Level Definitions

This is an excerpt from Clay Nelson's website which he has kindly allowed me to use here. You can see the complete file here:

 www.claysdancestudio.com/WhatLevel/WhatLevelTangoDancerAmI.pdf

Beginner Argentine Tango Dancer

• Has had zero or less than one year of experience in dancing Argentine tango. This includes advanced professional and grand champion dancers who have not yet studied Argentine tango.

Minimum Criteria for the Intermediate Argentine Tango Dancer

• Has been dancing Argentine tango twice a week for at least one year

• Can hear and stay on the beat of traditional Argentine tango as well as vals and milonga

• Understands open and close embrace and can dance comfortably in both

• Leaders maintain line of dance and wait for the follower to complete her step before leading another

• Followers collect and wait for the lead

• Understands the concept of parallel and crossed feet and can lead or follow from one to the other

• Can correctly and consistently execute the following steps solo and with a partner in time to the music while maintaining ther own axis and balance : 

• Marking time ... walking forward / backward ... side steps ... check left turn ... crusada ... back ocho ... forward ocho ... ocho cortado ... molinete