American Tango Institute is the leading center for Argentine tango instruction in Chicago, founded by master teacher Netza Roldán. We offer social tango classes, monthly milongas, cultural events, and a unique methodology that connects body, mind, and soul through the art of the embrace. With over 20 years of history, ATI has been a reference point in the tango scene, blending tradition, technique, and artistic expression. Learn tango in Palatine, Wheeling, and Des Plaines, with classes for all levels. Discover how tango can transform your life and join a vibrant and passionate community.

ATI – Teaching Philosophy 2025

Learn to Dance. Learn to Connect. Learn to Express.

At the American Tango Institute, we believe in teaching you how to truly dance, not simply how to mimic steps or repeat memorized patterns. Our approach is based on the understanding that Argentine Tango is more than a dance — it is a form of personal expression, a way to connect deeply with yourself, with the music, and with another person.
 
Our teaching method draws from years of experience in body mechanics, rhythm, and psychosocial development. We help you develop the tools to align your body and mind so that you move with clarity, intention, and emotional presence. Only by establishing this inner connection can you genuinely interpret the music and communicate your feelings through movement.
 
Rather than emphasizing repetition, we focus on building body awareness, balance, projection, and responsiveness. We teach you how to own your movement and share it — to propose and to listen, to invite, propose and to accept and respond, to give and to receive, and to create a silent conversation with your partner through the embrace.
 
You will learn to walk with confidence, change direction with control, embrace with meaning, and move with purpose. Once you master these essential foundations, your dancing becomes a reflection of your inner self — free, expressive, and deeply personal.
 
At ATI, we teach you not just how to tango — we teach you how to experience tango as a living art that grows with you, challenges you, and ultimately transforms you.
 
You don’t just learn the dance.
You live it. You feel it. You Tango.