Dance Hosts!!! Yes!! Of course!!

We want our lady dancers to have happy feet. Check out the backgrounds of our Hosts. Tango at Sea wants to see you on board to enjoy the fun!!

OZ 
Dance Host

I love Argentine Tango so much that I dance nothing else but Argentine Tango, it is my specialty and passion. My love for Argentine Tango started when I was listening to Bahia Blanca by Carlos Di Sarli. The music drew me in. It touches and moves my soul and then my body.

My first Milonga was in Buenos Aires in 2007. It was an exciting, nerve-shattering, fun and challenging event for me. But, it really helped my Tango. I continue to improve every element of my Tango by taking lessons everywhere, and by practicing my lessons at home, studios and going to milongas. I dance to please my partner and to make it as safe, fun and exciting as I can for her. I "custom design" my choreography to suit my partner's style, abilities and expressions while maintaining a close awareness of the inspiring music and the floor movement.

I am currently assisting one of the best "maestros" from Argentina in the San Francisco Bay Area with his Argentine Tango workshops. I enjoy playing squash, tennis, paddle tennis and working out, and currently reside in Northern California where there is a large Argentine Tango community which continues to grow every day.

Meet OZ on Caribbean Argentine Tango and Swing

JOHN GRASSO 
Dance Host

I was born in New York, and have lived most of my life in Southern New England. I reside in the beautiful state of Connecticut. Most of my life has been spent playing music and dancing, though I never formalized my dancing. Then in 1996, after having raised my children and finding myself free to fulfill my own desires, I began to study Argentine Tango.

In the years that followed, I began to walk my miles, master the basics, and developing my musicality. The Tango Bug had bit me soundly, and I have never been the same since. The first time I truly danced close embraced, I was so inspired, I wrote a poem about my experience. I've danced Tango in sneakers, in socks, on concrete, in the rain, in the morning, afternoon, and, of course, at night. I've run my own Milonga. Have taken a million classes. Viewed a million videos, and after all this collective experience, plus divine inspiration, I strive to make my Tango, Simple, yet, Elegant.

JAIME SOLANO 
Dance Host

I have been a Maryland resident since my fourteenth birthday, after emigrating from Colombia, South America.

I studied dancing after raising my family, beginning with line dancing, country dancing and some ballroom. I became comfortable with West coast and Hustle. While dabbling in Argentine Tango, I realized the extreme difficulty in mastering Tango. I would go back to what was comfortable and demonstrated my mastery for dance while placing at the West Coast Boston Tea Party, Swing Fling Competitions, U.S. Open Swing Championships, Disco America, and International Hustle and Salsa competitions.

Over the past two years I have concentrated my efforts on Argentine Tango exclusively. While studying with visiting instructors from Buenos Aires, Argentina, I have found my own style.

In February and March, 2008, I tested my new skills while visiting Buenos Aires. I took private classes in the morning and danced in the usual afternoon Milongas where the lessons could be applied. During the late hour of the night I refined my newly found skills.

The influence of my instructors and the feedback of my many followers have enabled me to have a lead that is clear and succinct while retaining the creative interpretation of the music. While continuing with lessons, I strive to increase my dance vocabulary — seeing the music in the dancer is what makes a gooood dancer!!

I also enjoy outdoor sports like bicycling, hiking, and kayaking. My girlfriend, a certified skipper, has recently rekindled my former interest in sailing, both for leisure and in competitive racing.

HANK MALES 
Dance Host

My education as a dancer began twenty years ago. At that time I started taking ballroom classes that included what are called smooth and Latin dances. I enjoyed them all, in particular swing, hustle, cha-cha and samba. One of the dances that I wasn't overly enthusiastic about was called American Tango. I enjoyed the music, particularly the dramatic tone, though it wasn’t jerky like international Tango, it lacked much complexity and all the figures ended on the eighth beat. There were no pauses or other ways to play with the timing. At that time I wasn't even aware that there was an original Argentine Tango.

In 1993 my former ballroom teacher took a few of us to a club/studio in Bethesda for a lesson in the Argentine style of Tango. It was given by Bette Runge whom I did not know but is generally given credit for bringing Tango Argentino to the Washington area. I can't say that I was totally captivated by it at that time and neither can I explain how the music and dance made me return to it (could be a memory issue). But with periods of disinterest, return to it I did again and again, always at Bette's place. About five years after this pattern began, something changed. Bette brought in a new teacher and I found a partner. Those two events helped to cement my interest, and shortly thereafter, a passion for the dance that endures to this day.

In 2000 I went to CITA in Buenos Aires and it was a magical experience. There is a lot of romance in that city and the old halls where the Milongas were held dripped with character. Also, the older milongueros made it seem as if you were walking back into history. Four years later, I returned to Buenos Aires and took classes with milongueros and teachers of Nuevo and Salon styles.

With me, if my partner desires, she determines a close or open embrace. If a preference is not indicated and depending on our energy, chemistry and the music offered within the dance, I will sometimes alternate the open and close embrace within one song. Occasionally I get carried away with the music and the dance, but most of the time I want all the feedback my partner is offering as we dance.

Lastly, I must mention the bandoneon. I feel it is possibly the best gift that Argentine Tango music has ever received—if you have a chance to listen to Diana's friend, Daniel Diaz, play this lovely instrument in person, do not pass it up!! Tip: when you go to hear Daniel play, sit close to watch his fingers and the bandoneon and, as you listen, see if the hair on your arms stands on end, like mine did!!