BIENVENIDO and WELCOME
to USNATA! 

USNATA strives to expand the profile, knowledge and participation in Argentine Tango in the United States. Our goal is to maintain a national syllabus based on traditional, authentic Argentine Tango as well as standards and accreditation processes for Professionals (teachers, competitors, judges), Certified Tango Dance Teachers and Amateur Tango Dancers. Argentine Tango deserves more exposure in the US and abroad and therefore we strive to establish competitions and championships upholding the syllabus and membership standards created by USNATA. We seek to maintain a high national standard of Argentine Tango while working closely with international experts from Argentina and other countries.   

  • The USNATA is the leading authority for authentic Argentine Tango, for the organizers and overseers of the Official National and Professional Argentine Tango Championships in the USA during which the U.S. representatives are chosen via championship events for the World Professional Argentine Tango Championships organized by the United Argentine Tango World Federation (UATWF).

  • The USNATA is the sole representative of the USA in the United Argentine Tango World Federation (UATWF).

  • The USNATA is the only national organization offering teacher certification in authentic Argentine Tango based on syllabi developed to reflect the standards and criteria recognized and accepted by the international Argentine tango industry leadership.

  • The USNATA represents all aspects of the authentic Argentine Tango dance industry and profession – certified teachers, social dance instruction and instructors, competitive dance instruction and instructors, and national and world class coaching.

  • The USNATA sanctions major, Professional, Amateur authentic and Pro-Am Argentine Tango competitions and championships in all levels, Tango styles and all age categories.

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT 

The United States National Argentine Tango Association strives to:

 

 

 

  • Encourage and expand the profile, knowledge and participation in Argentine Tango in the United States

  • Establish and maintain standards and accreditation processes for Professionals including judges, competitors and teachers

  • Establish and maintain a membership of Professionals, Certified Tango Dance Teachers and Amateur Tango Dancers

  • Establish and maintain championship and competitive events upholding the syllabus and membership standards of the organization

  • Develop and promote a national syllabus based on traditional Argentine Tango with specific codified technique and steps

  • Accredit, sponsor and welcome international experts as available for their insights and expertise

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 
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GUSTAVO RUSSO
Gustavo Russo started his career as a professional dancer in Juan Carlos Copes’ 1988 show “Tango Tango”. In 1989 he starred in the main role of the show “Solo Tango”, by the director Eduardo Rodríguez Lozano. Simultaneously, he worked for the most important “Tango Houses” in Buenos Aires: Taconeando, La Ventana, El Aristócrata, La Veda, Che Bandoneón, L´Époque, Michelángelo and Señor Tango among others. During this period and until 1993, he also performed as a dancer in the presentations that accompanied the performances of many well known Tango orchestras, such as those directed by J.Colángelo, J.Plaza, O.Berlingieri, J.Basso, J.Dragone, M.Mores and the Sexteto Mayor. In 1990 he took part in the “Argentina Tango Show” and in 1991, danced in the “Viva Tango” show by Mariano Moreno and his orchestra, with which he later toured the United States of America and Mexico. In that same year, together with his dance partner of the moment, they participated regularly as solo artists in a famous television program “Grandes Valores del Tango”, where he also displayed his skills as a choreographer. From 1990 to 1992, he was part of the cast of Claudia Mores and Rolando Luque’s show, with which received the “Estelares del Mar” Award for Best Tango Show. In 1992, he joined and later became the star of “Tango Pasión”. He formed part of the original cast of this show, and continued dancing in it until 1999. In 1994 he participated in the popular French film “Maigret se trompé. In 1995 he was commissioned from Paris to take part in a show called “Paris, New York, Buenos Aires”. The same French production group specifically requested his participation once again in 1998 and 1999 as a guest dancer and choreographer for the 2nd and 3rd Tango Festival of Paris. In 2004 he was presented as the star of that same Festival, together with his present partner, the talented dancer Samantha García. This extraordinary dancer is also the world-renowned tango choreographer for his innovative concept of Tango as a show, his creativity in language of tango dance and his indisputable quality as an Artist.


SAMANTHA GARCIA

Samantha Garcia trained as a classical dancer, she began her professional career in 1991 debuting as an actress and dancer in the Theater. At the early age of 14, as a Tango dancer she represented Argentina in the 1st International Festival of Latin American Dance held in Colombia in 1992. In 1994, she joined the Tango company "El Firulete" in Spain. In 1997 she participated in the 10th Festival and World Summit of Tango in Granada, at the World Summit of Tango in Lisbon and in 2004 at the Tango Festival in Paris. Thanks to being a multifaceted artist, between 1996 and 2002 she joined several jazz dance companies, street-modern jazz, and contemporary dances under the direction of excellent choreographers, touring Spain, Germany, France, Tunisia and Portugal.She has participated as a dancer and actress, in the recreation of various musicals also for television (Los miserables, Cats, Sweet Charity, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Super Star, etc.) In 2003 she returned to Tango from the hand of Gustavo Russo to join the cast of Tango Seducción as the first principal dancer. Since 2010, she has accompanied 90-year-old Alejandro Filardi in his classes and exhibitions, one of the most respected exponents of traditional tango. In 2014 she appeared as choreographer and artistic director of the new production of Gustavo Russo Tango Revolution, a show with which they toured Europe since then.

