Tango Northside

Tango Northside was founded to create a community of dancers in Cincinnati and the Midwest with an appreciation for the beauty and satisfactions that tango has to offer as a meaningful social activity and as a singular art form. The studio is located on the 3rd floor of the historic Hoffner Lodge, a building loaded with old-world charm.

The teaching program is systematic and progressive, with four levels of classes: Foundations A, Foundations B, Foundations C, and Post-Grad. All levels are taught by instructors with many decades of tango study and experience. The curriculum was developed by founder Michael Wizer, a product of his more than thirty years of study and teaching. Collectively, the teaching team has nearly 100 years of tango dancing and study, and over 50 years of teaching experience from novice to advanced level. Members of the team have studied and danced in Buenos Aires as well as numerous other national and international locations. The instructors bring additional expertise as musicians, choreographers, psychologists, educators, and community leaders, drawing from disciplines including wellness, recreational therapy, theater arts, and mindfulness. They also have backgrounds in ballet, modern, ballroom, Latin, swing, African, tap, hip-hop, and R&B.

Classes emphasize strong fundamental principles. Foundations A introduces new dancers to the tango embrace, traditional tango music, foundational figures, and the basics of navigating a social dance floor. Partners are not required, but students without a partner will be paired with another dancer and will learn both lead and follow roles. Foundations A & B drop-in classes focus on skills and figures needed for success at a social dance, including partner communication, floor navigation, and milonga codes. Foundations C & Post-Grad classes offer advanced topics designed to enhance vocabulary and hone skills.

Classroom learning is complemented by community practice. The Sunday practica runs 7–9pm and is designed not simply for dancing but for students to continue developing their skills in an environment where everyone helps everyone else. The studio hosts two monthly milongas and special events including the GP & Lorena Weekend Workshops (held 28–30 August). The milongas model music choices and structure as they do in the traditional milongas of Buenos Aires.

Private lessons are available for individuals or couples at $60 per hour with instructors Michael Wizer, Julie Barnett, and Brandon Craig. Gift cards are also available.

A free sample class introduces you to the basic movements and concepts of Argentine tango as a social dance with no partner or prior dance experience needed. Regular classes run Monday and Wednesday evenings for four-week series; drop-in summer classes also available. No street shoes are allowed; bring socks to dance in and wear comfortable, breathable clothes.

The teaching team includes founders Michael Wizer and Julie Barnett, alongside advanced instructors Tony Seta, Brandon Craig, and Nikki Downey. The Foundations A team includes Lindsey Cross, Colin Reusch, Rob Brodrick, Madhur Mirani, Celia Yost, Anna Maria Jardini, Hanna Williamson, and Lauren Luna. Collectively they have nearly 100 years of tango study and over 50 years of teaching experience.

Foundations A classes welcome newcomers with no prior dance experience; partners are not required and the studio pairs solo students with other dancers.