nature surprise often causes one to flinch or tighten. We explore the availability of mistake and surprise utilizing exercises and homemade surprises to show both leaders and followers how to be prepared to go where the movement takes them.
- Many Facets of Ocho Cortado - Stimulus, musicality, entrance and exit strategies. Barridas, Gyros, Amagues, Walk Around & Reverse, Repetitions and Reversals coming from both sides. Using ocho cortado as a launching pad for other movements and figuras. Dozens of ending and transitions are available here depending on the level of dancers in the class.
- Body Molding and Shaping - Teaching some fun steps and then rewinding the tape. Steps that can't be done backwards are usually flawed as they move forward or they would be easily rewound. Learning to dance more accurately and aware of the discreet state of ones being as you move through three dimensional space and time means everything in how you convey your movements or interpret the movements of your partner. For instance where was your head dangling as you lead or followed that particular move? Where was your shoulder, the angle of your back, pelvis... etc...?
- Utilizing the Mini-Colgada - Colgadas are typically used to create large expansive spins or reverse moves, however there is ample room for very small colgada like movements that open windows of opportunity in moments of improvisation. This class is designed with exercises and movements to sharpen the response time and the approach to conveying and interpreting smaller colgadas - which are much more usable at crowded milongas.
- Boleo -to lead and to follow- Learn what it takes to lead and execute a boleo softly, musically and with minimum effort. Learn to identify the ladies axis, how to capture it, revolve around it and develop dynamic energy to match the dynamics of the music. Includes circular and linear boleos.
- Leg Wraps and Repetitions- Using techniques from boleos we introduce you to smooth and luscious leg wraps that are effortless and sensuous. Being able to repeat a leg wrap drastically increases the musicality available to your leg wraps.
“Rusty and Jo are rare personalities in the tango scene. Their philosophy of teaching and dancing is inspirationally caring and generous. Tucson is lucky to have such a wonderful couple.” - Michelle and Murat Erdemsel – M&M
Jo and Rusty's workshops focus on connection, embrace, partnering, body awareness and musicality. They emphasize technique and elements with the goal of assisting dancers to develop their individual style and ability to improvise.
Jo and Rusty entered Tango in their late 30's and 40's. Rusty came from a masonry background working out in the field and Jo came from an office environment. They both had physical issues to deal with. Rusty has had a hip re-surfacing and Jo has had a harrington rod attached to her spine since she was 15 years old. They strongly believe that if they can learn to dance tango at an advanced level then most everyone else has the same potential. Because of their individual backgrounds and physiology their teaching skills have been greatly enhanced by personal experience. Their focus is to show that improvisation in Argentine Tango is completely possible. There is a method to breaking away from pattern-oriented Tango to truly improvisational and they can help you to understand this.
Jo and Rusty are also strongly committed to community building and have developed a variety of methods for not only growing a community by attracting new dancers but to also maintain the interest and commitment of the established advanced dancers.
Thank you for all of your advise and critique. I am paying for critique, not compliments. Having taught university for 40 years, all my best students would concur. Unlike the first year learning steps, we do not get tired in your classes even though I play tennis 8-10 a.m. on Thursdays. We really appreciate both of your instructional efforts very much. You both are making tango a joy, which will make us return to Buenos Aires to dance instead of being tourists in a lovely city. Thank you. Richard Ganzel, Tucson
Workshop arrangements:
Jo will happily coordinate the details with you once you contact us.
Private lessons are available.
Email Jo or call: 520-248-4403
Workshop Lesson Ideas : The following are a sample of ideas and concepts. We can adapt all of the following to Vals and Milonga workshops as well customizing classes for specific needs.
Foundations for All Levels
Intermediate Level
Advanced Level
In addition to the above: Advanced Sacadas, Colgadas, Volcadas and more that we can customize to suit your community needs.
We love to teach what you love to learn: Argentine Tango!
Email Jo or call: 520-248-4403
