About us
Mission Statement
"La Milonguera" is a student organization at Purdue
University devoted to the promotion and enjoyment of everything related
to Argentinean Tango.
As part of our interest in Tango, we offer three levels of
classes in tango, milonga, and Argentine vals. Classes are open to
everyone in the greater Lafayette. Singles and couples are welcome.
In addition to scheduled classes, we organize workshops, field trips, movies, milonga parties, performances, etc.
The Founders
The Club was originally founded in 2002 under the guidance of Sang  Hyun Chang. Sang had learned Argentinean Tango while doing post-doctoral studies in Japan, and he was eagerly looking for new dance opportunities at Purdue. He met with Deniz Husrev, an undergraduate student from Turkey, and a true tango enthusiast.
Sang started offering beginner classes at the International
Center, while Deniz helped recruit new students, and oversaw the Club's
organization. Thanks to both for your vision and your leadership!
Club Officers
President
Sidharth Paranjape  |
Asst. President
Jillian Rumpza  |
Event Coord.
Jillian Rumpza |
Treasurer
Amirali Noorinaeini |
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Sid has been with the Club since Summer 2004. This is his third term as an officer and he has always been helpful in performances and milongas. Sid is a graduate student and has a delicate grace and lead on the dance floor. |
Self-proclaimed "First Lady of Tango" or Sid's assistant, Jill has been with us since Spring 2005. She is a fast learner and a cheerful and devoted member of our club. Jill also acts as the tango hair and make-up artist. |
The organized nemisis of the First Lady, Jillian Christine has been with the club since spring 2005. When not assisting the President she is creating concepts for our community events. She enjoys traditional Argetine Tango style as well as more modern expression and welcomes everyone to explore their creative side. |
Amir joined L.M. in Spring 2006. He brings great laughter and intrigue to the dance floor. Amir is an enthusiastic learner who enjoys exploring new concepts and nuevo musicality. When not gracing the dance floor, you can find him assisiting in event preparation and all tango activities. ...and you can give him your money... |
Secretary
Dorothee Bouquet.  |
Asst. Event Coord.
Evie  |
Asst. Treasurer
Rugved Pathare  |
Milonga Coord.
Luca Magnani  |
| Dorothee has been with the club since Spring 2006. She is a Gotan Project fanatic and is willing to learn all forms of tango. Dorothee keeps us well organized with a graceful smile and cheerful disposition. Be sure to make her glow pink with a great joke and cool moves. . |
Evie is one of the senior members of our club joining back in 2002. Her grace and beautiful smile have been a constant delight for all of our members these past five years. Evie has been an active tanguera, performing in almost every event since the inception of La Milonguera. She contributes greatly to our event planning with a wealth of experience and skill. |
Though you would never guess it, Rugved just started dancing in Spring 2007. He is a very fast learner and future asset to the tango community at large. His creativity and ability on the dance floor are not his only talents. When paying Rugved your club dues, make sure to check out his shoes, he designs them himself! |
Luca has been with the club since Spring
of 2005, gracing the dance floors of classes, workshops and
milongas. A great sense of humor and passion for classical tango
makes him a great asset to our club. |
Officer at Large
Stefan Bertsch |
Officer at Large
Barron Gillion |
Officer at Large
Dan Leaird |
Officer at Large
Elena Shalaev  |
| Stefan has been with the club since Summer 2004. He is a great dancer, performer, instructor and help to the club. Stefan is a graduate student and he is also one of our ex-Presidents! |
Barron's quiet ascension to club officer started in Summer 2006. Don't let his silence on the dance floor fool you. His grace and technique shine through as he assists in our club activities. |
Dan is the man and the unofficial bouncer of our club. Though he may look like the Presidential Secret Service, he is a smoothe dancer and modern tango enthusiast. Dan is always in the mood for Celtic tango or other obscure nuevo genres. Every ready with his toolbelt and tango shoes, our club wouldn.t be the same without him and his better half (Jen). |
Elena has been dancing and teaching
various dances (ballroom, flamenco etc.) for more than twenty years.
