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About Sonny and Nancy Newman
Sonny and Nancy combine their
talents together to offer some of the best Tango instruction in the Pacific Northwest. Sonny, with his strong creative
talent, professional dance background and passion for Argentine Tango, brings an unsurpassed wealth of experience to
the classroom setting. (there's more info about Sonny's thoughts on Tango at the bottom of this page).
Nancy, blending her dance background of east coast swing, lindy hop and most recently, during the past 9
years immersed in Argentine Tango, focuses on the relationship between the two dancers in balance, connection and movement. Together,
Sonny and Nancy Newman form a dance partnership rich in generosity in sharing their love of dance with you.
Sonny Newman
Dancer, teacher, choreographer, Sonny Newman received much of his dance
training at Juilliard School of Music and Dance and at other professional studios in New York City. While in New York
he trained under Jose Limon, Antony Tudor and many other great figures in the dance world. He has studied tango in Argentina
and lives in Seattle where he specializes in Argentine Tango.
He has been a guest instructor at Yale, Princeton,
UCLA, for The Fuex Follets in Montreal, and the University of Arizona and has been on staff at the University of Colorado
and artist in residence in dance for the Seattle Parks and Recreation department. For the past sixteen years, Sonny has specialized
in Argentine Tango, its history, poetry and dance. He is the founder of the large movement towards Argentine Tango in Seattle
nearly twenty years ago. Sonny and his wife Nancy enjoy teaching group and private lessons, choreography and performing.
An exacting teacher, Sonny asks much of his students, and attentive
pupils respond with a demonstration of ability that surprises some and pleases all. To his teaching Sonny brings over 58 years
of dance experience, a knowledge of the history and culture which inspire dance, and an abiding love for music.
Nancy
Newman, teaches Argentine Tango, both in group and private class settings, as well as private lessons of swing and
waltz, and also shares her love of music by deejaying the Variety Dances, Blues Night, and most Tango dances. She blends
her appreciation of music, dance and healing arts to offer some of the finest instruction in dance and movement. Additionally,
she is a licensed massage practitioner and practices Structural Integration massage and bodywork from her home-based
office in Fremont. – more info available at her website www.nancy-newman.com.
Questions? Email Sonny & Nancy Newman
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| Sonny in his famous sound booth |
Sonny's Thoughts on Tango
"Tango is intimate communication
and connection between two embracing dancers that uses no words. It is sensual without necessarily being sexual.
Within the boundaries of a very few rules, the dance is open to endless creativity. The wide spectrum of its music ranges
like human emotions -- sometimes playful or passionate, other times sad or melancholy, occasionally fierce and angry.
Tango is a living dance and, like
life itself, is evolving. It has moved in a most civilized fashion fromits early origin of being a dance of dominance
and submission to one of invitation and acceptance. The invitation being extended from the man's center, the acceptance
coming from the woman's center. I think of each tango as having its own life and breath.
To me, the endearing aspects of
the dance are the ebb and flow of partners moving together and apart, the dynamics of tension and release, and the pleasure
of having just spent three minutes closely sharing a "Tango Moment."
Love of music and dance has been
the foundation of my life since my earliest years. After nearly 40 years as both teacher and performer of a wide variety of
ethnic and social dances, I was personally transformed when first introduced to Argentine tango. The music and movement
of this fascinating dance spoke to my soul like none before, and I felt compelled to pursue it. Nearly 20 years have
passed since I was first introduced to the tango, and it is still the pervading force in my life today."
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| Sonny Newman |
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