Past teacher

Sydney Grant
Tango Workshops

Tango Workshops with
Sydney Grant

Portland, OR - March 19 - 23, 2026

Organizer: Josh Castillo

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Stay tuned for details.

Save the date

March  19 -23, 2026

To register, schedule a private lesson, or for more information please email Josh Castillo at joshua@castillowellness.com 

Sidney Grant — Tango Dancer & Instructor

Sidney Grant’s career spans ballroom, Latin and Argentine tango. He has earned a reputation for both technical skill and advocacy for more inclusive, open-role tango. 

Background & Experience

  • Originally trained in ballroom dancing, Grant has over two decades of experience teaching and performing partner dances. 

  • His path towards Argentine tango began about 15 years ago; a transformative experience seeing a tango show convinced him to commit to the dance. 

  • He is known professionally also as “Dr. Dance,” reflecting a broader dance background and his versatility as an instructor across styles. 

Achievements & Distinctions

  • Sidney Grant was the first openly gay man and North American to win the U.S. Argentine Tango Championship — an important milestone both for his career and for representation in the tango community. 

  • He is recognized for bringing tango to diverse communities. Through his program Ballroom Basix, Grant has taught partner dancing (including tango) to tens of thousands of schoolchildren across New York City public schools — spreading dance, connection, and joy to new audiences. 

Teaching & Philosophy

  • He champions inclusive and open-role tango: in his workshops and classes he encourages dancers to choose the role they feel comfortable with, regardless of gender. This approach reflects his belief that tango should transcend traditional gender roles and embrace all who love the dance. 

  • For Grant, tango is more than choreography — it’s connection, expression, and community. He often speaks about how tango can dissolve boundaries and create intimacy beyond dance. 

Performance & Community Role

  • Grant frequently performs and teaches in New York and beyond. He and Claudio Marcelo Vidal have served as instructors for events such as the NY Queer Tango Weekend — showcasing tango with open roles, and celebrating diversity in the tango world.

About Sydney Grant

Sidney Grant (“Dr. Dance”) is a New York–based tango champion, performer, and instructor known for his advocacy of inclusive, open-role tango. The first openly gay and first North American winner of the U.S. Argentine Tango Championship, he teaches and performs internationally with Claudio Marcelo Vidal. Founder of Ballroom Basix, Sidney brings skill, artistry, and heart to every class he teaches.

$35 for each class – $150 for all 5 classes

 Pre-registration price $130 until 3/13

 

To Pre-Register or Book Private Lesson

Text 469.514.4966 or email: SidneyGrantPDX@gmail.com

Schedule of classes
March 20 - 22, 2026

Workshop 1: WHAT A DRAG!  

Friday, 3/20 5:30-6:30pm @ Berretin

“Barridas” (“Drags”) are an amazing addition to your dance vocabulary. Enjoy exploring creative ways to integrate them into different tango combinations! 

Workshop 2: RYE, WHITE or WHEAT?

Saturday, 3/21 2:00-3:30pm @ Berretin

There are more variations to Sandwiches (“Sandwichitos”) than you might think. Enjoy learning some creative, musical content that will dress up you ‘sandwichitos” in a way that can’t be matched at a milonga by mere mustard or mayo!

Workshop 3: ENJOY THE FLOORPLAY!

Saturday, 3/21 3:45-5:15pm @ Berretin
Enhance the subtlety & playfulness of your tango! Explore economy of movement in some of Sid’s favorite themes: on-axis cruzadas, triangulation, paradas, adornos, and castigadas (displacements), danced with pause & poise!!

 

$35 for each class – $150 for all 5 classes | Pre-registration price $130 until 3/1

Location

 

Tango Berretin

6305 SE Foster Rd.
Portland, OR 97206

Workshop 4: SCREW THIS!

Sunday, 3/22 12:00-1:30pm @ Dance with joy

Have you ever learned “Sacacorchos” (“Corkscrews”)?These are very fun, unwinding moves that add a playful dimension to your tango repertoire. We will also explore circular walking for both lead/follow around he partner!

Workshop 5: Happy Endings!

