Hello remarkable heart!
Welcome to my tangoverse! I am excited to collaborate with you on your own tango journey. As a previous innovative high school educator, I am passionate about designing private lessons and group classes that integrate social-emotional skills while prioritizing "real tango world" learning alongside the practical mechanics of dance technique. I also facilitate workshops and support organizers to build whole-community growth and learning.
UPCOMING TRAVEL for 2022:
> February 11 - 14: Berkeley, CA - tango classes & private lessons at Abrazo Queer Tango - register here - intermediate class SOLD OUT
> March 5-6: Washington D.C. - tango classes with Marcelo Gutierrez - register here
> March 19: NYC - attending & supporting La Nuestra Milonga - info here
> April 8-10: Portland, Maine - studying milonguero with Monica Paz - info here
> April 15-17: Albany, NY - guiding open role practica at a private event with Melina Mistral
> May 1st: Germantown, MD - Teaching Boundaries & Connections Tango Workshop with Marcelo Gutierrez as part of Mind Body Wonders Conference - info here
> May 14th: NYC - continued education/learning from Ines Muzzopappa & Gaby Mataloni, organized by La Nuestra Tango - info here & FB event here
> May 26-30: Boston, MA - (r)Evolution Tango Presents Growing & Evolving Tango Workshop at Loca Festival - info here - SOLD OUT
> June 2nd - 5th: Philadelphia, PA - Safer Spaces Panelist & Safer Space Team Member - info here
> June 10-12th: organizing an small annual camping trip for dancers who value dancing both roles/want to explore both roles in a supportive space & who also love nature, campfire comradery, and shared meals
> June 28th & 29th: Lexington, KY - Class: Milonga for the Social Dancefloor - info here, email elly@ellyfernandez.com to book a private lesson - limited spots available
> June 30 - July 7th: Chicago, IL - dancing for pleasure @ Windy City Tango Festival - info here
> August 5-6: NYC - facilitating Boundaries workshop at La Nuestra Festival - info here
> August 13-15: Washington, D.C. - teaching at Milonga Maleva & private lesson availability
> August 20-21: Berkeley, CA - teaching tango classes & private lessons at Abrazo Queer Tango - info here
> September 12 & 19: Teaching Online classes for ModoTangoBA (Kelly Lettieri & Alejandro Beron) - email modotangoba@gmail.com to subscribe for this month's class series.
> Sept 16-20: Portland, Maine - workshops, guided practica, private lessons - info here
> Sept 23-27: Portland, Maine - management plus some advocacy work - a private event with Jewel Rechsteiner
> Oct 7-8: Columbus, OH - teaching tango classes, guiding practica, and private lessons - info here
> Oct 28: Cleveland, OH - guiding practica - info here
> Oct 29-31: Ann Arbor, MI - dancing for wicked fun @ a private event
> Dec 5th & 12th: Boston, MA - teaching queer tango classes - info here
Coming Up in 2023!
🏕️Cherry Ridge Tango Camp
📅June 8th-12th
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 shared meals made to nourish the body and soul & campfire comradery
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 - $90 - $120
3 hr - $245 - $325
5 hr - $405 - $540
*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