Jean-Pierre Sighé
Jean-Pierre Sighé of West Central Africa’s Cameroon nation grew up in a cultural environment where dancing was part of normal living. Equipped with his African dancing background, he later discovered the Latin dances and immediately felt their appeal. Living in Europe, he delighted in Salsa. In the U.S. he pursued his passion for Salsa dancing and decided to further explore Latin dances, such as Rumba and Cha-Cha in the
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Ballroom context. In 1998, he was invited to discover the Argentine Tango. He intensely and exclusively studied with his first teacher s Alberto Paz and his partner Valorie Hart for several months.
Solidly grounded by Alberto and Valorie's instructions, he later intensified his learning with other Tango Masters, such as Carlos Gavito (and Marcela), Fabian Salas, Chicho (Frumboli), Julio (and Corina); and occasional classes with Eduardo and Gloria, Fernanda and Guillermo, El Indio, Todd and Marizabel. Jean-Pierre has been dancing Tango since 1998 and believes everyone of these Tango Masters opened an enriching window in his mind. Another Tango Master who has enriched Jean-Pierre’s experience is Facundo Posadas who generously shared his knowledge and extended his friendship.
Jean-Pierre is a founding member of A.R.T.S. (Afro Roots in Tango Society). The group was created under the active inspiration of Facundo Posadas, the living Tango Master from Argentina. A.R.T.S. is dedicated to spreading the little known information about the Afro roots in Argentine Tango, dating all the way back from the Candombe of the African slaves and their descendents.
His motivation for teaching Tango derives from his desire to share with others the beauty of this wonderful gift to the world from the Argentinean people. He does not want to simply teach a set of steps following some futile pattern. Jean-Pierre desires to faithfully transmit to others what he has had the privilege to receive directly from the Tango Masters - the spirit of Tango.
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Rotating Assisting Teaching Partners
We are here innovating in a new formula where Jean-Pierre will be partnering with more than one talented dancers in their role of Assistant Instructors.
The "Assistant" in front of the "Instructor" should not mislead anyone as these Ladies do have a deeper understanding of Tango and qualify for helping with the instruction of the Dance and the spirit of Tango.
They will be rotating in a way that will insure their continuous presence. Please, check the Tango calendar to know who is on schedule.
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Tanya Leake
Tanya has studied various styles of dance since the age of 6, including various styles of West African, modern, jazz, Brazilian, Latin dance. She believes music, dance and body movement are at the core of feminine balance. As a Zumba instructor and performer with the Brazilian performing group Fogo Na Ropa, every class, Tanya observes firsthand women having fun, enjoying themselves and re/appreciating their bodies through dance. "Sensual Fitness Fusion" emphasizes the fun and benefits of Zumba movements focused on the feminine torso and hips. Just like a party, you'll feel the positive energy that comes from and is shared with others who are having fun just like you! There is no dance experience required, just your desire to dance, feel sexy and have fun!
Tanya has intensively studied Tango with Jean-Pierre since February 2011. Already a Natural dancer, she is now an inspiration to the students who come to study at Tango Magdalena.
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Irina Goudkoff
Born in the Republic of Georgia , raised in Ukraine and Poland, Irina has always enjoyed music and dancing . Back home in middle and high schools had been taking piano lessons for 5 years and danced European Folk dances.
Here in U.S. a joyful world of Swing had been opened up for Irina in City College of San Francisco: East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop. Some Jazz and Belly Dance classes helped to become a better dancer, and only Tango had changed her life since the year of 2004.
Tango is not just a dance for Irina. It is a life style. She took a lot of classes and workshops from Argentinean (Fabien Salas, Jorje Torres, Eduardo Saucedo, Cecilia Gonzales, Natalia Hill, Diego Lanau) and local teachers ( Chelsea Ng, Nora, Lisette Parelle). Had been twice in Argentina exploring Tango in Buenos Aires and visiting beautiful places like Iguazu Falls and Ushuaia , the End of the World. Tango and trips to Argentina encouraged her to start learning the Spanish language.
Knowing from her own experience, how hard it might be to learn Tango, she is happy to be a teacher’s assistant and help in any possible way.
‘’While dancing Tango nothing matters. Returning home from Milonga Tango music is reverberating in my heart and I know the moments of absolute happiness do exist in this complicated world. It will be easier tomorrow to go through a daily routine at my job as a Program Coordinator.” |
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