general info
Class Details
We designed the schedule of classes to represent the diverse teaching and dancing styles of our renowned instructors. We want this offering to cater to your learning needs. For a positive experience, please evaluate your own dancing, and adhere to the level guidelines when choosing classes.
- Classes are 75 minutes long.
limited class sizes
The number of participants in each class will be LIMITED.
At registration we will ask you to choose the role you prefer; this information will help us ensure role balance.
After registration and closer to the Festival dates we will ask you to choose the classes you would like to attend.
Classes do fill up early, so we encourage you to register as early as possible to avoid missing out on enrolling in a class you want to take.
Level guidelines
- All levels / beginners: Classes for beginners and advanced dancers alike. Many classes will focus on individual movement and technique, body awareness, musicality and deep fundamentals.
- Intermediate: You are familiar with fundamental tango vocabulary and comfortable leading/following patterns. These classes will challenge you to develop new combinations and gain confidence in creating dynamic steps.
- Advanced: You are looking to gain targeted training in the class topic to achieve better quality of movement and integrate different steps. You should be comfortable with the topic and ready to dive into the specifics of technique and execution.
- Advanced Couples: Bring a partner and challenge yourself to dance the signature specialty of our featured instructors. If you feel all too familiar and comfortable in your dancing, this class is for you!
Class locations
A – Oregon Ballroom – Salon FE
B – Salon ABC
C – Salon GH
D – Salon I
schedule of classes
Time Slot |
Time |
[B] |
[C] |
[D] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:15pm – 5:30pm |  |
 |
 |
Maxi Copello & Raquel Makow Essential Sequences for the Dance Floor LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: THU-1-B |
Graziella Pulvirenti & Rino Fraina Vals FundamentalsLEVEL: All Levels CLASS: THU-1-C |
Esteban Moreno & Claudia Codega Tango Salon FundamentalsLEVEL: All Levels CLASS: THU-1-D |
||
| 2 | 5:45pm – 7:00pm |  |
 |
 |
Luciana Valle Grounding, growing and going -The secrets for the right foundation of the walk.LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: THU-2-B |
Felipe Martinez & Ayano Yoneda The structure of tango:basic elements LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: THU-2-C |
Gaston Olguin Between pivot and over pivotDynamics and transitions! LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: THU-2-D |
Time Slot |
Time |
[B] |
[C] |
[D] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00am – 12:15pm | |
|
|
Esteban Moreno & Claudia Codega Challenging sequencesto improve technique & style LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: FRI-1-B |
Felipe Martinez & Ayano Yoneda Parallel vs cross systemLEVEL: All Levels CLASS: FRI-1-C |
Maxi Copello & Raquel Makow Exploring Sacadas LEVEL: Advanced CLASS: FRI-1-D |
||
| 2 | 12:45pm – 2:00pm |  |
 |
|
| Tango Leader Technique LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: FRI-2-B |
Tango Follower Technique LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: FRI-2-C |
Graziella Pulvirenti & Rino Fraina Chains: technique and sequencesLEVEL: Advanced CLASS: FRI-2-D |
||
| 3 | 2:15pm – 3:30pm | |
|
|
Esteban Moreno & Claudia Codega Smooth as Silk:Tango with Fluidity, Elegance and Flow LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: FRI-3-B |
Graziella Pulvirenti & Rino Fraina Managing your dancein a crowded floor LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: FRI-3-C |
Felipe Martinez & Ayano Yoneda “Cadencia”: swingand quality of movement LEVEL: Advanced CLASS: FRI-3-D |
Time Slot |
Time |
[B] |
[C] |
[D] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00am – 12:15pm | |
|
|
Esteban Moreno & Claudia Codega Walk, change of directions connectionLEVEL: All Levels CLASS: SAT-1-B |
