After 15 months of studying Argentine Tango in group classes with LA Tango Academy, my only regret is not finding it sooner. Through a progressive curriculum, the courses offer a great balance of theory/tips, demonstration, and practice with various (rotating) partners. You do not have to come with a partner unless you wish to. The classes have kept me engaged, curious to learn more while challenging me as well. In my opinion, the amount of time dedicated to each concept before moving on to the next is just right. You have the option to customize your learning path by attending classes, practice sessions (practicas), milongas, or a combination of these. There are various package deals to choose from (one popular monthly membership allows you to take prior " level " classes for reinforcement as you desire). LATA's new location, Motivo L.A., is an absolutely beautiful studio where you will meet a warm and fun community of like-minded students. Thank you Emma and Richard! read more

LA Tango Academy is a great place to learn tango! The teachers are all exceptional tango dancers and great at giving clear instructions/feedback. The classes are structured in a progressive way and always focus on fundamentals so you're always improving. You're also allowed to retake the previous level classes so you can absorb the fundamentals even more. If you're curious about learning tango, this is a great place to do it! read more

My biggest tango regret is not finding LA Tango Academy sooner!! I am so pleased with the progress I'm making through a combination of group classes and private lessons. Liz, Emma, and Richard are incredibly talented and engaging instructors. They do such a fantastic job of describing, demonstrating, and cueing optimal movement mechanics. LATA has given me the tools to better understand how small adjustments can vastly improve the look and FEEL of the dance. The technique course in particular is providing some much-needed structure and consistency in my tango (and life, lol). I continue to be impressed by how artfully Liz, Emma, and Richard layer in progressively more complex drills and relate them back to the theme of the lesson. I feel equal parts fuzzy and empowered at the end of each class I wholeheartedly recommend LA Tango Academy to anyone who is prepared to invest time and energy into something that will literally transform their tango! Thank you LATA read more

Absolutely the best! I truly cannot recommend Emma, Richard and Liz highly enough. Since moving to LA a few years ago LA Tango Academy quickly became my favorite place to be for dancing. The instruction is excellent and is expertly tailored to any level. Whether you want to work on technique or take private lessons or even improve your physical fitness, they've got you covered!! Not only is LA Tango Academy a school for learning tango, it's a warm and inviting community. Even in the pandemic they've created a comprehensive online training program and offer a wide array of zoom classes so we can all stay connected and current in our dancing. I'm so grateful to Emma, Richard and Liz for the time, love and expertise they put into LA Tango Academy. If you're looking for a place to learn, dance, grow and connect, you've definitely found it! read more

As a former competitive dancer (in other styles) I am admittedly a bit snobby when it comes to dance classes, but the skill level, professionalism and vibe of LA Tango Academy's teachers is exactly what I was hoping to find. The other students are kind and the group classes are very helpful to get you prepared for social dancing. Highly recommend private classes with them too. read more

This is a follow up on Emma B., the business owner, comment implying some kind of misconduct by me. Please read my original review and her comment. After reading her comment, anyone would realize that she does not know who I am. She writes, "After receiving complaints about your behavior from multiple students, we brought it to your attention, in accordance with our policy." Well, it had never happen. I never took her group classes and came only once for a short time to a practice session in a very small crowded room in Burbank with a few students and both teachers present. Who were those multiple students that she was talking about? She must have been confusing me with someone else or deliberately lying to discredit my 1-star honest review and it's author :). It is really funny that it took Emma B. seven months to come up with this laughable reply :). 04/30/2021 post-comment update: Emma B. repeated the same laughable and clueless reply that she posted after my original review :). It was another confirmation for my decision to quit her and Argentine Tango all together. If you would know who I am (as you claim), you would have my email address and would not ask me to dm you. My 1-star honest review and your "reply" say it all :). I am letting it go. What about you? Not ready to give up? Well, I am not going to spend another minute here no matter what you decide to do. Goodbye! read more

Emma and Richard are awesome people, very kind and patient. Especially considering I have two left feet. Their private studio is also perfect. Highly recommended for a private lesson. read more

Taking lessons at LA Tango Academy has been an absolute joy every step of the way. Richard, Emma and Liz are highly skilled dancers and teachers who foster a warm community environment for learning the art form. I particularly like the structured curriculum that leads you down a clear path forward towards proficiency in the dance. Whether you are experienced or just beginning your tango journey, LATA will have something for your advancement; from private lessons to practicas. If you are considering learning or improving in tango, this is the place. read more

It took one class to realize that the caliber of teaching was outstanding. I immediately felt welcomed into a community of amazing dancers who value the integrity of Tango as the amazing dance it is. The curriculum mirrors the infinite quality of the learning experience and how to better yourself as a dancer. Emma, Richard and Liz have mastered the art of teaching to wherever you are at. They inspire me every week, as does the community. I will forever be grateful for this experience. read more

I can't say enough great things about the la tango academy!!! This is the only place to learn tango ! The teachers are amazingly skillful and patient - super friendly atmosphere and great results - I m in love read more

