Mitra Martin, Tango Challenge FacilitatorDear Prospective Challenger, 

It takes a village to create a Tango dancer.  

In Buenos Aires in the 1940s, that was no problem. In 21st century Los Angeles, it’s another story. That’s why we created the Tango Challenge. 

Do you have an inner Tango dancer that’s waiting to come out and explore this intoxicating dance ? Thousands of Americans have been transformed by Tango.

Many pre-beginners are just waiting to find the right opportunity, where they know they will get the structure and personalized support they need to have fun and learn Tango. 

Here are some things that partcipants have said that the Tango Challenge brought them: self-awareness, self-confidence, increased sense of self-worth, courage, self-acceptance, patience, trust, self-belief, calmness, and inner peace.

Argentine Tango - let yourself go ! The whole world benefits when you are more in touch with yourself and more connected to others. Come find joy in the discipline of Tango. 

Mitra Martin

Director, Tango Challenge
mitra@oxygentango.com
310-744-6072 x 2
Download the 2013 Brochure

 You will learn: 

• Tango Movement: Able to connect with another dancer, with the music, and the space, to improvise a Tango in a public setting, using 100-level concepts and, for some, 200-level concepts. Ability embody the basic disciplines of Tango. Able to distinguish between kinds and styles of Tango. 

• Tango Music. Able to synchronize movement to music, identify basic properties of Tango music, and distinguish between important orchestras and among the sub-genres of tango, milonga, and vals music by ear. Able to articulate what kind of Tango music you resonate most with personally.

• Tango Culture. Track awareness of your inner state and evaluate its usefulness in supporting your Tango. Purposefully cultivate the personal qualities that support Tango dancing and practice, grounded in the traditional culture of Tango. Learn how to connect with yourself and with a partner.

• A Promise. First and foremost, through the challenge you are making a promise to not only yourself, but also your coach and your team-mates that you will follow through with your learn to Tango. This commitment itself is invaluable to your success.  
• Dance Instruction: Unlimited weeknight classes per week at your level for 12 weeks (up to 5 for 100-level dancers, 8 for 200-level), along with all weekend Bootcamps during the duration of teh Challenge, with Oxygen Tango’s renowned, inspiring teachers.  
• Semi-Private Group Work: Five special 2-hour semi-private workshops limited exclusively to you and your 7 team-mates, so you can work directly with the teacher and get info that’s not normally covered in class. (Sundays mornings, 11:30am-1:30pm) 
• Personalized Guidance: Individualized, inspiring coaching for 12 weeks including weekly Tango check-ins with a facilitator who really cares. A dedicated assistant facilitator who’s there to help you and your team. A Tango “buddy” who has done the Challenge before and will be available for informal guidance and encouragement. 
• Practice Time. As all high caliber dancers, musicians, and athletes know, good quality, regular practice is the key to gaining competence. All weekly Practicas (Tuesday night, Thursday night and Sunday night), along with half-hour daily practicas, are included
• Mini-Challenges and Resources: Eight fun and inspiring Mini-Challenges -- some solo and some team-based -- to help you go deeper. Including access to critical readings on Tango and great Tango music playlists. The Oxygen Tango Challenge Workbook with tons of unique resources and tools to track your progress. 
• A Celebration. An opportunity to perform in a recital at a Graduation Ball in your honor, celebrating you and your team with a Champagne Toast to your achievements in Tango.

The Spring Tango Challenge:
Sunday, Sunday May 5th - Sunday, July 28th 2013

Dancers in the Challenge are the ones who we watch become great dancers quickly, but this kind of magic only comes with a certain amount of dedication ! Here’s what’s required: 

• Attend a minimum 3 classes each week at your level  
  • 7:30-8:30 Mon-Thurs 100 Level 
  • 9pm-10pm Mon-Weds 200 Level
  • 9pm-10pm Thurs Technique 
• Attend Sunday Practica every week, 6-8pm
  
• Participate in 5 prescheduled 2-hour semi-private weekend workshops w/your team from 3-5pm in Westwood on the following dates: 5/5, 5/26, 6/16/ 7/7, 7/28
• Final recital and graduation ball: 8-10pm, Fri., June 26th
• Complete 8 challenges on own time 

You Will Need:

• A pair of appropriate shoes for Tango dancing
• An internet-enabled computer & iTunes music library.
• A videocamera (or be able to borrow one)

Here’s a full interview with Tango Challenger Bruce Blair, who surmounted incredible obstacles to participate in both the Oxygen Tango Challenge and the Tango Journey - and who enjoyed dancing socially at his first Tango Festival only a couple months later ! 

"The Tango Challenge helped bring to me a social confidence and recognition of the connections we share with each other. The Challenged also forged great friendships with my challengemates as well as the community in general. " - Kris, Software Engineer

"I made life-long friends with whom I shared the challenges and rewards of learning tango. The challenge helped me to focus better on the connection, get over my fears and anxieties and boosted my confidence because I could see that I was really making progress." - Sergio, Film Editor

"The Tango challenge was life-changing for me. LearningTango parallels living life in so many ways. I experienced deep personal growth, overcame fears, excelled at a skill rapidly because of a deep commitment to it, and made a new family of friends."  - Annette, Administrative Assistant [Now on Staff at Oxygen!]

