Hello remarkable heart!
Welcome to my tangoverse.
I am excited to collaborate with you on your own tango journey, witnessing and supporting your unique expression as well as building the future tango community you want to be a part of. My career as a project-based high school educator shaped me to resourcefully design learning experiences, like private lessons and group classes, that integrate interpersonal skills alongside the practical mechanics of dance technique, all while prioritizing community care within the social dance floor/experience . I also support organizers and community members through the process of creating Community Agreements.
Write to me to learn tango, shape community, work together, and buy taygra dance shoes.
UPCOMING TRAVEL for 2024:
> February 2-7, 29 - March 15: Washington, DC Residency - tango classes & private lessons
> April 25-28: NYC - role balancing and studying at Abrazos Tango Festival
> May 1-9: NY Tour includes Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse, Geneva - info here
> May 24-28: Philadelphia, PA - studying at the Philadelphia Tango Festival
> May 31-June 3: Boston, MA - dancing for pleasure at Pinewoods Queer Tango Camp - info here
> July 3-10: Chicago, IL - dancing for pleasure
> July 19-22: Worcester, MA - volunteering & dancing for pleasure at Regalo Tango Marathon
>Oct 4-10: Albuquerque, NM - Classes, private lessons & DJing at Albuquerque Open Tango
>Oct 11-Nov 4: West Coast Tour including SF (Abrazo Queer Tango, Practica La Bruja, Milonga El V, Milonga Malevaje), San Diego (Queer Tango San Diego), & LA (Tango Queer LA)
> Dec 1-14: Roanoake, VA & Durham, NC - classes, private lessons, & DJing
Coming Up in 2025!
write to elly@ellyfernandez.com to add your community to my calendar
> April New England Tour
> May Central/Upstate New York Tour
🏕️Cherry Ridge Tango Camp
📅mid May, August, or September - exact dates TBD
An extended weekend for dancers who...
💞 value dancing both roles & for dancers who desire a supportive environment to explore dancing both roles
💞enjoy being together in nature and on a lake (swimming experience a plus!)
💞 cherish campfire comradery & shared meals made to nourish the body
Cherry Ridge campground is family owned and operated and proudly hosts dance events every weekend throughout the camping season because they have not one but TWO dance halls! Interested in joining?
Stay tuned for s'more info & an interest form coming soon!
(see what I did there? s'more info?)
Learn to Dance
I offer private tango lessons for individuals and couples, and can also help you create wedding choreography for your special day. Let me know what you're interested in learning!
"I have taken group and private lessons with Elly. She has a strong dance background and a great knowledge and love of tango. She also has formal training as an educator, which brings organization and focus to the lessons. Her teaching is infused with enthusiasm and joy. I learned so much and it was a great experience." -- Jon
"Elly did a fantastic job preparing us for our first dance as husband and wife. She took a genuine interest into what makes us groove together and used that as a foundation for our dance. The look on everyone's faces on our wedding day when we tore up the dance floor will always be remembered!" -- Dani & Rob
Sliding scale (not including studio fees, if applicable):
1 hr - $100-130
*Student discounts available*
Community Collaborations
I love facilitating community-building workshops around tango. Please reach out if you'd like help developing programming around Consent Practices, Community Readiness, Community Agreements, or other projects.
"It's not very often that "getting more than one bargained for" is a good thing. Picking Elly to lead the (r)Evolution Tango Workshop for LOCA 2022 has proven to be one of those rare cases. Her diligence, the attention to detail, empathetic leadership and knowledge of equitable community organizing has been a very pleasant experience to witness and such an example to learn from. It's been an absolute privilege to have been working with her and developing a friendship, and looking forward to furthering the collaboration as well as learning more from her." -- James Oh, organizer of Loca Tango Festival