Tango Butterfly

Tango Butterfly is a tango-only school founded by Dana Parker in Melbourne in December 2011, now based in the Northern Rivers area of NSW. The studio specialises in contemporary social Argentine Tango—tango as danced in the salons of Buenos Aires and experienced today around the world.

Dana Parker has taught tango in Australia since 2004 and has partnered with Australian and international tango professionals across two decades. She trained in both lead and follow roles across milonguero, salon, and nuevo styles. Her approach emphasises quality movement, connection, musicality and social etiquette. Dana's formal training spans modern and contemporary dance (matriculation), jazz, classical ballet, calisthenics, gymnastics, tae-kwondo, bellydance, yoga, qi gong, salsa, street latin and tap. She is trained as a Polestar Pilates Mat Instructor and Secret Elements Qi Gong Instructor, and holds an honours degree in European Studies from Adelaide University. She began dancing at age 2½ and toured internationally with the Australian Drill & Dance Team in her teenage years.

The studio's mission is to provide classes focusing on social tango that cover understanding roles in the dance (lead and follow), how connection is established through embodiment, the importance of musicality and timing, and awareness of etiquette in social tango. The ultimate goal is for students to experience tango at a Tango Milonga (social dance event). Classes serve as the learning ground, while practicas (practice sessions) act as a halfway house between classes and the milonga.

Classes and workshops run across multiple Northern Rivers venues: Murwillumbah Autumn Club (16 Tumbulgum Street), South Golden Beach Hall (2 Helen Street), and Brunswick Heads Memorial Hall (22 Fingal Street). The Tango FUN workshop series progresses through five levels: FUN I (absolute fundamentals: walk, embrace, posture, connection, direction changes and play), FUN II (ochos, giros and more play), FUN III (close embrace and musicality), and FUN IV and V (vals and milonga musicality). Introduction to Argentine Tango courses run through Byron Community College in 5-week blocks for absolute beginners and those reviewing fundamentals. Women-only classes are also offered. Private lessons are available for couples and singles seeking technical training.

If you're new to tango, expect to rotate partners in group classes and choose whether to lead or follow. Workshops and intro courses focus on the core fundamentals: how to walk, connect with a partner in embrace, and move to the music. You'll learn social etiquette and the basics needed to attend a practice session or social milonga after a few classes.

Dana Parker is the principal teacher and founder. She has danced professionally since age 2½ and has taught tango across Australia since 2004, including at tango festivals and in tours. She is trained in both lead and follow roles across milonguero, salon and nuevo styles.

Absolute beginners are welcome; the studio runs dedicated 5-week intro courses and Tango FUN I workshops specifically for those with no prior experience.