Tango is about listening and moving as one in each other’s arms. Join award-winning teacher Sonja Riket, as she helps you connect with yourself, your partners and the beautiful, rich Tango music from the Golden Era (1930-50’s). With the basic steps of the three styles and rhythms of the Argentine Tango, we will learn how to feel the music in our bodies and express it through our movements in an improvised dance. Cultural and historical elements will be woven into the teachings. Students are prepared for and encouraged to attend the CMC Mission Milongas (Argentine Tango social dance gatherings) held every second Saturday evening of the month in CMC’s Concert Hall. Each Mission Milonga has a drop-in dance class and dancing to recorded and live music from local and international tango groups including the CMC Tango Music Ensemble. After a long and worldwide professional dance career, Sonja Riket has taught Tango in the Bay Area for 17 years and regularly hosts Tango music and dance events. www.IntimateEmbraceTango.com
Ages: Adults, older teens
Instruments: Your body and comfortable low heel shoes with leather or suede soles (no rubber soles or sneakers)
Musical Styles: Tango, Vals, Milonga
Prerequisites: Please contact teacher for prerequisites: (415) 661-1852.
Wear comfortable low heel shoes with leather or suede soles (no rubber soles or sneakers please).
Class size: 4-20
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Mondays, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Instructor: Sonja Riket, Argentine Tango Teacher and Somatic Movement Therapist®
Tuition: $290 Summer (8 weeks), $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Learn to play cha-cha-chá, danzón, guaracha, bolero, son, salsa and other Afro-Cuban dance music in an ensemble setting. Charanga ensembles are known for playing Cuban music with European instruments such as violin and flute in addition to bass, piano, and Afro-Cuban percussion.
During the course of the class, students will have the opportunity to develop improvisational skills and deepen their understanding of diverse Afro-Cuban popular music forms. Emphasis will be given to the study of “clave” (a key Afro-Cuban rhythmic concept) and how it relates to each instrument, and to the style performed. The Cuban Charanga Ensemble is a performance- oriented ensemble. There will be winter and spring performances at CMC and in the community as opportunities arise.
Ages: Adults, older teens
Instruments: Voice, woodwinds, brass, violin, cello, bass, piano, and percussion (bongo, congas, guiro, claves, and timbales)
Musical Styles: cha-cha-chá, danzón, guaracha, bolero, son, salsa, and other Afro-Cuban music
Prerequisites: Proficiency on an instrument, reading skills, and interest in Latin music. Pianists should be able to play basic montunos and bassists should be able to play tumbao. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 6-15 students
Location, Day and Time:
Mission District Branch
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Tregar Otton
Tuition: $256 Summer (8 weeks), $469 Fall (14 weeks), $402 Winter (12 weeks), $335 Spring (10 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Enrollment in this class is by faculty approval. Please contact Tregar Otton at totton@sfcmc.org.
Develop a solid foundation on all of the major Latin percussion instruments through various musical styles and rhythms, including son, salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, Brazilian and timba. Learn technique on congas, bongos, timbales, bells, and additional minor percussion instruments. The class will explore soloing techniques and typical breaks, song forms, team work, and musicianship. Students will also work on singing while playing percussion. This class provides a good foundation for the Cuban Salsa Ensemble.
Ages: Adults, older teens
Instruments: Congas, bongos, timbales, bells, and other minor percussion instruments. Class is open to vocalists as well. Bring your instruments if you have them!
Musical Styles: Latin grooves typical of son, salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, Brazilian, Latin jazz and timba
Prerequisites: None
Class size: 4-6 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00pm
Instructor: Omar Ledezma Jr.
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks). Class does not meet during the Summer Quarter.
This class is not being offered Spring Quarter. Contact a Mission Branch registrar (415) 647-6015 for private lesson opportunities.
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Explore the unique style and techniques of Argentine tango. Students will use arrangements of classic tangos to learn musical, rhythmic and stylistic elements of tango performance practice and ensemble playing. Students will also learn a form of tango improvisation called “A La Parrilla.”
Ages: Adults, older teens
Instruments: Strings, winds, fretted instruments, piano, and accordion
Musical Styles: Tango, Vals, Milonga
Prerequisites: 2 years of instrument study or competency on your instrument
Class size: 4-10
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Mondays, 8:15-9:45pm
Instructor: Scott O’Day
Tuition: $290 Summer (8 weeks), $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please contact call the Mission District Branch registrar at (415) 647-6015.
If you’d like to be matched with other students in a small Latin music ensemble or receive coaching for an existing group, please fill out a Chamber Music Inquiry Form.
