Netza Roldan: A Visionary of Tango as Culture, Art, and Spiritual Expression
Netza Roldan is far more than a Tango instructor — he is a master architect of human transformation through the profound language of Argentine Tango and his ethereal approach to movement and connection. With decades of dedication, Netza has developed a singular and innovative methodology that transcends technique, inviting his students on a journey of self-expression, cultural immersion, and spiritual awakening.
Drawing from a rich academic and professional foundation in psychomotor skill development, rhythm and movement, psychosocial human development, physical conditioning, biomechanics, and plyometric training, Netza fuses body, mind, and spirit into every class. His teaching is grounded in a holistic vision: that the true essence of Tango is not simply learned, but lived — as a culture, an art form, and a mirror of the human soul.
His teaching journey began years ago on the athletic fields of Mexico and the United States, coaching young athletes in Little League, high school, and collegiate levels, including at the University of Houston. A pioneer well ahead of his time, Netza introduced ballet and rhythm-based exercises into athletic training — promoting not only strength, but grace, body intelligence, flexibility, balance, coordination, and emotional expression.
Bringing this visionary integration into Tango, Netza guides his students to project, connect, and move not merely with precision, but with intention and meaning. His classes go beyond choreography — they awaken awareness, confidence, emotional authenticity, and inner resilience. Through his guidance, dancers uncover untapped dimensions of themselves, experiencing the transformative power of Tango to heal, empower, and elevate.
Beyond Tango dance, Netza also offers special sessions for those who wish to explore the ethereal and spiritual aspects of movement. Drawing from his ancestral philosophy and cultural formation, he incorporates pre-Hispanic concepts such as the Nahuali — the belief in a personal animal spirit connected to each individual. These sessions help students understand their unique energy and presence, using examples like the grounding walk of the feline or the elevated sensitivity of birds. By embracing this deeper connection to self and others, dancers learn to project and move with spiritual awareness, honoring both their own nature and the energetic interplay within the dance.
Netza’s artistic, dance and teaching journey has been shaped by some of the most revered Tango masters worldwide. Eduardo and the late Gloria Arquimbau instilled in him a deep reverence for the tradition, history, and composition of the dance. Paulo Araujo taught him mastery in body mechanics, projection, and rotational control. And Chicho Frumboli inspired his embrace of contemporary interpretation, encouraging creative freedom and a deeply personal voice in the dance.
As the founder and pioneer of the American Tango Institute in Chicago, Netza Roldan has been at the forefront of cultivating and innovating the city’s Tango experience. Through festivals, workshops, educational initiatives, and cultural events, he has made an indelible mark — creating spaces where dance is not only an art form but a celebration of human connection.
Above all, Netza holds a profound conviction: that Tango is a path to inner transformation — a living art that invites each dancer to move through life with greater awareness, passion, and compassion.
For Netza, Tango is not simply taught.
It is ignited, awakened, and lived.