Elena is working recently on her movement therapy license. |
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Daniel Aliaga  |
Daniel is an Assistant
Professor in Computer Science. Daniel is a strong tango lead and very
fun to dance with at milongas, workshops and performances. |
Faculty Advisor
Prof. Rabi Mohtar |
Rabi is a Professor in
Agricultural Enginering. Rabi is reputed for his mastery of
belly-dancing and for his eternal smile. We are delighted to have him
join our milongas, workshops and performances. |
Guest Instructors
 Joe Grohens & Carlota
We've enjoyed Joe and Carlota's classes for over six semesters. Both
have years of experience teaching tango at all levels in
Champaign-Urbana. For more information and for a great deal of
resources, visit Joe's website.
 Fred & Yermen Romero
Fred and Yermen have studied extensively with numerous Argentine
masters, including Carlos Gavito and Marcela Duran, Nito and Elba
Garcia, and Osvaldo Zotto. They have been teaching tango at all levels
in Chicago since 1994, and have been invited instructors in
Minneapolis, St. Louis, at the University of Illinois, and at Purdue
University. They have also given numerous tango demonstrations and
performed in numerous tango shows in the Chicago area. In their
teaching of tango they emphasize techniques for effective communication
between leader and follower, development of an artistic style of dance
presentation, and musical interpretation. Fred and Yermen teach monthly
Tango Society workshops in tango, milonga, and vals.
Volunteer Instructors
| Stefan |
Evie |
Liang |
Sid |
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 |
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Stefan has been with the club since Summer 2004. He is a great dancer, performer, instructor and help to the club. Stefan is a graduate student and he is also one of our ex-Presidents!
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Evie has been assisting Stefan & Sid with teaching practica & classes. An active tanguera - She is one of our senior members, performs in almost every event since the inception of La Milonguera and an excellent instructor!
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Liang has been with the club for 3 years already. She is one of our most elegant dancers. This year she will be assisting Sid and Stefan with teaching. She has come up with new ideas blending her ballet background with Tango. Ladies: Watchout for the announcement of classes with her to learn a cool footwork!!!
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Sid has been with the Club since Summer 2004. This is his third term as an officer and he has always been helpful in performances and milongas. Sid is a graduate student and has a delicate grace and lead on the dance floor. |
| Jill |
Amir |
Javier |
Luca |
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 |
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Jill has been with the Club since Spring 2005. She is a great dancer and a very articulate teacher. She enjoys traditional Argetine Tango style as well as more modern expression and welcomes everyone to explore their creative side. |
Amir is an enthusiastic learner who enjoys exploring new concepts and nuevo musicality. Don't forget to attend his Monday classes!!! |
Javier joined the club in Summer 2007 with new ideas on the dance floor. He will be teaching open classes on Monday and intermediate classes on Friday.
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Luca has been with the club since Spring
of 2005, gracing the dance floors of classes, workshops and
milongas. He likes to share his passion for music, and is very enthusiastic about teaching musicality classes. |
Duties & Responsibilities
This is an excerpt from the Club's constitution.
- President & Asst. President
E-mailing, website maintenance
Produce class schedules, primary contact person with guest instructors
Coordinate the work of other officers
- Secretary & Asst. Secretary
Handle room reservations (for classes, workshops, and milongas/events)
Produce and coordinate advertising, fliering, postering, etc.
Communicate about out-of-town events like milongas in Urbana/Chicago (car pooling)
Manage the Club resources (lending of music and videos)
- Treasurer & Asst. Treasurer
Collect membership fees at the beginning of every semester
Pay instructors after each class
Oversee all purchases (food, drinks, music, videos, etc..)
- Special Event Coordinators
Conceptualize and coordinate shows, performances, and demos.
- Officers at Large
Besides these officers, 4 other officers are responsible for
representing the Club members when it comes to making decisions like...
how many classes per semester, which rooms to choose, how much to
subsidize at workshops, which instructors to invite, when to hold
milongas, etc.
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