About Us
our beginnings and intentions…
Tango South was conceived and created during the Summer of 2007, with the aim of forming a Tango community in Hampshire, Surry & West Sussex. Initially based in the Petersfield area, our goal was (and still is) to provide teaching in authentic Argentine Tango through classes, private lessons and workshops. As the community develops, we have now introduced our own regular Milongas on the last Saturday of the month. Our Classes are spreading too: by our first anniversary we will have weekly classes in Basingstoke, Farnham, Guildford and Lindford, near Bordon.
what’s in a name…
Apart from where we are based, Tango South also relates to Tango al Sur –
named after the renowned Tango song Vuelvo Al Sur by Astor Piazzolla. Originally immortalised by the gravel-voiced Roberto Goyeneche it is best known from the Gotan Project version, not to mention a re-mix by Koop.
who are we…
Peter & Jennifer met through Tango two years ago and started teaching together soon after in order to share the fun and passion we have for this dance with others. We are fascinated by the original, authentic form of Argentine Tango, which, as a totally improvised dance, relies on the connection and understanding between the man and the woman to create a unique and very special experience. We say more about this aspect of Tango elsewhere. Meanwhile, a bit more about us individually…
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer found Tango by accident in 2001. From then it took priority over her original love of Ballroom, Latin, Jive and Salsa, whilst teaching Tango has become a major source of inspiration.
Jennifer originally trained in modelling, beauty therapy, colour, image and style. She is very aware of the physical movement of the body, with many years’ experience of body building and weight training. However, her own physique and flexibility is now sometimes limited, and this has helped her develop even greater empathy with students of all ages.
Jennifer’s training in the arts and her shamanic work over the years has helped her to understand people’s differing needs and reactions to learning. Her further development as a Master Reiki healer as well as Graphology and Tarot have all added to her intuitive understanding of the emotional and psychological aspects of Tango.
Her special interest as a teacher, however, is in fine observation of the technical movement in the dance. She believes that good basic technique is the essential pre-requisite on which to build the more creative and expressive elements. Jennifer has adopted this same approach to the challenges of leading and is comfortable dancing and teaching in the leader’s role.
Peter Okell-Walker
Peter’s involvement in Tango – dancing, teaching, playing and DJing - allows him to combine the major passions in his life. Originally trained as a classical musician (he studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London) he discovered Argentine Tango in 2002 whilst teaching at a Summer School for classical guitarists and was immediately hooked. Since then he has immersed himself in Tango and has studied with a number of teachers and visiting maestros in the UK and in Buenos Aires.
Totally enchanted by some of the most wonderful popular music ever written, he has embarked on an ongoing study of Tango music and, as a keen performer, has played at many milongas throughout the south of England, combining guitar and vocals. He DJs regularly at milongas.
Peter’s teaching style is largely influenced by another passion – that of adult learning. He has been an organisation consultant, trainer and coach for many years. His special interest is in releasing the energy and creativity we all have, but which so often remain unexpressed. He finds Tango is a wonderful vehicle for that vital mixture of discipline and freedom so fundamental to creative expression. Always ready to explore innovative ways of teaching, he has used African drumming to help people dance in time with the music, and taught Tango to top management teams to help them experience leading and following in their bodies as well as in their heads!
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