The student organization TangoOSU has returned for Spring Quarter with a selection of Argentine tango classes for all skill levels, including the second quarter of its popular BOOTCAMP classes.
Don’t be fooled by the class title; BOOTCAMP is not the hardcore, military-style exercise course that the name suggests.
TangoOSU’s purpose is “to promote instruction and regular practice of Argentine tango at OSU, and serve the tango needs of Central Ohio,” according to the organization’s Web site.
The BOOTCAMP course was created to help students progress further and more quickly in their tango instruction by creating a core group of students who return to each session.
“We are trying to make it a closed group so people will come at the beginning and come every week and not just drop in periodically whenever they feel like it,” said Yuval DaYu, TangoOSU instructor.
“When people come we can advance,” DaYu said. “It’s the most efficient way.”
In addition to the Monday BOOTCAMP classes, TangoOSU offers a similar 1 credit-hour class on Wednesdays for students still looking to add a course. There are still openings in the class, DaYu said.
Allie Fair, a second-year in chemistry and anthropological science, has taken multiple classes offered by TangoOSU.
“A big difference was that the bootcamp class was a lot smaller and there were a lot of experienced people who came to help out,” Fair said in an e-mail. “This meant that we progressed faster and that Yuval could focus on what we as a class wanted to and needed to work on.”
This quarter will offer students an additional incentive to learn Argentine tango.
“During the second weekend of May we are bringing very celebrated dancers from Paris,” DaYu said. “We’re trying to get as many people to learn some of the basics to benefit the most from this.”
All students, from beginners to advanced dancers, can benefit from TangoOSU’s classes, DaYu said.
“What’s nice is you can always advance,” DaYu said. “There is always something to learn and improve even for those who are very experienced.”
“Argentine tango is a beautiful dance, but it requires lots of practice,” Fair said. “There is always more to learn.”
In addition to the more structured classes offered during the week, TangoOSU also offers students a chance to meet on Saturdays and practice in a more casual setting.
Saturday’s classes begin at 7 p.m. for beginners and 8 p.m. for intermediate students, and are followed by a dance party where students can try out what they’ve learned in class, DaYu said.
“On Saturday it’s more of a social activity,” DaYu said.
Alexander Plumage, a fourth-year in English, began in the BOOTCAMP classes and moved on from there.
“Pretty soon, I started to like what I was doing so much that I started going to Saturday lessons too,” Plumage said in an e-mail.
TangoOSU teaches primarily Ohio State students, but all students are welcome.
Students interested in learning tango are not required to provide their own partners for the class. Singles as well as couples are invited to all TangoOSU classes, according to the TangoOSU Web site.
Monday will be the last chance for new students to sign up for Spring Quarter’s BOOTCAMP course.
More information about TangoOSU, including schedules and pricing, can be found on its Web site, tango.osu.edu.