From our Organizers and Colleagues:
Earl P.N. Duque - Sent on November 6th 2007
Andrea and Gato,
Thank you so much for making the effort of coming all the way to
Prescott, Flagstaff and Jerome. The community really appreciated your
teaching and the knowledge that you shared with us this weekend. Delisa and I especially enjoyed our private lessons with you and learned considerably from working directly with you and Gato. I hope your journey back home has gone well and I look forward to your next visit.
Cheers,e.
Rita Yanson, from Sacramento, CA - Tango Instructor -
Sent on July 7th 2007
I was mesmerized by Gato and Andrea's crystal style ever since I saw them dance for the first time. That was long before I could execute a proper forward ocho, not to mention back sacadas. Ever since then, I have anticipated Gato and Andrea's return to Sacramento like a school kid anticipates a summer vacation, and adult - a salary raise, an older couple - the next cruise.
The geometry of Gato's feet revels any proof of a theorem. Andrea's spotless execution of boleos makes you gasp for air. There is no other couple, in my opinion (and everybody knows how objective my opinions are), that allows the spirit of tango transcend through their bodies as Gato and Andrea. They are the classical idiom of tango in its permanent improvisational transformation. Gato and Andrea is where Piazola and Di Sarli meet.
On the more mundane note, this is what my strict recommendation to the Sacramento community is: pull out those saved tango bucks from the pillow case and invest them into the best tango-learning experience ever. I promise you a 200% return on this investment. If any of you has ever benefited from my TT (technique torture), do not thank me - thank Andrea - my tango mentor and my beloved friend. Have I mentioned that Gato and Andrea are both supreme human beings on top of being supreme tango professionals? If you need to test that proposition for yourself, try their tango tours. You will feel that you have second parents and any need for psychotherapy will become absolete.
“El Gato” (Hugo Valdez) and Andrea Monti have been and continue to be the most significant influence on Rita's approach to tango in terms of style, teaching methodology and the level of professionalism that this unique couple brings to the dance. Training with Andrea Monti has been both the best challenge and the deepest source of satisfaction. Rita and Paul are grateful for the opportunity to have performed with Gato and Andrea.
Rusty Cline, from Tucson, AZ- Tango instructor
Sent on May 14, 2007
Hola Amigos!
I want to thank you both for a great lesson. It has been a long time since I was challenged like that.
To Gato I want to say THANK YOU for addressing my musicality. Seldom do I tell a student something and they immediately become different because of the information, but when it happens it always makes me feel like I am doing my job.
So I wanted you to know: I have danced differently since the moment that lesson ended. I feel and am moving much more lyrical - you launched my musicality into a new level.
I can tell Joanne has more opportunity to express her musicality and she is happy for that, too. And not just Joanne but all the ladies I dance with. Thank you sir!
¡Ésta es prueba para mí, que usted es el amo del tango! ¡Gracias tan muy mucho!
I hope my Spanish works but just in case... This is proof for me that you are the tango master! Thank you so very much!
If you ever need a host when you come back to Tucson, please feel free to contact us.
Love, Light & Respect,
Rusty Cline
PJ Grant, from Chicago - Sent on February 26th 2006
Dear Tango Friends in Michigan and Northern Wisconsin:
As you may know, we have the pleasure of hosting Gato & Andrea in
Chicago this weekend - actually for a full week. We met them a
year-and-a-half ago at the Portland TangoFest and have been working to bring them here because we found them to be delightful instructors and individuals. Through a couple of scheduling snafus on my part and the advance scheduling for this trip, I was impressed by Andrea's professionalism, tact, sincerity and general communication skills. While we obviously make it a point to bring only instructors whom we hold in high regard, we're never sure if our local community will have the same impression.
From the moment Gato & Andrea arrived last Wednesday, it's been a
professional and personal delight to have them as visiting instructors and as house guests. I admit I was concerned about the timing of their visit when Chicago's favorite visiting instructor - Paulo Araujo - extended his January trip into February. Thankfully, Gato & Andrea's social dancing and showcase on their first night in town established the interest and momentum. Our workshops had excellent attendance with many students taking the entire series and others changing weekend plans to accommodate 1 or more classes. As we concluded tonight, several attendees requested we bring them back to Chicago again soon. Gato & Andrea's instruction was progressive, challenging and clearly communicated. They took time to make sure each attendee grasped the movements, emphasizing musicality and technique over "steps".
If you'd like more information, please contact me.
Regards,
Phoebe J. Grant
Karel, from Perth, Australia - Sent on October 24th 2006
Dear Andrea
Please excuse my Spanish - I have “muchísmo” to learn . . .
Cómo estás? I hope you are enjoying your tour but am sure you will be happy to settle at home ~
I've been so busy with work and tango and sorry I have taken so long to write to you - but I haven't forgotten you. You are an absolutely beautiful tango dancer! Everything about you is good - your footwork, style, teaching style, attitude and personality and it was a pleasure to spend time with you while you were here in Perth. I would like to have had more lessons with you but it was a busy time.
Barry also is full of praise for you also and reminds me of my lesson with you when we practice together. You are a role model for me as I would love to dance like you - you have the longest legs!!! and you use them well and you are an inspiration to me.
You're a beautiful woman so take care of you and be happy. I'll contact you when I get to BA.
Hasta luego
Karel
Angela and Andi from Newcastle, England - Sent on June 24 2005
Dear tango organizers,
We are Angela & Andi from Tango on Tyne ( www.tango-on-tyne.co.uk ) and organize tango classes and workshops in Newcastle.
We would like to share with you a good tip and an excellent experience we had with a couple of Argentine tango teachers who visited us in May 2006; Andrea Monti & Hugo (Gato) Valdez.
Andrea & Gato taught five workshops over three days: three classes of Tango, one of Milonga and one of Vals. They emphasized posture, walking technique and musicality in all sessions.
The feedback of the participants has been excellent. They appreciated the structure and speed of the lessons and the clarity of the teaching from both the didactic and language point of view.
Andrea & Gato are very lovely and professional people to work with and we can with no doubts suggest their names for your next events. They have worked a lot in the US and many other countries worldwide for the last eight years.
They plan to come back in January/February 2007 and we already booked them for more workshops in Newcastle.
Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have any query.
We hope you are going to enjoy their classes soon.
Un abrazo tanguero,
Angela & Andi
Tango on Tyne
