How did a policeman’s son from a small town in Argentina become one of the UK’s leading tango coaches? Here’s how David’s tango story unfolded …
DAVID’S EARLY LIFE AND TRAINING
Hailing from Formosa in northern Argentina, David’s dance journey began in his early teens with Argentine folk dance.
When he was 17, he transitioned to classical ballet and formed the dream to become a professional dancer. Within a year, he moved to Buenos Aires, knowing nobody but a distant relative. To him, it was a foreign land.
David’s father wanted him to pursue a career in the police and knew nothing of David’s plans. Without funds for his training, David offered to clean an elite private ballet school in return for his training. He borrowed a bike and cycled 2 hours a day to and from his relative’s house, to clean the studio and take intensive classes.
His resourcefulness and dedication earned him a place at El Taller de San Martin, Argentina’s premier contemporary ballet school, known for its rigorous training and high standards. Upon graduation, David joined El Ballet De San Martin, an internationally acclaimed dance company. He later became a soloist with the company of esteemed Argentine ballet dancer Maximiliano Guerra, touring internationally and gaining exposure to various dance forms, including tango.
DAVID’S TANGO STORY BEGINS
David’s tango story started when introduced to a ballet/tango fusion project with tango performer Mora Godoy (famous for dancing with President Obama on an official visit to Argentina!) Even with his classical training, he found tango’s complexity both challenging and captivating. Determined not just to master the new dance form, but to understand its fascinating nuances, he studied under Buenos Aires’ most renowned maestros, notably Osvaldo Zotto and Lorena Ermocida, who mentored him and appointed him as their teaching assistant. This mentorship provided David with invaluable insights into tango’s nuances. His proficiency led to performances with Tango Por Dos, one of the world’s leading tango companies.
DAVID’S TANGO STORY WITH KIM
In 2005, David met Kim, who had been studying tango in Buenos Aires for several years. Their personal and tango stories merged, culminating in their marriage and the establishment of a joint tango career. In 2007, they founded Tango Movement in London, where they have been teaching Argentine tango together. Their synergy on the dance floor and shared teaching philosophy have made them one of the UK’s leading tango couples.
TANGO ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
David and Kim have been recognised for their excellence in both performance and instruction. They were voted LUKAS Tango Teachers and Tango Performers of the Year for two consecutive years. Their expertise has been showcased through interviews with the BBC and Argentine media, and they have performed on ITV to an audience of 10 million viewers. Their commitment to fostering a welcoming and comprehensive learning environment has cultivated a vibrant tango community in London.
PHILOSOPHY AND TEACHING APPROACH
David emphasises the elegance, connection, and creativity intrinsic to authentic tango salon. He advocates for the beauty of simplicity in tango, focusing always on the dance’s rich cultural roots. Together with Kim, he strives to create a nurturing atmosphere for all students, guiding them through their own tango stories with personalised attention, care and above all, passion.
RETURNING TO HIS DANCE ROOTS
David has many people to thank for his journey. He’d like to take the opportunity to thank his first ballet instructor Teresa Donkin who believed – and continues to believe – in him. It was a joy and an honour to return to his home town last summer to speak on television with her and at a tango event organised by the minister of culture – click to view the video!
