Artists
Guillermo Merlo and Fernanda Ghi
Guillermo Merlo and Fernanda Ghi are one of the most prominent couples in the world of tango. Known for their style, interpretation and choreography, their credits include Tango Magic for PBS, Forever Tango on Broadway and Tango Dreams. Fernanda and Guillermo are known for their ability to command the stage and their very clear teaching technique.
They have a unique quality to convey to their audience and their students, covering the scope of tango emotions from intense passion to the comic. Individually or as a couple, the dynamic talent and achievements of Fernanda Ghi & Guillermo Merlo are the result of many years of study, preparation and dedication. Although already studying to have a career in classical ballet and modern dance, Fernanda began dancing Tango at the tender age of 13. Soon her passion for Argentine Tango superseded her other professional goals. On the stage dancing Argentine Folkloric and modern dance, Guillermo was only 12 when he encountered Tango.
Pursuing dance at an early age, they both encountered tango in their teens and did not meet until their 20’s when they already had in common an intense need and desire to dance tango. Since 1998, Fernanda and Guillermo perform and teach every year in over thirty cities in the United States, as well as Canada, Europe and Asia. Chicago has been fortunate to have them share their talents here at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 International Chicago Tango Fests.
Jorge Torres
Jorge Torres is a world-renowned tango choreographer, dancer, and impresario of dance productions. He is amazing to behold on the dance floor, with his smooth and quiet dance style. His refined talents and style place him among the outstanding choreographers and dancers of Argentine Tango. Before graduating as a teacher of dances, Jorge began his career in the Theater Colon. He has studied with famous dancers and teachers of Argentine Tango such as Norberto Guichanduc, Rodolfo Dinzel, Pepito Avellaneda and Antonio Todaro. He has danced in the most noted tango houses and theaters of Argentina and to renowned orchestras of tango. He Has participated in such shows as "Imagenes", "Tango y añoranzas", "La pesada del tango", " Tangokinesis ", Tanguisimo 91", "Tango Tango", "Viva Tango", "Tango Passion", "Buenos Aires tango show", "Tango Seduccion".
Jorge is well known for his dancing and choreography in the stage show “Forever Tango”, where he has been the Troupe, Dance Captain (Principal Dancer) for ten years. Since joining the show in 1995, his choreography has been nominated for a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Outer Critics Circle. He has recorded with Karen Kain "A Evaristo Carriego" for CBC, Canadian Broadcasting Company, directed by Luis Bravo. He has coordinated shows such as "World Tango Week 2002" in Tokyo and "Tango Legend" summoning the best figures every year. He has participated as an invited dancer next to the Sexteto Mayor in Santiago's Municipal Theater - Chile. In 2003, Jorge was chosen to assemble the jury for the first Tango Dance World Championship (Campeonato Mundial de baile de tango) held in Buenos Aires.
Jorge Torres currently is the Artistic Director for the American Tango Institute, in Chicago, Illinois, and divides his time between teaching workshops in Chicago, teaching in New York and performing in Forever Tango worldwide.
Elizabeth Olivera
Elizabeth Olivera has been dancing and teaching tango since 2000 in her hometown of Buenos Aires and around the world. She has danced in numerous shows and exhibitions in Argentina, including "Madero Tango" en Puerto Madero, "Bar Sur" in San Telmo, "Taconeando", "La Ventana" at the famous Casa de Tango, and more recently in the acclaimed spectacular show, “Argentina Tango on Stage”.
Elizabeth is the founding partner, artistic director and choreographer of the E.O.P. Tango Company, based in Buenos Aires. She is also the co-director and instructor of the Argentine tango school, 2 Para el Tango, at which some of the best known dancers and teachers in tango hold classes. For four years she served as an Assistant teacher at the International Tango Congress (CITA) in Buenos Aires.
From the many great Argentinean teachers with whom she has formally studied, Elizabeth has developed a teaching style that focuses on creating an understanding of the aesthetics, body dynamics and discipline that support the dancing of tango.