Avik Basu
Avik specializes in teaching social tango emphasizing connection, musicality, and improvisation. He has come to be known for his clear explanations which expose the core of any tango idea whether it be about movement or musicality. In addition to his regular classes in Ann Arbor, he has taught all over North America and beyond. Some of the more interesting tango adventures he's been on include a month-long immersion in Buenos Aires, teaching tango to a Bollywood actress in Mumbai, India, and touring the U.S. with tango band Trio Folias. Despite this experience, he continues to have a vivid memory of what it was like to start learning this challenging dance and this aids his teaching in a profound way.
An eternal tango student, Avik has taken classes from dancers in many tango traditions. The teachers who have left their mark most clearly are Gustavo Naveira, Susana Miller, Alex Krebs, and Robin Thomas. And in great measure, he has been guided by his experiences with his many talented students.
In his other life, Avik is nearing the end of his Ph.D. in Environmental Psychology at the University of Michigan. If you're curious about what that is, feel free to ask--he enjoys trying to explain that almost as much as he likes to explain sacadas and boleos.
Marika Landry
Originating from Quebec, Canada, Marika Landry has resided in Montreal since 2003. She was drawn to dance at an early age, studying jazz, modern and classical techniques. In 1997 she turned her full attention to Argentine Tango. Marika has studied with and been influenced by many tango masters and has rapidly gained an international professional reputation. Since 2004 she has toured Europe on 4 occasions, teaching and performing in Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy.
Recognized for her precision, fluidity and interpretive range, Marika is often sought to teach technique for women. In class she shares techniques to help one achieve relaxed postural balance and to develop controlled articulation and correct placement of the body and feet for directional accuracy as well as attractive lines, poetic ornamentation and ease in complexity and rhythm. She is also concerned with heightening ones sensitivity to connection and the subtle transference of cues between partners. With a strong belief that through tango a woman can express her femininity, Marika inspires sensuality and elegance. In keeping, Marika has also studied fashion design and construction and now blends her two passions by creating beautiful tango evening wear under her label Talon Aiguilles.
Partnering with Bulent Karabagli since 2002, they appeared in performance with the orchestras, Color Tango and Narcotango at the 2005 Montreal International Tango Festival and have taught and continue to teach workshops together worldwide. Marika has made four television appearances dancing tango and in 2004 she spent 4 months in Argentina deepening and perfecting her craft. A new love and great joy for her is dancing the Argentinian folkloric dances. She has spent time studying these styles in Santiago del Estero and with the Montreal dancer Luis Lopez with whom she now performs and teaches.