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CARLOS STASI 

Coming soon. 


FABIAN SALAS

Fabian Salas & Lola Diaz are a couple steeped in tradition but always paving the way to new heights in Tango. Fabian Salas was cofounder of The Investigation Group (later transformed into the Cosmotango organization) along with Gustavo Naveira where they applied the principles of dance kinesiology from modern dance to analyze the physics of movement in Argentine tango. A successful concept and form used today. He has created a successful brand of instructional videos to teach authentic Tango continues to explore the possibilities of movement, shape and music. Together with his beautiful wife and partner Lola Diaz they organize the longest tango festival in history CITA (Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino). CITA is recognized by professionals as one of the world's largest and most important annual festivals (since 1999) which gathers an array of tango lovers, practioners and artists that most represent Argentine Tango and his diversity. Also in March 2018, Fabian and Lola organized the world first award show in the field of Tango, Premios Tango, recognizing tango’s artists of the past, present and future.


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LOLA DIAZ

Fabian Salas & Lola Diaz are a couple steeped in tradition but always paving the way to new heights in tnago. Fabian Salas was cofounder of The Investigation Group (later transformed into the Cosmotango organization) along with Gustavo Naveira where they applied the principles of dance kinesiology from modern dance to analyze the physics of movement in Argentine tango. A successful concept and form used today. He has created a successful brand of instructional videos to teach authentic Tango continues to explore the possibilities of movement, shape and music. Together with his beautiful wife and partner Lola Diaz they organize the longest tango festival in history CITA (Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino). CITA is recognized by professionals as one of the world's largest and most important annual festivals (since 1999) which gathers an array of tango lovers, practioners and artists that most represent Argentine Tango and his diversity. Also in March 2018, Fabian and Lola organized the world first award show in the field of tango, Premios Tango, recognizing tango’s artists of the past, present and future.


MARCOS QUESTAS 

Marcos Questas, born and raised in Buenos Aires, and Ruta Maria, of Lithuanian / American heritage, have dedicated their life and passion to the art, education and preservation of Argentine Tango. Marcos, having danced since the young age of 6, learned his first tango steps from his grandfather - a true milonguero himself. Now a third generation dancer of tango, he has had an astounding career performing on the stage of famed tango houses El Viejo Almacen, Argentina Tango & Pampa, the national tango TV show Grandes Valores del Tango and was on full staff of Argentina's Presidential Committee of Entertainment performing for official presidential events and dignitaries visiting Buenos Aires. Additionally, he has also performed on stage with opera singer Julia Mignes and has producied the Las Vegas Tango Festival from 2000-2005, Tango Project I and II, LA TangoProject and  choreographed for the Latin Grammys. Now expanding his passion into directing other concepts, films and mediums Marcos can be found creating and leading companies and productions onto a new artistic path.


RUTA MARIA 

Ruta Maria, a distinguished dancer in the dance world, “literally fell" into classical ballet, graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy, she is more graceful on the floor these days, having danced and choreographed for many renowned companies as a principle dancer including: Nevada Ballet Theater, Bolshoi's 1st International Exchange, Jacksonville Ballet, Ballet West and Cirque du Soleil's Mystere. Tango entered her life and has been her only focus since. Developing into a tango artist, and an instructor, has been an rewarding and she continues to teach and spread this art with technical precision and delight. She has performed and instructed at the TangoMundo Festival, The Boulder Tango Festival, Las Vegas Tango Experience, Argentine Tango USA Championship, CITA Festival in Buenos Aires and co-produces events for dancers to enjoy. Together, Marcos and Ruta share a passion, drive and humor all to their own. They enjoy seeing their students dance and together continue looking for innovative ways to share, express, teach and touch people through this form. Creating the Q Method of learning Tango, is the culmination of years of refining how to teach the rich Argentine Tango via natural movement, while honoring the deeply-rooted origins and soft essence of Tango. Maestro Marcos Questas and Ruta Maria respect Tango's rich history while implementing the ever-evolving dance's new techniques. Blending their knowledge of over 30 years of Tango, its music and culture, their method unifies and guides a dancer's journey in this soulful dance.


