Double role tango training camp: music!

Basics of dancing to tango music, Saturday-Sunday 16–17 January

This course is designed for anyone who dances or practices Argentine tango in both roles. Participation requires basic skills—either as a leader or a follower—along with some experience practicing the opposite role. You might as well be an experienced double role dancer, or perhaps a tanguera / tanguero who is experienced in one role and expanding your skills in the other role.

Our teachers will be Jaana Hänninen and Saana Kalliokoski. We start with the basics, so those new to tango are very welcome. For more experienced dancers the course offers a deeper understanding of the music, new insights and an opportunity to expand their personal expression.

The focus of this course is in a music-centered approach to dancing. We will explore in practice what it means to dance to music made by orchestras representing different styles and eras. You will gain greater confidence in your dancing and discover how music supports, sustains, and inspires the dancer—both in leading and following role.

Our practices will focus on simple movement elements, such as salida, ocho cortado, medio giro and ochos. More experienced dancers will get new ideas about how to combine and vary these elements—as far as their sense of experimentation takes them—while those with less experience can choose to stick to the fundamental patterns.

We will also practice dancing all music styles of the tango family, which includes not only tango itself, but also vals and milonga. While the movement vocabulary for vals and tango is largely shared, dancing vals musically requires a greater emphasis on moving forward and rotational movements compared to dancing tango. Milonga is more straightforward in style and typically quite fast-paced. Dancing milonga requires a slightly different technique and movement vocabulary.

At the classes we actively rotate both partners and roles. Therefore you do not need to bring a partner! 

Optional: Listening to Argentine tango music, Friday 15 January

The tango training weekend is preceded on Friday evening by an optional session focused on listening the music, specifically tailored for Argentine tango dancers.

Guided by Jaana Hänninen, we will explore the fundamentals of Argentine tango dance music. We will listen to some of the most significant orchestras representing various styles and eras, as well as the different genres within the tango family—tango, tango vals and milonga—followed by a discussion about what we have heard.

The session includes both theory and practical exercises (such as identifying rhythms and matching steps to the music). It lasts for three hours and includes a 10–15 minute break.

Registration for the Friday session is only available in conjunction with the Saturday–Sunday course; it cannot be booked separately. The Friday session will take place provided that at least 10 participants sign up.

Teachers

Our musical teacher expert will be Jaana Hänninen. Jaana has extensive experience in dancing and teaching tango as well as working as a tango DJ. She has explored the history and various styles of tango music in depth, including through her visits to Buenos Aires. Jaana is particularly interested in music-driven dancing, strong connection between partners and natural movement.

Saana Kalliokoski joins Jaana as a co-teacher. Saana is an experienced dancer in both roles, as well as a teacher of Alexander Technique. She also teaches Argentine tango—both in her own classes and as an assistant to other instructors. Saana’s core focus and area of ​​expertise lie in the natural quality of movement, the connection between dance partners, communication and presence. She believes that dancing does not need to be serious, and that everything can be approached with ease—even things that might appear difficult.

Schedule

Friday – Listening to tango music

16–18 arrival, accommodation (the kitchen in the accommodation building is available to use)

18–21   workshop: listening to music + excercises

21–00  evening snack, free dancing and socialising

Saturday – Double role tango camp: dancing to the music

9–10   breakfast (for those with accommodation) 10–10.40 bodyworks

10.45–12.30   workshop
                                                                   

12.30–13.30   lunch

14–15.15   workshop 
                                                                  

15.15–15.45   coffee

15.45–17.15   guided practica 17.30–18.30   dinner


17–20   lakeside sauna (shifts as needed)

20– 00   practilonga, evening snack

Sunday – Double role tango camp: dancing to the music

9–10   breakfast (for those with accommodation)


10–10.40   bodyworks 10.45–12.30   workshop                                                                      

12.30–13.30   lunch


14–15.15   workshop
                                                                   

15.15–17   practilonga, coffee and goodbyes

Price

Friday xx € – Listening to tango music (optional)

Saturday-Sunday xx € – Double role tango training camp

The price includes all teaching, meals, lakeside sauna and practilongas.

Accommodation

If you want to stay overnight at STEP, you may choose:

+ 20 € accommodation Sat-Sun in a shared twin room (price for one person)

+ 30/40 € accommodation Sat-Sun in a single room

+ 40 € accommodation Fri-Sun in a shared twin room (price for one person)

+ 60/80 € accommodation Fri-Sun in a single room

Accommodation includes breakfast.

+ 20 € sheets and towels or you may bring your own.

The course is paid when registering. Cancellation and full refund unti 1.1.2027

Venue 

STEP Education, Järvenpääntie 640, Järvenpää, space: Amerikanhalli


There is plenty of free parking space and charging stations for e-cars. For caravans and mobile homes there are a few spots with electricity, located close to the road (35€ per night).

Public transport: local R-trains bring you from Helsinki to Ainola train stop or Järvenpää train station. From Ainola it's 1,3 km walk and from Järvenpää it's 6 minutes ride with the local bus 665. The bus runs only once an hour so please check the schedules: https://www.hsl.fi/en (from the stop 'Järvenpään asema' to the bus stop 'Ainola, Ainolankatu 1')

The last day to register:

1.1.2027

The course needs a certain amount of participants for being organized. There's a limited amount of spots so please register as early as possible!

We reserve the right to minor changes.

More info (registration, accommodation, meals, payments):

STEP Education Co-ordinator

Katja Forsström

katja.forsstrom@step.fi

+358404877499

In co-operation (course content):

Amigos del Tango Double role group

www.tango.fi/doublerole

doublerole@tango.fi