Sunday, 3/22 4:30-6:00pm @ Dance with joy
It’s Sid’s last workshop of the weekend, so you deserve a “Happy Ending” (lol!) but so does your tango, vals & milonga!!!So come join us for this final class full of fun-filled final poses.  It’s Sid’s last workshop of the weekend, so you deserve a “Happy Ending” (lol!) but so does your tango, vals & milonga!!!So come join us for this final class full of fun-filled final poses.  

Location

 

Dance with Joy

8051 SE 16th Ave
Portland, OR 97202

Jose Garofalo
Portland Tango weekend

Jose Garofalo
Tango Weekend

Portland, OR - March 4-11, 2026

Organizer: Dance with Joy Studios

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José Garófalo – Bio

José Garófalo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Between 1979 and 1983, he studied art under renowned artist Guillermo Kuitca. During this period, he also began participating in theater pieces, performances, and street actions where dance and theater became essential elements of his artistic expression.

In 1987, he began studying tango at the Centro Cultural Rojas and, in the same year, joined the Tango Ballet of the University of Buenos Aires.

José trained with influential milongueros and maestros, including Miguel Balmaceda and Nelly, Pupi Castello, Tete Rubin and Maria, Carlos Gavito, Gustavo Naveira, and Rodolfo Dinzel. He expanded his choreographic knowledge with Pedro Calveyra, Graciela González, and Marcela Trappe, and studied stage arts with Emilio García Wehbi.

Since 2007, José has served as President of the Civil Cambalache Association and has directed the annual Festival Cambalache in Buenos Aires since its founding in 2004. He has worked as a tango teacher at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires since 1998.

He is also a member of Troesmas, a research group dedicated to preserving and transmitting the knowledge of maestros who are no longer dancing in the milongas. Since 2011, he has directed the Compañía Tragicómica Tanguera, and he has been represented as a visual artist by Vasari Gallery since 2007.

José Garófalo lives and works in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Stay Tuned for more info

Jose Garofalo

From Buenos Aires, Argentina

José Garófalo, born in Buenos Aires, is a celebrated tango artist, teacher, and interdisciplinary creator. Trained by legendary milongueros and deeply rooted in Buenos Aires culture, he combines dance, theater, and visual arts in his work. He is the director of Festival Cambalache, president of the Civil Cambalache Association, a longtime tango professor at the University of Buenos Aires, and founder of the Compañía Tragicómica Tanguera. José continues to live and work in Buenos Aires, sharing and preserving the heritage of Argentine Tango.

Jose will be offering classes in historical forms of tango, as well as modern, experimental explorations of tango now! Jose is a relaxed, funny, experienced teacher with 30+ years of tango under his belt.

SAVE THE DATE

March 4-11-2026

There will be group classes, small group intensives and private lessons.

More info and schedule of classes:

 https://dancewithjoystudios.com/

To pre-register for workshops or schedule a private lesson with Jose, send an email to: support@dancewithjoystudios.com  or call 503-236-8160

More info: www.dancewithjoystudios.com

  • Location: Dance with Joy Studios  8051 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Location

 

Dance with Joy Studios

8051 SE 16th Ave
Portland, OR 97202

Luciana Valle
Portland Tango weekend

Luciana Valle
Tango Workshops

Portland, OR - April 25-27, 2026

Organizer: The Portland Tango Association.

Luisa Zini Fortuna

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Stay Tuned for more info to come.

Weekend Workshops
Facebook Event

Special Couple Workshops
Facebook Event

Schedule of Workshops
&
Registration

Save the Date

April 25-27, 2026

Register soon, workshops fill up fast!

NOTE:

Matias Sotto will not join Luciana

this year.

Luciana will collaborate with Alex Krebs in teaching a couple of advanced workshops and perform with him on Saturday night at Berretin.

Luciana Valle Bio

Luciana Valle, a tango dancer since the nineties, played a pivotal role in the Tango Investigation group of Gustavo Naveira and Fabian Salas. This project significantly contributed to the development of the tango language now widely used globally for teaching tango.

Renowned for her expertise as both a leader and follower, Luciana has earned widespread recognition as one of the finest female teachers. Her teaching style is characterized by fantastic energy, exuberance, and a keen eye for detail. Luciana employs descriptive movement images, making intricate actions accessible to her students. Her classes emphasize the dance’s structure, technical nuances for comfortable and expressive movement, and the strong connection between leaders and followers. This approach challenges and benefits both leaders and followers alike.

