Why tango with Semiral?
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Biography by Francis Nowazynki - 2004
Semiral Tuncer hails from Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast, where he has
been instrumental in the development of the local tango community.
As a boy, Semiral had studied folkloric dancing and
later developed an interest in Latin dancing. He discovered tango as a
student in London, England. One night, he tagged along with a friend to his
first milonga where he met no less than Carlos Gavito, who would become his
first teacher and a lasting influence. The sight of the crowd moving to the
music enchanted him -- with tango, he had found the true passion of his life.
Semiral’s arrival in Vancouver in 1995 happened to coincide with the
earliest efforts to introduce Argentine tango in the city and he soon became
an active volunteer in the local community. He developed the conviction that
tango, at its heart, is a social dance and this inspired him to organize the
city’s first regular dance events. This involvement in the community has
since progressed into teaching, hosting workshops for visiting instructors
and establishing BailaTango Vancouver. Semiral has also toured in other
cities giving workshops performing with the Tango Paradiso orchestra.
Semiral is known for his clearly explained, step-by-step approach to
teaching as well as a patient and affable manner with students. He enjoys
exploring salon and nuevo styles but at the core of his method is a strategy
of building a solid foundation in the close-embrace milonguero style. The
close embrace requires the development of a particular posture and frame,
allowing the partners to experience an intimate connection and to move
intuitively to the music. Semiral gives dancers the ability to interpret the
music, navigate and improvise -- in other words, the essentials of good
social dancing.
Like any true aficionado of tango, Semiral has traveled widely and learned
his craft through study with masters in Buenos Aires and abroad. His mentors
cross a broad spectrum from the fiery panache and classic elegance of Carlos
Gavito to the traditional roots and primal essence of Susana Miller, the
creative magic of Metin Yazir and the playful innovations of Fabian Salas.
Other significant influences include Paul & Michiko, Christina Denisson,
Eric Jorissen, Pepito & Suzuki Avallenada, Mingo & Esther Pugliese, Daniela
& Armando, Cacho Dante and Omar Vega.
Semiral encourages beginners who would limit themselves to classes until
they “get better” to go out dancing from the start, and he equips them with
the skills they need to survive on a crowded dance floor. More advanced
students will experience the revelation that as one’s social dancing skills
are refined, the overall quality of one’s dancing improves. The ease,
musicality and fun that Semiral fosters will leave your partners wanting
more.
(below: Gavito, Marcela, Jojjea, Emma and Semiral in Vancouver 2000. Carlos Gavito was Semiral's very first teacher in 1993
further below: Semiral with tango legends Carlos Gavito, Pepito & Suzuki Avellande. London, UK 1993)
--------------------------------------------
Biography by Francis Nowazynki - 2004
Semiral Tuncer hails from Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast, where he has
been instrumental in the development of the local tango community.
As a boy, Semiral had studied folkloric dancing and
later developed an interest in Latin dancing. He discovered tango as a
student in London, England. One night, he tagged along with a friend to his
first milonga where he met no less than Carlos Gavito, who would become his
first teacher and a lasting influence. The sight of the crowd moving to the
music enchanted him -- with tango, he had found the true passion of his life.
Semiral’s arrival in Vancouver in 1995 happened to coincide with the
earliest efforts to introduce Argentine tango in the city and he soon became
an active volunteer in the local community. He developed the conviction that
tango, at its heart, is a social dance and this inspired him to organize the
city’s first regular dance events. This involvement in the community has
since progressed into teaching, hosting workshops for visiting instructors
and establishing BailaTango Vancouver. Semiral has also toured in other
cities giving workshops performing with the Tango Paradiso orchestra.
Semiral is known for his clearly explained, step-by-step approach to
teaching as well as a patient and affable manner with students. He enjoys
exploring salon and nuevo styles but at the core of his method is a strategy
of building a solid foundation in the close-embrace milonguero style. The
close embrace requires the development of a particular posture and frame,
allowing the partners to experience an intimate connection and to move
intuitively to the music. Semiral gives dancers the ability to interpret the
music, navigate and improvise -- in other words, the essentials of good
social dancing.
Like any true aficionado of tango, Semiral has traveled widely and learned
his craft through study with masters in Buenos Aires and abroad. His mentors
cross a broad spectrum from the fiery panache and classic elegance of Carlos
Gavito to the traditional roots and primal essence of Susana Miller, the
creative magic of Metin Yazir and the playful innovations of Fabian Salas.
Other significant influences include Paul & Michiko, Christina Denisson,
Eric Jorissen, Pepito & Suzuki Avallenada, Mingo & Esther Pugliese, Daniela
& Armando, Cacho Dante and Omar Vega.
Semiral encourages beginners who would limit themselves to classes until
they “get better” to go out dancing from the start, and he equips them with
the skills they need to survive on a crowded dance floor. More advanced
students will experience the revelation that as one’s social dancing skills
are refined, the overall quality of one’s dancing improves. The ease,
musicality and fun that Semiral fosters will leave your partners wanting
more.
(below: Gavito, Marcela, Jojjea, Emma and Semiral in Vancouver 2000. Carlos Gavito was Semiral's very first teacher in 1993
further below: Semiral with tango legends Carlos Gavito, Pepito & Suzuki Avellande. London, UK 1993)
