ABOUT
Diego Santana:
Diego first discovered his love for Tango in 2002 when a friend invited him to a Milonga in his native Uruguay. He instantly fell head over heels for Tango, and you couldn’t keep him off the dance floor! This passion led him on a twenty-year journey of exploring different styles and possibilities within Tango. He has traveled to Tango festivals across the country and studied with many world-renowned instructors. Always striving to improve his style, he continuously learns and researches with teachers like "Chicho" Mariano Frumboli, Sebastian Arce, Gustavo Naveira, Homero Ladas, Esteban Cortez, Omar Correa, Aoniken Quiroga, and Alejandra Martinian, among others.
His creativity, extraordinary musicality, and interpretation have made him one of the greatest Uruguayan Tango exponents. His style is an indescribable mix of Traditional Tango and New Tango. On the dance floor, Diego is known for his ingenious interpretation of the Milonga genre. Complementing his artistic training, Diego also has a background in Theatre from the school of Hugo Blandamuro.
Teacher:
In 2004, Diego decided that Tango was too exciting to keep to himself and began teaching. His approach embraces a wide range of styles that inspire continuous exploration of Tango’s many facets. Diego currently teaches Tango in South Florida with various partners. His classes are known for their dynamic and engaging nature, blending technical precision with expressive creativity. Diego's teaching philosophy is centered around the idea that Tango is a conversation between partners, emphasizing connection, musicality, and the joy of dance.
Shows:
Diego has performed with multiple partners for several dance companies and entertainment productions. Highlights of his career include performing in the Andrea Bocelli show on Telemundo, a Tango show for Emilio Estefan with Gabrielle Anwar (actress from "Scent of a Woman"), and "Enamorados del Tango" in New York. He has also showcased his talent in Miami Contemporary Dance, Brazilian Carnival, Top 1 Entertainment, Tango in Motion, and Dance South Florida. His theater performances include Catarsis (Miami), "El Galpón" (Uruguay), and the XV International Tango Festival in Montevideo. Diego was a special guest at the 2nd Tango Marathon in Miami and Argentina, and he performed at the Chicago Tango Festival, Louisville Tango Festival, Montana Tango Festival, Charleston Tango Festival, West Palm Beach Tango Festival, and the Uruguayan Festival in Lake Worth. Diego has also performed at prestigious venues such as the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Manuel Artime Theatre, Julius Littman Performing Arts Theatre, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Pembroke Pines, West Palm Beach, and countless hotels and restaurants in Florida.
Movies:
Diego starred in "The Cumparcita," a project commissioned by the Uruguayan Consulate and Matos Rodriguez's granddaughter, who was the author of the famous Tango song. This experience allowed Diego to merge his dance skills with acting, bringing the rich history of Tango to life on screen.
DJing:
As a Tango DJ, Diego has played at the Chicago Mini Festival, New Orleans Tango Marathon, Charleston Tango Festival, and several Milongas across the USA. He plays a mix of traditional, nuevo, and alternative Tango songs, believing that a wide variety of music keeps dancers happy, inspired, and open to endless exciting possibilities on the dance floor. Diego strives to take dancers on a journey where they can experience all kinds of moods, from upbeat and fast to smooth, sentimental, and nostalgic. His DJ sets are crafted to create an immersive experience, blending the rhythms and melodies that make Tango such a captivating dance. Diego has been a resident DJ at the Tapas y Tintos Milonga every Monday, where his music selections are eagerly anticipated by the local Tango community.
Milongas:
In 2011, Diego began working at the "Tapas y Tintos" Milonga, "Tangocho" Milonga, and occasionally at "La Baldosa" Milonga, "La Ideal" Milonga, and C.I.T.A., contributing to the growth of the alternative Tango scene in Miami. His efforts have helped to foster a vibrant and inclusive Tango community, where dancers of all levels feel welcome to explore and express themselves through Tango.
Tango Shoes:
Exciting news for Tango enthusiasts! Diego is working on bringing high-quality Tango shoes directly from Argentina. These shoes are designed for comfort and style, perfect for dancers who want to look and feel their best on the dance floor. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting venture, and get ready to step into the world of Tango with the finest footwear.
Graphic Design for Tango:
With a background in fine art and design, Diego has combined his two strongest passions—Art and Tango—to offer graphic design services for the Tango community. Whether you're a Milonga or festival organizer, instructor, or dance studio owner, Diego can help bring your vision to life with stunning promotional materials. From flyers and business cards to website graphics and more, Diego's designs capture the elegance and energy of Tango. Contact him to discuss your next project and make your Tango event stand out with beautiful, custom-designed graphics.