Biographies of Gustavo and Maria
Gustavo was born in Buenos Aires and raised in Palermo area. He devoted his youth to study literature. By the end of the 1990’s he came to Tango, learning from teachers who had been part of the Show that took Broadway by storm back in the 1980’s: “Tango Argentino”.
Soon after, he started working as an assistant teacher for various Masters. He developed his career as a teacher by studying techniques and by analyzing Tango as a social and psychological phenomenon.
His experience as a teacher in other fields allowed him to trespass the limits of showing “movements” to place himself as a reference of Tango dance not only as a physical activity but moreover as a philosophy.
Being a journalist and a researcher gave him the curiosity that led him to give expression to his studies. In 2004 he published the Tango Dance Glossary – Key Tango Argentino Dance Terms, in 2006 Embracing Tango – Techniques and Metaphors between Tango and Life. And in 2009 he produced –with educational purposes only - the documentary “The history of tango dance – 1940 / 1960”.
He teaches regular classes at Salón Canning and Workshops in several milongas of Buenos Aires, as well as Workshops and lectures in the US and Europe, where he takes part of international tango meetings and Festivals.
As a dancer, he stands out for his agility and most of all for his endless creativity, which he bases in the ability of dominating the techniques and exploring the possibilities he’s being offered through the embrace and the release of the emotions.
Maria was born in Buenos Aires and raised in San Telmo, within a family of “tangueros”. When she was in her twenties she felt inspired by her deep love for the music and the poetry of her childhood and decided to start dancing it.
She first studied with Gustavo Benzecry Sabá, and soon after she became his assistant in class and later on his partner
She studied follower’s techniques with several prestigious dancers and learned even more from milonguero Masters that taught her about the emotion of the dance.
Her method combines the passion and love for the dance with a deep knowledge about anatomy and kinetics that she acquired from other disciplines such us yoga, stretching and Pilates.
She regularly teaches at Salón Canning and leads Workshops in other milongas and dance studios of the city. She also tours the world being part of Seminars, Festivals and performances.
Speaking English as a second language she teaches many students from all over the World, and in 2006 she translated Gustavo’s “Embracing Tango - Techniques and metaphors between tango and life” for what she got the recognition of many English speaking tango communities.
His knowledge of Tango music allowed her to be chosen as a DJ in several International events.
Her hallmark as a dancer is the Speedy and expressiveness of her feet, which she combines with the elegance of her walking and posture.
Maria and Gustavo met in 2003 in the occasion of a class Gustavo was teaching at a small dance Studio in Palermo.
Shortly after she became his assistant teacher at Salón Canning, there they started enjoying the pleasure of dancing together and sharing experiences they wouldn’t ever forget.
They learned how to know each other as dancers, teachers and human beings. Little by little, they discovered the love.
Today, they enjoy working together, they share their experiences and concepts, teach, and most important, they learn together from what they live, from their dances and from their students.
They’ve been teaching regular classes at Salón Canning for four years and they tour the world participating in Festivals and International Tango events.
In their classes, good spirit, kindness and warmth are the highlights. This way, they lead their students throughout a pleasant learning process. Gustavo brings wisdom and thoughtfulness as he projects serenity and patience. María injects energy, liveliness, passion and dynamism.
This way, they are the Yin and the Yang of an active and enjoyable teaching method.
When they dance, they show their love for each other, the happiness of sharing the warmth of a cozy embrace and the fantasy of a movie where the audience is nothing but an active member of the story.