My husband and I took the beginner Boot Camp. Despite being a large group, the class ran smoothly. Emma and Richard are experienced teachers whose method is clear and well planned, each element progressing logically from one to the next. I was amazed by how much we learned in one evening. We signed up for the full beginners course the very next day. A complete shock to me because my husband, of his own volition, chose to give up his longstanding card night for this class. Wha?! Yep, that's how good the class was. We can't wait for it to begin. read more

Brian, Yuliana and James are exceptional dancers and teachers. When I heard they started an academy, I signed up for all available classes immediately. I've attended two classes so far. I'm very impressed by the class structure. The direction is clear and easy to understand. The teachers provide ample space to figure things out on your own while still providing some guidance so you don't learn bad habits. There are at least six experienced dancers in each class on hand--including Richard and Emma who are extremely talented and helpful. These classes are helping me clean up my basics and gain some experience with leading. As a follower, I enjoy leading in order to figure out what qualities feel good to a leader. In a social dance community, there is nothing better than being a popular dancer. You get to dance the night away feeling good and helping others feel good. Brian, Yuliana and James are the most sought after dancers in our community. They know firsthand what qualities are needed to help you and your partner enjoy tango to the fullest extent. Even better, they know how to teach these qualities in an easy to understand, practical manner. Brian, Yuliana and James all have the ability to diagnose issues quickly. For example, I was having problems with walking forward and Brian helped me fix it within five minutes. I was walking towards my own axis instead of identifying and walking towards my partner's axis. I had this issue for a year and Brian found a solution in five minutes! For those who haven't experienced tango, walking is one of the hardest parts. Just so you don't thing I'm a crazy lady who doesn't know how to walk ;) LA Tango Academy provides everything I want in a class: excellent teachers and assistants, clear instruction and a warm environment. read more

I have been dancing Argentine Tango since 2012 and two of my biggest inspirations have been Brian Nguyen and Yuliana Basmayjan. They have "changed my life" in Tango several times and I truly appreciate the dedication and overall quality of their teaching and commitment to the dance. Whether you are brand new to the dance or a seasoned veteran, both Brian and Yuliana will give you the necessary insight to fix everything from the most subtle nuance in your technique to the most glaring weakness in your walk, embrace, etc. They have studied with many of the most famous dancers from around the world and they are truly two of the best dancers period. I am proud to call Brian and Yuliana my teachers and coaches. They are masters at giving the right advice at the right time. They are great at judging what you need in the present moment. Brian is very good at summing up his advice to one specific point. As a person who leads in Argentine Tango, there are many little things that often go overlooked. They are great at refining your fundamentals and giving you super advanced concepts that can be applied throughout the dance. Many of their lessons took me almost a year to fully comprehend and appreciate their advice. I can definitely say that having Brian and Yuliana as my main teachers has taken me through many levels in such a short time. They are great teachers and even better friends. read more

A beautiful experience in every way! Fantastic teachers, fun and warm community, and life-changing art form.

What I enjoyed most from the Salon 101 class is that experienced dancers were scattered throughout the room, not as regular attendees but as assistants and team members. It gave me the opportunity to observe proper form not just from the instructor but from elite dancers directly in front of me and also to my right and left. To recapture my experience, I remember watching Yuliana's form directly in front of me to help me adjust while I independently practiced forward ochos. She is one of the many championship ranked dancers I enjoyed watching on YouTube when I started taking lessons 1 1/2 years ago. Listening to Jaimes the instructor describe the structure, form and benefits of the exercise in a very clear and concise way followed by being able to practice with Brian Nguyen (Yuliana's partner) to my left, then later Yuliana and Richard Cepeda (tango dj) helping to build on the exercise was a very unique and enjoyable experience. They all contributed their unique gifts to the high vibration of the class. Class ended with a great conversation with Emma reminding me about the importance of holding your own axis regardless of the height or skill level of the leader leaving with a great goal in mind. My overall impression is that the class format was well thought out and delivered to produce an academic enriched dance environment hence the name of the studio. When you have a class geared towards absolute beginners and intermediate dancers it becomes challenging to practice what you learn as a follower when leads are lacking in number or experience. They seem to have this issue covered by having assistants stategically scattered throughout the room. I love people that are innovative and can add a fresh approach to a learning environment. I have no doubt they will have continued success. Definitely worth the drive out to the Valley from Venice. Looking forward to the next opportunity to attend. read more

Wonderful place to learn Tango thanks to Emma and Richard. Patient, welcoming, professional,instructors and just great people You will enjoy the two hour class each week, you will meet a lot of awesome people, also you will have the opportunity to practice every Friday. Don't want to sound cheesy but I have to)). The best place to learn the tango dance, sign up and enjoy. You don't have to thank me) Oh, I completely forgot to mention, you can check LA Tango Academy on their Youtube channel. read more

Emma and Richard are amazing instructors! So happy they are nearby in North Hollywood. If you want to learn social tango dancing, this is the best place to start. If you don't, go checkout some YouTube videos of argentine tango...and then signup for LATA's bootcamp! read more

