Dima Berk will be in Cape Town for the next two weeks giving group and private tango lessons. Dima has taught with his wife Noora in Washington DC for over ten years. To find out more about Dima and his passion for tango I asked him some questions....
What inspires you about Argentine tango?
Argentine tango attraction started with appreciation of tango music. Music creates the mood and elevates your spirit. My continuous exploration of the dance technique keeps surprising me with unlimited possibilities of improvisation and variety of musical expression.
In your experience what do you see as the key strategies for improvement?
One of the best strategies for improvement is continuous study and practice. Finding a local teacher that inspires you to explore deeper into the tango technique. Attending festivals and marathons in different countries, you encounter a great variety of styles and meet all the cool tango people. Spending time in Argentina, couple of weeks every one or two years.
What is your view on the role of the follower?
Follower role is surprisingly very complicated. As a follower you're having a subtle conversation with the leader while interpreting the music. The relationship between leader and the follower is an ongoing exchange of ideas in the language of tango movements and feeling of the music. Great followers embrace variations of leader style while maintaining the independence of their own expression.
Who are your favorite teachers?
My favorite teachers range from world known to local teachers from traditional to nuevo, however what unites them is the passionate approach to teaching and how much inspiration and energy they bring to classes. Here is the list in no particular order: Sharna Fabiano, Javier Rochwarger , Alex Krebs, Julio and Christina Balmaseda, Martin and Mauricio Maldonado, Gaston Torelli and Moira Castellano, Chicho and Juana, Homer and Christina Ladas....
What do you see as the challenges of transmitting Argentine Tango in a removed cultural context?
Argentine Tango as a culture has many roots and this helps me to find the connection with students in almost any cultural context. When I talk about the musicality and physical movement I can relate to the African and European and Jewish roots of the music to explain the use of different instruments or beat and melody structures. As an explanation of physical movement I often find students can relate to folk dance movements or martial arts or other sports. To make my classes accessible and fun I strive to find the type of physical or musical experience that students can naturally relate and visualize.
Dimas Programme:
Saturday 18th March
1- 2:15 pm: On and off axis calesita as a Conversation Piece
2:45- 4 pm: Mastering the cross for advanced dancers
Sunday 19th March
1-2:15 pm: Playful Displacement Strategies for Leaders and Followers
2:45 - 4pm: Who is leading the turn in media lunas?
Lessons will be at the Observatory Community Centre and are R150 each. Please book with Rachael Glaser: rachael@libertango.co.za
Private lessons can be arranged at R690 per hour or R590 per hour for a package of 3 lessons.
What inspires you about Argentine tango?
Argentine tango attraction started with appreciation of tango music. Music creates the mood and elevates your spirit. My continuous exploration of the dance technique keeps surprising me with unlimited possibilities of improvisation and variety of musical expression.
In your experience what do you see as the key strategies for improvement?
One of the best strategies for improvement is continuous study and practice. Finding a local teacher that inspires you to explore deeper into the tango technique. Attending festivals and marathons in different countries, you encounter a great variety of styles and meet all the cool tango people. Spending time in Argentina, couple of weeks every one or two years.
What is your view on the role of the follower?
Follower role is surprisingly very complicated. As a follower you're having a subtle conversation with the leader while interpreting the music. The relationship between leader and the follower is an ongoing exchange of ideas in the language of tango movements and feeling of the music. Great followers embrace variations of leader style while maintaining the independence of their own expression.
Who are your favorite teachers?
My favorite teachers range from world known to local teachers from traditional to nuevo, however what unites them is the passionate approach to teaching and how much inspiration and energy they bring to classes. Here is the list in no particular order: Sharna Fabiano, Javier Rochwarger , Alex Krebs, Julio and Christina Balmaseda, Martin and Mauricio Maldonado, Gaston Torelli and Moira Castellano, Chicho and Juana, Homer and Christina Ladas....
What do you see as the challenges of transmitting Argentine Tango in a removed cultural context?
Argentine Tango as a culture has many roots and this helps me to find the connection with students in almost any cultural context. When I talk about the musicality and physical movement I can relate to the African and European and Jewish roots of the music to explain the use of different instruments or beat and melody structures. As an explanation of physical movement I often find students can relate to folk dance movements or martial arts or other sports. To make my classes accessible and fun I strive to find the type of physical or musical experience that students can naturally relate and visualize.
Dimas Programme:
Saturday 18th March
1- 2:15 pm: On and off axis calesita as a Conversation Piece
2:45- 4 pm: Mastering the cross for advanced dancers
Sunday 19th March
1-2:15 pm: Playful Displacement Strategies for Leaders and Followers
2:45 - 4pm: Who is leading the turn in media lunas?
Lessons will be at the Observatory Community Centre and are R150 each. Please book with Rachael Glaser: rachael@libertango.co.za
Private lessons can be arranged at R690 per hour or R590 per hour for a package of 3 lessons.
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