Instructors
Jaimes Friedgen &
Christa Rodriguez
Jaimes Friedgen is one of the most accomplished and influential Tango teachers in the United States. Starting Tango as a teenager in the mid-Nineties, Friedgen studied with many extraordinary dancers and teachers, some of whom are no longer with us. No matter the level, from absolute beginner to professional, Friedgen has a knack for finding the most useful challenges to improve one’s Tango.
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Christa Rodriguez embarked on her tango journey in 2003 in Seattle, where her passion for the dance quickly flourished. Almost immediately, she began assisting in classes, demonstrating her enthusiasm and dedication to the art form. By 2006, Christa had become one of the main instructors at The 8th Style School of Tango, taking on the added responsibility of managing the school, where she nurtured countless dancers in their tango pursuits.
In 2013, Christa took her love for tango on the road, embarking on a transformative tour across Europe and North America, where she taught and performed, sharing her expertise and passion for the dance with diverse audiences.
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In 2016, she settled in the enchanting town of Santa Fe,
where she has since concentrated her efforts on revitalizing the tango scene in there and in neighboring Taos. Her dedication to bringing new dancers into the fold and creating a vibrant tango community continues to thrive, as she welcomes friends and newcomers alike into the captivating world of tango. With her passion and expertise, Christa Rodriguez stands as a beacon of inspiration in the dance community, making her mark one step at a time.
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Read more about their work at www.jaimesfriedgentango.com and www.8thstyletango.com.
Vania Rey
Vania has been a tango teacher since 2002 and DJ since 2008. Her greatest strengths as a teacher and dancer are her versatility and range, gained through years of experience dancing and teaching a wide variety of styles - from Nuevo to Milonguero. By pairing an analytical mind with exceptional kinesthetic sense and strong observation skills, Vania emphasizes fine-tuning the fundamentals, and encourages the sharing of more nuanced communication as a path for deeper connection.
Vania has taught and performed with more than 50 partners - male and female -, and is particularly excited about the opportunity to work with a great professional like Oscar Casas during the Tree City Festival!
Oscar has a distinct style both in his dance and his teaching and is highly respected by the old guard in the milongas of BA. He also is extremely popular with his students, who are impressed by his teaching style. He teaches with energy and humor, emphasizing concepts, specializing in improvisation always interpreting the music and respecting the character of the different orchestras. He is especially interested in the dynamics and cadencia of the dance. Everything he teaches is applicable to crowded milongas.
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A man of many talents, Oscar is also an accomplished painter. You can view his works here: https://www.oscarcasas.art/
Oscar Casas
Oscar Casas, a renowned and highly respected milonguero and teacher in Buenos Aires, was immersed in the world of tango at a very young age, observing his parents, who were avid tango dancers, and experiencing the popular milongas they organized in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Growing up in this rich environment gave Oscar the background and “tango base” from which he developed his own unique style.