JULIO BALMACEDO

Coming from different backgrounds, Julio and Virginia started to dance together in 2015. Together, they have have created a unique style recognized for their interpretation of the music and their dynamic. They combine elegance with technique, elasticity with strength, to create the perfect ingredients for beautiful, passionate and talented tango. They work together all over the world teaching, performing. They are members of the jury of the most important Tango championships and Mundial de Tango in Argentina, Europe, Asia and the USA. Julio started his Tango career with his father, the well known master Miguel Balmaceda in 1988. He is considered one of the most important teachers around the world due to his unique style and pedagogy. Currently, he travels the world to perform and to teach in the most important festivals and venues. In 1998 he performed in Broadway with "Forever Tango", whose staff was nominated for the Tony Awards for the best choreography. He also performed at The Carnegie Hall, in a tribute to Astor Piazzolla together with Pablo Ziegler, Paquito de Rivera and Gary Burton. In 2008 he choreographed his own show "Corazon a Corazon" in Tarbes, France. During 2011, he performed and choreographed the musical "Tita, Una Vida en Tiempo de Tango” directed By Nacha Guevara in a prestigious theater of Buenos Aires and he was nominated by the ACE Award as the best choreographer of the musical. In 2013, he participated in the show “Tango Tranzas” in Sydney, Australia. He is also a judge member of the Mundial de Tango in Buenos Aires and Argentina since the beginning of it.


Chairman of the Board - jevgeni davidov

JEVGENI DAVIDOV - Chairman of the Board 

coming soon



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KSENIA JUNG

 

Ksenia is the co-founder of Hudson Dance Studios, located in Edgewater, New Jersey, USA. She has been involved in Argentine Tango for many years hosting Maestros from all over the world and organizing Tango festivals and competitions. Originally from Russia and Germany, she holds a Master's degree in Political Science, History, and French.  

 

 


VIRGINIA VASCONI 

Virginia took her first dance steps in her mother's gym at the age of five and later she studied classical ballet and artistic gymnastics. She graduated as an English Translator at the Faculty of Languages in the Province of Cordoba. She is a Jazz dance teacher, proficient in Latin rhythms, stretching, classical ballet and contemporary dance. She moved to Buenos Aires in 2008 and immediately became a member of the DNI Dance Company and School until 2015. She has performed in the most prestigious Milongas and Theaters of Buenos Aires. She has been performing and teaching in international festivals around Europe, Canada and USA and Asia. In 2015, she created, along with Julio Balmaceda, the show “Tango, a Society of Two”, presented in ST. Petersburg, Russia. Currently, she continues her training in yoga, modern dance, stretching, ballet, and theater in order to enhance her skills as a tango dancer, teacher and performer.

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HELENA FERNANDEZ VILLAGRA 

A classical dancer since she was 3 years old, Helena graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance in Londres (2000). Although she has experience in many styles of dance (classic ballet, jazz, ballroom dance, samba, flamenco), Helena became an international dancer and choreographer of Tango after 10 years of dedication to this style (since 2004). Helena has participated in many televisions programs in Rede Globo de Televisão and mounted choreographies for renowned actors and actresses Cristiane Torloni in Dança dos Famosos, Paulo César Grande, Louise Cardoso. Her international career, she danced in important theaters (London: Leicester Square Theatre, Korea: Lotte World Theater, Brazil: Teatro dos 4, Liceu de Artes e Oficios etc) and milongas (Buenos Aires: Confeitaria Ideal, La Marshal, Gricel etc). Was sworn in competitions in Brazil  (Festival Nacional de Dança – Brasil; Belém do Pará em 2009 e 2010). Amongst other activities, she currently performs tounes, shows, and teaches workshops and classes of Tango and Latin rhythms in Brazil, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Together, they form one of the most prestigious Argentine tango dance couples for their artistic versatility that allows them to interpret the most diverse styles, from tango salon, fantasy and traditional to the most modern and innovative.


CLAUDIO VILLAGRA 

Claudio Villagra took his first steps at an early age, and his roots having come from his grandfather, Hector Contreras, who was his mentor in the early stages of his Tango training.  He then followed teachings by Juan Aurelio, Juan Carlos Copes, Virulazo, Antonio Todaro, Pepito Avellaneda, Gloria and Eduardo, Dinzel, N. Guichanduc; world-famous recognised Maestros who contributed extensively to his training. After dancing in various tango shows in Buenos Aires, such as CASABLANCA, LA VENTANA, Michelangelo and El QUERANDI, he began his International career abroad.  Claudio has been through several important stages in the world like Walter Kerr and Marquis on Broadway New York, staying in for 2 years, Olympia in Paris, Teatro Colon, Luna Park, Astral and Cervantes in Buenos Aires, National Auditorium and Fine Arts Teatro in Mexico. Claudio has worked with the most famous and recognised Tango orchestras like Osvaldo Pugliese, Mariano Mores, Sexteto Sur, El Arranque, Sexteto Mayor, Color Tango amongst others. His talent has earned him roles in the most renowned international stages in Broadway, Europe, Asia and America in shows alongside major companies as Tanguera, Tango Seduccion, Tango Argentino and Forever Tango, the latter being in the graphic image of the show. 

