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
James Foster
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Vice President
TBA
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Treasurer
Christopher Schumacher
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Assistant Treasurer
TBA
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Performance Coordinator
TBA
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Chief DJ
TBA
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Webmaster
Barron Gillon
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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. |
Instructors
Salah Sommakia |
Mariko Knox |
Dhruv Singh |
Jeff Atkinson |
Past Instructors
Stefan |
Evie |
Liang |
Sid |
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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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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. |
Joe & carlotta |
Fred & Yermen |
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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 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. |
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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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