Additionally, Luciana is a co-founder of El Motivo Tango, a trio of female excellent tango teachers. This dynamic group not only imparts their tango expertise but also hosts a highly attended practica every Monday evening in Buenos Aires.

Since 1999, Luciana has been a regular presence in Portland, conducting tango workshops and offering private lessons. Her enduring commitment to teaching has left an indelible mark on the local tango community.

Pricing & Registration Information:

  • $35 per Weekend Workshop and $40 advanced Weekend Workshop taught by Luciana and Alex Krebs or $185 for all 6 Workshops.
  • Pre-registration discounts are available online till April 24.
    • $165 for all 6 Workshops 
    • 10% discount for groups of 3/4/5 classes
  • No pre-registration or partner is required.
  •  $40 per person – Advanced Monday couple only Workshop with Luciana and Alex Krebs.

Location:

The Weekend Workshops are held at Tango Berretin, 6305 SE Foster Rd.

The Monday Special Couple Workshop will be held at: The Loft at 8th Avenue, 2010 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 .

Privates

Luciana is available for privates between April 21-24 and 27-30 2026. Contact Luciana to schedule a private.

Schedule of Workshops
&
Registration

Dominic Bridge

Dominic Bridge

The bedrock of Dominic’s dance and pedagogy is his focus on musicality, improvisation, connection and mindfulness, as well as freedom of movement, expression, and style.

Dominic’s students appreciate not only his uncommon talent as a dancer, but his ability to articulate what many people find all but ineffable about tango. He is a devoted teacher who will go the extra mile to instill new techniques and perspectives in his students. He strives to open doors within all his students so that they may further discover themselves and the beauty of their own inner tango. He believes to his core that tango makes the world a better place and that he has found his calling in sharing his passion for this dance.

Dominic Bridge started dancing in 2005 at the age of eighteen in Eugene and Portland. After teaching around the world for the past fifteen years throughout over twenty countries, he continually strives to reach his full potential as an artist and teacher.

After his first trip to Buenos Aires in 2007 where he studied and danced tango 25 hours a day for 70 days straight—and many people are saying that he survived on quintuple-layered cheese pizza, medialunas, and Fernet Branca alone—Dominic began teaching in Europe when he took over a tango school in Florence, Italy in 2008. In 2010 he moved to Paris, where he found inspiration sharing the dance floor with the world’s top tango dancers living there or passing through. From Paris he became increasingly international, with artistic residencies and tango school-building in Florence, Paris, Moscow, Budapest, Portland, and Berlin. His performances and seminars have been featured in various prominent tango festivals all over North America, Europe, Russia, as well as Armenia and India.

Dominic’s ultimate goal is to be a rising tide to lift all boats, improving the dancing of whole communities so that dancers may deepen their experience of interconnectedness and unity with themselves and one another.

He is fluent and enjoys conversing in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

An unfinished list of countries toured: USA (17 states), Argentina, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Spain, the Canary Islands, Malta, Greece, Armenia, India, and Texas.

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Joe Ferreira

Joe Ferreira

Joe Ferreira tango teacher

theriodancer.com

20 yeas of Argentin Tango practice. Experience in Tango Salón, Tango Escenario, Tango Vals, Milonga and Tango Nuevo. Teaching for over 15 years in congresses, workshops and festivals in South America. Currently teaches at Shabu Studios in Portland.

Private Classes – Group Classes – Choreography for Tango sequences and routines for showcase or competition.

Currently in house teacher at:

Shabu Studios,
6055 ne glisan portland oregon 97213

For more information on Joe, visit his website:
theriodancer.com

 

 

 

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Megan Pingree

Megan Pingree

patootietango

Megan Pingree is one of Portland’s most experienced, responsive, and enabling tango dancers.

Megan has studied Argentine tango since 1993, having been among the initial wave of Portlanders to take an interest in the dance. She was Clay Nelson’s principal teaching and dance partner for two years and performed with him in Michelle Badion’s show “Tango Nights” at the Aladdin Theater in November 1999. She is often asked to partner visiting Argentine instructors, and assists local teachers (Bill Alsup and Alex Krebs, these days) and subs for them in their absence. She teaches her pre-milonga classes, and various workshops and mini-specials.

