Bios
MICHAEL ESPINOZA
Michael has been dancing 27 years & was initially trained by Ken & Sheila Sloan & Jill Morton Erwin as a competitor in the International Ballroom dance arena. Dancing & teaching Argentine Tango since 1986, Michael has taken instructions from some of the most renowned Argentine dancers & teachers. He has been primarily dedicated to the incomparable styles of two tango masters, now deceased, Orlando Paiva Sr. and Carlos Gavito. Michael trained with Orlando from 1986 to 1988 when Orlando went back to live in Rossario, Argentina.
Michael Espinoza and Yolanda Rossi danced and taught Argentine Tango as a couple from August 1994, 'til January 2003.
Yolanda is an Argentine former Ballet & Flamenco dancer with the exposure to tango since her early years. She has had the privilege of dancing & receiving instructions from some of the world's best known dancers & masters of Tango Argentino.
In 1996, Michael and Yolanda flew to Santiago de Chile to train as a couple with Orlando. Arrangements were made to promote and organize Orlando's return to the United States with Michael and Yolanda. In that same year, the great Juan Carlos Copez recognized Orlando Paiva Sr. to be the best tango dancer. Many events were organized to promote Orlando, the main being Tango Splash & the production of a Basic Vol.1 & Intermediate Vol. 1 Teaching Videos & DVD's.
Yolanda & Michael took intensive private tango instructions with the late world Tango Masters Orlando Paiva & Carlos Gavito and combined their styles of dancing & teaching. Since October 1994, Michael & Yolanda have been teaching throughout Los Angeles, Orange County and Thousand Oaks. They also sponsor for their students some of the best Argentine dancers & instructors like Orlando Paiva, the fabulous Sandor/Tiffany, Carlos Gavito/ Marcela Duran of Forever Tango, Minam/Hugo, Francisco/Natalia, Marcos/Zita, Nito/Elba, Facundo and Kely, etc. As performers, Michael & Yolanda have been participating in the best Tango shows:
- Tango Splash,
- Romancing the Tango,
- Cabaret Tango,
- Luminarias Tango Glamour Night,
- Aqui Argentina at the CECUR Cultural Center in Mexico,
- Julio Iglesias CD promotional tour at the Los Angeles Bonaventure Hotel,
- Buenos Aires Ball with the Los Angeles Master Chorale singers and Lalo Schifrin at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel,
- The City of Los Angeles Tango Festival in Hollywood, and solo presentations.
- Performers & Presenters of their Tangosplash Show for the Latino Festival in the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre for Los Angeles Country Arts Commission 2002
- Performer in the Grand Finale of the Toyota's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration 2002
As promoters they have hosted Milongas and Bailongos (general dancing) throughout the city and are the presenters and creators of the fabulous tango event Tango Splash at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1996. Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy and understand better the elegance of the authentic Tango with Michael Espinoza - See class schedule.
Specialties
Michael offers a smooth, elegant and distinctive style with the authentic romantic flavor of Argentine Tango. Michael takes great pride in having developed his own style of teaching. Michael teaches men to lead and women to follow, not pattern memorization.