Esquina Tango

Esquina Tango is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural center founded in 2006 by co-founder Gustavo Simplis. Based in a converted East Austin church building at 209 Pedernales Street, the studio was deliberately established in a neighbourhood chosen for its cultural richness and accessibility, and was inspired by Argentina's La Boca with its colourful design. Over nearly 20 years, Esquina has offered almost 20,000 classes, close to 2,000 community events, and served nearly 200,000 people.

The studio teaches a wide range of Latin American dance styles through an average of 25 lessons per week—over 1,300 classes annually. Styles include Argentine tango (taught by co-founder Gustavo Simplis, who studied under Daniel "El Flaco" Garcia, Juan Carlos Copes, and Lorena Ermocida in Argentina), samba (taught by Melissa Corpus, who has trained with Patrick Carvalho, Ana Laidley, and members of Cia Dom and performed with G.R.E.S. Estação Primeira de Mangueira in Rio de Janeiro), salsa aerobics, Casino and Rueda de Casino (taught by Ashley Sherman), cumbia fusion and cumbia sonidera (Alberto Solorzano, with over 20 years of competitive and artistic dance experience), Afro-Latin and Afro-Cuban dance (Alfonso Alarcón, trained under Cuban instructors including Alexis Zanety), reggaeton and kizomba (Miranda Pacheco), and Spanish conversational classes (Carlos Amaro). The studio employs a team of 16 to 20 professional instructors and guest artists.

Esquina hosts 2 to 3 social events per week—over 130 events annually—including live music events, shows, socials, and milongas at both the main location and pop-up venues. The space is available for rentals. No partner is required for classes, and the first group lesson is free for new students. Group classes range from $20 drop-in for non-members to monthly unlimited passes at $120 for members; new students can try unlimited classes for one month for $70. Private lessons start at $85 for the first hour (new students) or $95 for subsequent sessions.

Esquina operates specialized community programmes including Senior Program classes, free LGBTQ+ tango classes (4-week workshops taught by instructors such as Monica Caivano), Tango for Parkinson's, and youth classes. The studio partners with Castle Hill Fitness to offer free community tango classes every Friday at 5:30pm led by Mickey Jacobs. Gustavo Simplis has taught Argentine tango at UT Informal Classes since 2015 and has brought free introduction to tango and social dances to bars and restaurants around Austin for 8 years as community service. Esquina also offers Spanish and Portuguese language classes alongside dance.

In December 2025, the City of Austin officially recognised Esquina Tango with a Proclamation Day celebration at Austin City Hall for uplifting cultural diversity and nurturing artistic spaces.

Walk into a vibrant, colourful space inspired by Argentina's La Boca. The studio runs 25 lessons a week across multiple styles and levels, with 2 to 3 social events weekly including live music, shows, and milongas. Your first group class is free; no partner needed.

A team of 16 to 20 professional instructors and guest artists teach across styles. Key names include co-founder Gustavo Simplis (Argentine tango, trained under Daniel "El Flaco" Garcia, Juan Carlos Copes, and Lorena Ermocida); Melissa Corpus (samba, trained with Patrick Carvalho and G.R.E.S. Estação Primeira de Mangueira); Ashley Sherman (Casino and Rueda de Casino); Alberto Solorzano (cumbia, 20+ years competitive and artistic experience); Alfonso Alarcón (Afro-Latin, trained under Cuban instructors); Miranda Pacheco (reggaeton and kizomba); Carlos Amaro (Spanish conversational); and Monica Caivano (LGBTQ+ tango).

Yes—the first group class is free, no partner required, and new students get unlimited classes for one month at $70.