MAESTROS
There is no festival without the right maestros. We invite masters of tango salon who inspire with their dance, maestros of the maestros who raised many generations of tangueros and who share their knowledge generously.
Marcela Duran
& Dante Sanchez
We are thrilled to welcome two of the most celebrated artists in Argentine Tango — Marcela Durán and Dante Sánchez.
Marcela Durán, known worldwide as "The Woman of the Tango," is a living legend of the tango world. Born in Rosario, Argentina, she grew up immersed in tango through her father, a bandoneon player. Her greatest fame came through her long partnership with the legendary Carlos Gavito, with whom she developed a uniquely close embrace, gracing the world's greatest stages — from Broadway to the Spoleto Festival in Italy. The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that the hallmark of a great tango dancer can be found in the remarkable Marcela Durán.
Dante Sánchez is one of the most respected tango artists of his generation. He began dancing at the age of 10 and at just 19 became World Champion in Tango Salón at El Mundial de Tango in Buenos Aires. Since then, he has performed at festivals across the globe and is a highly sought-after teacher and judge, regularly invited to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Together, Marcela and Dante unite two generations of tango mastery — the timeless elegance of a Broadway legend and the electrifying precision of a World Champion. Don't miss their performances and workshops!
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See them dance.
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Ariadna Naveira
&Fernando Sanchez
On the dance floor, they exude lively and thrilling energy, full of charm and playfulness. Their musicality and intimacy on the dance floor is simply delightful.
They impress with their fresh approach that seamlessly combines tradition and creativity.
Drawing from many years of teaching experience in Buenos Aires and at festivals around the world, they perfected their workshop.
Gabriel Missé & Maru Rifourcat
We are delighted to welcome Gabriel Missé and Maru Rifourcat — internationally acclaimed Argentine dancers, choreographers, and master teachers who bring to the stage the living essence of authentic Argentine Tango.
Gabriel Missé was born in Buenos Aires and began dancing at the age of four under the guidance of legendary folkloric artists. As a child, he trained personally with the great masters of tango's golden age, including Carlos Rivarola, Miguel Ángel Zotto, and Antonio Todaro. He has performed in renowned productions such as Tango x2 and Forever Tango and appeared in film, and in 2015 he choreographed, directed, and presented his own show, Tango History, at New York City Center. For over a decade, he served as a juror for the Tango World Cup and the Metropolitan Tango Championships in Buenos Aires. Former New York Times chief dance critic Alastair Macaulay described him as "the Baryshnikov of Tango."
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Maru Rifourcat began her dance training at the age of four, building a strong foundation in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz. She studied at prestigious institutions in Argentina, Italy, and New York City, and her career spans theatrical productions, television, international tours, and serving as Dance Captain in cruise productions across Europe. After directing her own dance studio in Italy for a decade, she formed both a life and artistic partnership with Gabriel Missé.
Since 2018, Gabriel and Maru have toured worldwide as performers and educators, embodying a tango that honors tradition while speaking powerfully to the present — a dance rooted in the soul of Buenos Aires.
Join us for their performances and workshops!
See them dance.