At Oxygen Tango, our mission is to create delightful learning experiences that remind us of the joy of being in tune with one another. 

Mitra Martin, Director, Faciliator and 100 Level Teacher 

Mitra Martin's Teaching Philsophy Statement: "Teaching is a natural extension of our willingness to be helpful. We’re drawn to teach because there are things we’re naturally drawn to learn. That attracts to us students who are involved with the same puzzles, challenges, and questions as us. My focus with Oxygen Tango is creating educational environments that reaffirm self-worth; that inspire us to pay attention to each other in detail as whole human beings; that enable helping, teaching and learning from each other in constructive and efficient ways; that enable people to regulate and take responsibility for their own learning."

Stefan Fabry, 100 Level and Technique Teacher 

Sharna Fabiano, Course Designer and Workshop/Bootcamp Teacher

Fabienne Bongard, Bootcamp Teacher

Scott Haller, Assistant Facilitator

How much time does it take ? 

It takes 4-7 hours per week. You’ll need to be available, minimally on Sunday evenings plus two other weeknight (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.)

Do I need a partner ? 

You will meet many partners in your team and at the school. You do not need a partner to sign up. 

Who will be my partner ?

One of the things you’ll be learning is how to invite someone to be your Tango partner. We’ll walk you through the process step by step. 

Can I sign up with a friend ?

Sure ! Both of you should be ready to switch partners and roles in most classes and practicas, because this accelerates your learning. 

What if I have to miss part of it ? 

In most cases, that’s okay and you can make up what you miss. Please call the facilitator to find out if your conflict is one we can work around. 310-744-6072 x 2

Which classes can I take ?

If you’re a beginner, you can take any 100 Level class, Technique class, or Bootcamp. After 32 hours in 100 Level, or the equivalent, you’re welcome to take 200 Level+ classes too. 

When can I start dancing at milongas ?

As soon as you feel like it ! The Challenge has some built-in milonga excursions. Here’s some info for your first milonga. 

Why should I do the Challenge, instead of membership ?

In the Challenge you’ll find a unique experience: a structured curriculum, with clear goals and milestones; individualized guidance and support; access to important, nuanced material that’s impossible to cover in group classes; purposeful integration with the community of more experienced dancers; and a beautiful, festive culmination, celebrating YOU and your achievements ! 

Can I do a payment plan ? 

Yes. Please call us, we can set that up for you. 310-744-6072 x 2

Can’t you offer it in Glendale/New York/etc. ? 

Someday !!!

Can I talk to someone who’s done it ? 

Of course ! Once again, please contact us 310-744-6072 x 2

How should I prepare ? 

Get some real Tango shoes you’re in love with. They should be beautiful and comfortable. Either leather or suede soles are fine. Low-heeled (2-inches or less), closed-toed shoes for ladies are ideal. We recommend WorldTone. 

 Some Fun Facts about the Tango Challenge: 

• Number of cohorts: Eight since first cohort in January 2010. 
• Retention across course’s history: 82%
  • Current Year Retention: 100%
  • Year One Retention: 70%
• Hours of R&D that went into development of the Tango Challenge: estimated by 3 course designers: 236 hours of direct development
• Number of miles someone relocated within LA in order to be closer to Oxygen for the Tango Challenge: 34.5 miles
• Number of miles someone temporarily relocated in order to take the Summer Challenge: 7,458 miles
• Number of pages in the exclusive Tango Challenge “Do Not Touch” Workbook: 47 pages 
• Percentage of Tango Challenge Teams with Spanish words in their team name: 37.5%
• Percentage accuracy of Challenge teams’ ability to distinguish between Di Sarli and D’Arienzo: 80% (historical minimum)
• Percentage of Tango Challenge grads who went on to play leadership roles in Tango community: 29%
• Number of Cabeceo Points: 437 and counting !!!! 

Tuition for the Tango Challenge is $780 

Early-Bird - Through April 28th: $680

Thousands of people waste their time and thousands of dollars each year trying to learn to Tango, and get discouraged in the process. This is very sad for us to see. 

It’s because Tango has always been a dance that comes to life in a personal and immersive learning environment, and dropping in to a group class once or twice a week is too limited. 

If you take Tango weekly, say 40 weeks per year for 2 years, you’ll likely spend $1,200 just on group classes. It’s very unlikely that by the end you’ll feel at all competent to dance socially. 

Or, you could spend $780 on private lessons, which are a great way to learn, but you still won’t get integrated into the community of dancers. Strong interpersonal bonds with other dancers are crucial to your journey through Tango. 

Unlimited passes or membership at Oxygen is a great way to deepen and grow your Tango post-Challenge. But, it can’t offer beginners the structure, personalized guidance, goals and milestones, and team spirit that make the Challenge work for you.

Challengers spend between 70-150 hours doing Tango during the Tango Challenge. That works out to $5-$11 per hour, lots of which includes more private attention and individual support. Believe us, it’s worth it ! 

Here are some Facebook Photo Albums and Video Memories of Past Challenges: 

2012 Summer Tango Challenge Graduation Ball Photo Album

2012 Spring Tango Challenge Graduation Ball Photo Album

2012 Winter Tango Challenge Graduation Ball Memories Video, Recital Video, and Photo Album

2011 Spring Tango Challenge Graduation Ball Recital Viddeo and Photo Album