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JOE CORBATA

Lucila Cionci and Rodrigo "Joe" Corbata founded in 2007, "Formula Tango", the union of years of experience in individual events and festivals. Surprising is the great plasticity and expressiveness of their dance that presents innovative choreographic elements and a particular and personal way to improvise. They focus on energies, musicality and creativity on the floor in a space that is intimate and widely seductive. Watching them on the floor is like watching an artist brush his paint across the canvas, they are impeccable and harmonious. Together they travel and teach in the most prominent festivals including Argentina, Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Turkey, Holand, Ukraine, Spain, Korea, South Africa, Russia Canada and the US. They are passionate in their teaching and philosophical and transmit their energy into their students.


LUCILA CIONCI

Lucila Cionci and Rodrigo "Joe" Corbata founded in 2007, "Formula Tango", the union of years of experience in individual events and festivals. Surprising is the great plasticity and expressiveness of their dance that presents innovative choreographic elements and a particular and personal way to improvise. They focus on energies, musicality and creativity on the floor in a space that is intimate and widely seductive. Watching them on the floor is like watching an artist brush his paint across the canvas, they are impeccable and harmonious. Together they travel and teach in the most prominent festivals including Argentina, Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Turkey, Holand, Ukraine, Spain, Korea, South Africa, Russia Canada and the US. They are passionate in their teaching and philosophical and transmit their energy into their students.

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CECELIA GILCHRIEST

Cecelia Gilchriest is a founding member of YCID and Friends of HSAII.  Cecelia is the Assistant Corporate Secretary of Lincoln Center.  In 2007, she received Lincoln Center’s Directors Emeriti Award for exceptional service.  She was previously a founding member of CineWomen, a networking not for profit for women in the television and film industries.  She has produced the fundraising show Dance Among the Stars for the past 12 years, and directed the charitable activities of the Fred Astaire West Side studio, including fundraising events for the Lincoln Center Institute, DOROT, and Gilda’s Club.


ELINA ROLDAN

Maestro Milonguera Elina Roldan, Argentine tango dancer and teacher, is among the most recognized and respected dancers in the world of tango on all levels! Skilled, soulful and crafty her beautifully grounded milonguera style is noted to be above the best with her traipse vive and her calm sense of surrender. It is no wonder she is sought as one of the most favorite partners to hold and her knowledge and wisdom in tango is unmatched. Elina shares in the passion of teaching and helping dancers discover themselves. She thrives on spreading the soul that tango carries in each one of us and helps dancers to discover it. Her knowledge in music and tango’s musical orchestras transfers in her teachings to seek what was noted in that time period and what is translated today. She continues to teach classes in Argentina and in different countries, as participated in countless dance shows and exhibitions with different dancers throughout her career (Uruguay, Chile, England, USA, Holland, Switzerland, Slovenia, Spain, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Austria) and is head of procuring the world’s judges in Mundial de Tango and implementing the judging system, rules and regulations.

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ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS 

 

 

MAXIMILIANO CRISTIANI

coming soon....

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GUILLERMO SALVAT

Guillermo Salvat is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, instructor and director. With 20 years of experience he developed his work at the top of his field worldwide, in over 30 countries in the five continents: from Australia to Europe, from China and Japan to Southafrica, and the entire American continent. 

With an extense international experience in teaching, it outstands his participation in the most important international festivals in Europe, US and around the world, like the Festivals of Rome, Genoa, Karlsruhe, Torino, Vladivostok, the "U.S.T.C. Tango Fantasy", the Festival of New York, Washington, San Francisco, Florida, Vancouver, Boston, Medellin.

He has been judge at several tango competitions, like the US Championship in New York, World Championship in Medellin, and at the World Championship in Buenos Aires.

He has performed in the most prestigious stages around the world, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Kremlin Theatre in Moscow, the Brancaccio in Rome, Canecao in Rio de Janeiro, Luna Park in Buenos Aires, and has directed and choreograph productions in Italy, Colombia, New Zealand, Australia and the US.

In 2006 he created his own company and release the show TANGO-A-TIERRA, that has been presented so far in Buenos Aires, South Africa, Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Chile and Brasil, and in 40 cities in 4 continents around the world whit extraordinary success.