Luciana Valle Back sacadas for leaders and followersLEVEL: Advanced CLASS: SAT-1-C |
Maxi Copello & Raquel Makow Nice vals combinations LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SAT-1-D |
||
| 2 | 12:45pm – 2:00pm | |
|
|
Maxi Copello & Raquel Makow Our Favorite Giro LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: SAT-2-B |
Esteban Moreno & Claudia Codega Rhythmical social tango:combinationswith sharp rhythmical movements LEVEL: Advanced CLASS: SAT-2-C |
Graziella Pulvirenti & Rino Fraina Milonga:let’s go inside to the music LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SAT-2-D |
||
| 3 | 2:15pm – 3:30pm | |
|
|
Maxi Copello & Raquel Makow Old School Movements LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SAT-3-B |
Felipe Martinez & Ayano Yoneda Dynamic embrace andchallenging sequences. LEVEL: Advanced CLASS: SAT-3-C |
Luciana Valle Pivots & Spirals:From Ochos to Planeos LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SAT-3-D |
Time Slot |
Time |
[A] |
[B] |
[C] |
[D] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00am – 12:15pm | |
|
|
|
Graziella Pulvirenti & Rino Fraina Gancho andits technique LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SUN-1-A |
Luciana Valle Musicality: beyond the basic rhythm,Spicing up your dance LEVEL: Advanced CLASS: SUN-1-B |
Maxi Copello & Raquel Makow Extreme Sequences LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SUN-1-C |
Felipe Martinez & Ayano Yoneda The social dance:the flow of the “tribe” LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SUN-1-D |
||
| 2 | 12:45pm – 2:00pm | |
|
|
|
Felipe Martinez & Ayano Yoneda Turns:structure, technique and timing. LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SUN-2-A |
Esteban Moreno & Claudia Codega Milonga traspiés, accelerations, hip swing, and body disassociationLEVEL: Advanced CLASS: SUN-2-B |
Gaston Olguin “Embracing both roles”Quality of movement for a clear connection LEVEL: All Levels CLASS: SUN-2-C |
Luciana Valle Circular boleos:mechanics, technique & dynamics LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SUN-2-D |
||
| 3 | 2:15pm – 3:30pm | |
|
|
|
| Esteban Moreno & Claudia Codega Vals, rhythm, fluidity,nice steps for social dancing LEVEL:Intermediate CLASS: SUN-3-A |
Graziella Pulvirenti & Rino Fraina Leg wrapsfor the dance floor LEVEL: Advanced CLASS: SUN-3-B |
Felipe Martinez & Ayano Yoneda Embrace technique:alignment and intention LEVEL: Intermediate CLASS: SUN-3-C |
Maxi Copello & Raquel Makow Complex Sequences LEVEL: Advanced CLASS: SUN-3-D |
Our Guest Teachers
Graziella Pulvirenti
& Rino Fraina
Great young couple! Graziella and Rino, from Catania Italy, are back to PTF. They bring precision and lightness to their way of dancing and of teaching tango.
Luciana Valle
Luciana Valle is both an expert leader and follower, and has won widespread recognition as one of the best female teachers. She teaches with fantastic energy and exuberance, has a wonderful eye for detail, and uses descriptive movement images, making complex actions accessible.
Esteban Moreno &
Claudia Codega
Dancers with a great stage presence, recognized worldwide as teachers and choreographers, they are part of the tradition of Argentine tango and are, at the same time, bearers of innovation.
Felipe Martinez &
Ayano Yoneda
Felipe & Ayano came together in the tango scene of the San Francisco Bay Area, and embody the global nature of tango, traveling full-time throughout North America, Europe, South America, and Asia to teach, DJ, and lecture about the music.
Maxi Copello &
Raquel Makow
Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, Maxi Copello and Raquel Makow cannot come to the Portland TangoFest.
Gaston Olguin
Gastón Olguín is a very talented teacher and tango dancer. Through his ballet training he was exposed to rigorous dance techniques which helped him develop his current method of teaching tango.
Register Early, Classes Fill up fast.
Secure your spot in advance