I once read that you don’t find tango, it finds you.

My journey in the art of Argentine tango began in 2016 when I walked into a dance studio in Orange County, California.

Having no dance background whatsoever - I thought I would try a salsa class for the first time. As I’m waiting for the class to begin, a tall, slender, charming blonde woman approaches me. She was stunning at first glance and she asked me if I was here for tango class. For a second there was a glitch in my brain trying to process this.

For one, I didn’t even know what tango was to begin with. I immediately said “Yes” and followed her into the class like a golden retriever. salsa had gone out the window, tango was the next and best move I would ever make.

Her name was Ruta Maria but she would become to what I refer to this day as my “Tango mom” . She would teach me my first steps in tango. I immediately signed up for 8 classes following the first practice and by the 8th class I had caught the tango bug. Between those classes I met someone who would change my journey in tango forever. Maestro Marcos Questas. Originally from Buenos Aires and a master of Argentine tango. He along with Ruta set me off on my journey early one

We traveled to Buenos Aires in 2018 where Marcos is originally from so it made navigating the city much easier. I was hooked. I couldn’t even sleep. I was living, breathing, eating and learning and dancing tango. While in Buenos Aires, I attended a milonga every night, many of which had live bands which really inspired me to pick up a guitar when I got back to the states.

As soon as I got back, bought a classical guitar, grew my nails on my right hand and started learning to play milonga on the guitar. In fact, one of my favorite songs is a class folk song “Milonga Del Ayer” by Abel Flurry. I could honestly say this song inspired me to learn to play the guitar and so I learned it. While continuing my pursuit to become a better tango dancer, I’ve also started experimenting with Nuevo tango. Putting my own spin on guitar and instrumental. stand out.