Megan hosts Corazón de Tango, a Friday night milonga held on the 2nd, 4th, & 5th Fridays of the month. Fifth Fridays are “Philanthropy Fridays”, with the proceeds donated to a charity.

Megan has an instructional video for sale: “Argentine Tango for Absolute Beginners”, made with Clay Nelson in Dec 2003. It covers basic vocabulary, basic patterns, syncopated steps and cross-foot patterns, totaling 21 different components. Cost: $20.

Particularly adept with multiple styles of tango, Megan has been influenced by a broad range of Argentines, including Luciana Valle, Lucia Mazer, Fabián Salas, Gustavo Naveira, Lorena Ermocida, Daniela Arcuri, Fernanda Ghi, and Susana Miller.

For more information about lessons, classes, videotapes, or Corazón de Tango, contact Megan at 503-222-4691 or meganpingree@comcast.net. For the latest in her organizing and teaching activities, check out her new blog/website at PatootieTango.

Bill Alsup

Bill Alsup

Bill Alsup at Viscount Studio

Bill started obsessively pursuing tango in 1997, and has studied with dozens of Argentine tango masters, some of them several times.

Bill’s dancing is renowned for its creative and playful musicality, due in no small part to his two decades as a professional French hornist.

He hosts the weekly Sunday Afternoon Practica at the Viscount Dance Studios, started in 2000, and most of the time teaches the introductory class before the practica.

Bill is also active as a tango DJ, having played music at events in Eugene, Bend, Ashland, Seattle, and in Mexico, and regularly DJ’s in Portland and throughout the Northwest.

Bill facilitated the local workshops of Argentine tango masters Graciela Gonzalez, Mariano “Chicho” Frúmboli, Cecilia Gonzalez (4 visits), Jean-Sèbastien Rampazzi, Brigitta Winkler, Rebecca Shulman, Brooke Burdett and Hsueh-tze Lee.

Bill created this portlandtango.com website in 1998 and maintained it for 9 years. He now spends his time integrating his passion for tango with bicycling. He keeps a photo journal of his activities at Tango Biker. Contact Bill directly at 971-207-1508 or email billalsup@yahoo.com.

Glykeria Manis

Glykeria Manis

www.tangogly.com/

Glykeria Manis has been studying Argentine Tango over 14 years. Given her background with two graduate psychology degrees, Glykeria went on to obtain her third graduate degree in the study of dance & movement therapy with a focus on the benefits of Argentine Tango to our health and well-being.

Her classes and workshops are enriched with this knowledge, offering a supportive learning environment and promoting the art of connection. Moreover, Glykeria strives to infuse her teaching with somatic awareness, emphasizing balance, elegance, solid technique and creativity.

Glykeria began her Argentine Tango journey in NYC and Buenos Aires and has been living and teaching Tango in PDX since 2014. She is the co-host of the weekly Thursday social “Milonga La Divina” at The Village Ballroom, 704 NE Dekum St.

Glykeria is the creator/ founder of GREEK ISLAND TANGO ~ Annual Tango intensives/retreats on the beautiful island of Milos since 2013.

“Argentine Tango is not only an art form and social dance, but also a vehicle to explore non-verbal communication that increases attunement to ourselves and to others”.

Visit Glykeria’s website for details of her current teaching schedule:
www.tangogly.com

Amy PK

Amy PK

www.wednesdaytango.com/

Amy (fondly known to many in the community as APK) has been dancing Tango since 1995. She is an active tango dancer and teacher in the Portland Oregon area and loves to inspire and teach students of all levels.

Amy is involved with a number of tango projects including hosting “Wednesday”, one of the most popular weekly tango dances in town. By offering both traditional and non-traditional tango music at this venue, people from all walks of life can explore this wonderful improvised dance in a comfortable and fun environment.

Amy teaches the introductory tango class at 7:30pm and dancing starts at 8:30pm. For more information on “Wednesday”, please visit WednesdayTango.com

For more information on Amy, please contact her directly at: 
apktango@gmail.com