Awesome tango school with lots of fun, smart, sexy people. I thought learning tango would be hard but not with these guys. They've managed to bring an entire room full of dancers of all different levels together. You'll see anywhere from experienced studio-type dancers to first-time double-left footed dancers...and everyone having fun. Met some new friends here and had a great time. They've got tons of repeat students and very loyal following compared to many other dance schools I've tried. read more

Utterly fantastic. Emma and Richard make learning this complex dance possible AND fun! The classes are well run. Time is used efficiently. Personal attention is given. A totally awesome experience. read more

I have taken tango lessons with different teachers. Emma and Richard's curriculum and teaching methods are by far the best that I have experienced. They focus on technique and connection. The price of membership includes 2 hour weekly class, weekly practice session and monthly assessment. I am so happy that I found this dance academy! read more

I started taking tango classes 45 days ago for the first time. I was always fascinated with tango but never really found a good place until I encountered LATA (La tango Academy) ... What makes this place the best is the professionalism, skills, and communication of the whole team. Richard and Emma are so kind and talented. James is sweet and professional and always gives historic knowledge on tango. Christa's technical classes are so helpful. I take classes at LATA 2-3 times a week. My posture and body strength has improved so much. My body feels tighter and my balance is better than before. All these have created bigger confidence in my walk which in return has opened more doors in my artistic endeavors ...What I love most about tango is the classical passion that you are introduced through each moves that slowly effects you internally in becoming the same... an individual passionate about life with a classical taste ;) Love it! read more

Want to learn tango or improve? This is a MUST do! Richard & Emma break down the art, style & techniques like I have never seen before. So easy and understandable. I just took their 2-day bootcamp (make sure to stretch & bring water) it was amazing. Years ago I've taken private argentine lessons in NYC so I was looking to brush off the cobwebs of my muscle memory. The way Richard & Emma break down all the steps & the drills they have you do with the practice patterns are mind blowing. Their personalities make it a ton of fun too, while you are sweating & smiling. If you ever wanted to dance and/or learn tango call them! I'm super impressed and I'm a dancer. read more

My first tango class ever. After dancing Salsa for many years, I have cross over to Tango. This dance draws me in mainly because of the intense connection between dancers. Richard and Emma are spectacular teachers. Definitely, a very open friendly place to learn this beautiful art. Looking forward to this new dance adventure....... read more

I bought a Tango lesson for me and my husband. Emma and Richard were awesome. This was our first Tango lesson ever, we enjoyed it! One thing I didn't like was the studio itself. It was small and not appealing to me. read more

I have taken a few private tango lessons with Emma and I am very impressed by her teaching methods and ability. I highly recommend her.

Great instructors who really know their stuff. This is an excellent school for total beginners and more advanced students. I love that they balance the class for leads-followers so everyone gets the maximum practice time and you can attend the class as a single. read more

I am very new to the LA Tango Academy. I started my classes on June 1st 2015. But being someone who has no dancing experience whatsoever, I've learned a lot, thanks to the wonderful instructors Emma and Richard. They sure know how to teach even people like me who never danced anything before. I am very happy with the progress I am making and definitely committed to this school. I also recommend to all of my friends to start learning this amazing dance. If you ever looking for a great tango school, LA Tango Academy is the place to go. You will be 100% satisfied with the results!!! read more

Emma and Richard are great dancers and amazing, knowledgeable instructors (and pretty cool people too). They don't just teach dance moves. They teach you to be a good dancer. Each class contains a good mix of technique, practice, encouragement, humor, and essential dance philosophy. You can tell that they have put a great deal of thought into their teaching method and course structure, which makes you feel that you can trust them to take your dancing where it needs to go. I'm a pretty quick learner, having had significant experience in other dances, so I am happy to find their classes challenging and enjoyable throughout. read more

Richard and Emma are thoughtful, enjoyable instructors and beautiful, experienced dancers. Lovely to watch, dance with, and learn from. Their classes provide an excellent foundation of technique as well as the aesthetic and philosophical tenets of tango - and working one-on-one provides access to their canny diagnosis of deeper body mechanics. Highly recommend! read more

If you're serious about learning the beautiful dance of Argentine Tango, there is no better place in Los Angeles to begin that journey than at L.A. Tango Academy. Richard and Emma are not only expert dancers and proficient teachers, but they have created a well thought out curriculum and established a welcoming environment that allows students to excel in the learning process. The Membership Only format includes a weekly two-hour lesson, twice-weekly Practicas where students can perfect the lesson material, and a monthly assessment with the instructor that's videotaped to allow appropriate feedback. Students who have completed the first series of classes are welcomed to all lower level classes so there are always more experienced dancers sprinkled throughout the class to help newcomers. The benefit of a Membership Only structure means that students are more committed to the learning process and consistently return each week to learn the new material introduced. Regardless of whether you have two left feet or dance professionally in other dances, the learning environment is always positive and supportive without any judgement by the fellow student community. I've already started my second five-month series. What are you waiting for? Give it a try. You won't regret it. read more