Marcos and Ruta are... frankly they are the place to learn Argentine Tango. Or rather - they are the people from whom to learn Argentine Tango. Because the nature of tango is that it is a relationship, something that occurs between two people - a connection. (A bit of background first:) Different from all other types of ballroom dancing, the best thing about tango is this connection. All dances have some degree of connection, but in tango the dance itself IS the connection. And, this isn't something that can be copied through learning more "moves" or by rote drilling of steps. You know the stereotype of tango dancers - lithe, graceful like a cat? Yeah... just learning a few foot patterns won't get you that. You know, I know it's true. It takes changing the WAY in which you walk altogether. Which, actually, is not impossible. But, that's where Marcos and Ruta come in. To really get "there", you need technique. You need help correcting your form, feeling where your body is, improving your balance. Both Marcos and Ruta are amazing at the different parts of this. Partly thanks to her background as a professional ballerina, Ruta has this ability to gently correct your posture with her hands and make everything fall into place. Its always amazing to me how I can feel frustrated, not quite on balance and struggling with a move, and yet unable to see how else I can do it. And then Ruta comes along, makes 2-3 minute adjustments (we're talking just milimeters), and my whole body alignment falls into place and everything becomes effortless. It's like magic. As for Marcos, he compliments this by doing the same thing, but from within the "flow" of the dance. Finding the way to move within the dance from position to position, and "fall into" the music - he works the same magic as Ruta. Together they get the whole picture - you can't have one without the other. As for who they are, both are incredible people. Real, down-to-earth, kind, playful, and wise. Taking lessons with them is really like building a new friendship - they want to connect with you and know you individually, if you want to back. Within the tango community, they are also movers and shakers, organizing the first every US-based International Tango Summit, and laying the groundwork for organizing, connecting, and standardizing the tango community to make it more accessible to the general public. Price-wise, they are also the best bang-for-your-buck on the market. I've looked around and hopped from a few different laces, and the individual attention, as well as length of their lessons and practica afterward is unrivaled for the price. And, they always have ways for you to get more or less engaged, according to what you want to do. I can't recommend enough. read more

I first met Marcos and Ruta almost five years ago. They had a weekend workshop and as I had been dancing Tango for about a year it seemed like a good idea to take the workshop. The workshop was amazing, Marcos had a way of breaking down, explaining and teaching even the most difficult moves that he made them look simple to learn. I was hooked on the QMethod (tm pending) way of learning. I immediately wanted to take private lessons from them, but at that time they were based out of Las Vegas and came to OC only once a month. No problem, I booked TEN lessons for each month for that weekend. Intense? Yes, it was and well worth it. Fast forward a couple of years, and Marcos and Ruta moved to Southern CA. Now, I could take lessons every week and multiple sessions at that and I was happy. I even made it to their group sessions. After hundreds of sessions, my Tango journey continues on with Marcos and Ruta in the present day. I have danced at Tango festivals around the world with a multitude of partners. I do get compliments, and have even been mistaken as an Argentinean due to the way I dance. I owe it all to Marcos and Ruta that have patiently guided me throughout my journey, and still guide me today. They also are more than just instructors. They have become dear friends. Needless to say, I recommend them to anyone wishing to learn Argentine tango. I have taken a lot of lessons from different teachers, and without reservations I can say that they have no equal. read more

Tango Lessons in LA - Ruta and I dancing with Maestro Marcos Questas monitoring. - Dance Studios Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I love the way the studio space feels , is as if you were learning tango in buenos aires, Argentina! It's a really is a conducive atmosphere and the instruction it's super high quality ! Marcos and Ruta are really fun and friendly... No wonder they are so many people taking lessons from them... As a data point if you ever have he opportunity to see these two masters dancing live, don't miss it I warn you, you might get addicted to tango ! read more

Tango Lessons in LA - Marcos teaching one of their many celebrities ! - Dance Studios Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Marcos y Ruta Questas are excellent, well-versed, supportive, and dedicated instructors to their tango aficionados. Classes Marcos Y Ruta offer classes using their skills and many years of experience that really help you improve your technique, focus, and your tango steps. Every single group class I have learned something new about the art of tango! Milonga The once a month milonga in South OC is not to be missed! The romantic lighting coupled with friendly faces makes this milonga the best in OC! Privates I recently began private lessons with Marcos. He is a phenomenal instructor and master at tango! I highly recommend taking privates with him and / or Ruta! Try classes, privates, or go to a milonga to meet these excellent and caring instructors! Here's to your tango journey! read more

Marcos & Ruta are excellent teachers and dancers! It is not often you find someone who can teach just as well as they can dance. They are fun, and have just the right amount of "push" at the same time as compassion and patience. They are always looking for ways to improve, and motivate their students. Their creativity is unsurpassed, and they teach from the very simple basic steps, all the way to performance style, for every level! I feel like my lessons provide me with exercise, laughter, and the right amount of hard work to continue to progress in my dancing. And for beginners, I have sent my boyfriend to them, and have never witnessed anyone learning so fast. They have a method that works for anyone. I have been going to them for many years, and I still feel like they are my lifeline in dance, I am so grateful for teachers and people in my life like Marcos & Ruta! read more

Tango Lessons in LA - A performance with my teacher - Dance Studios Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Marcos Questas is a great Teacher!! If you want wonderful, thorough and really caring instructors of Argentine Tango I completely and totally recommend the team of Marcos and Ruta. Rita , herself , is a very good teacher and also a wonderful dancer so together it is a WIN / WIN and. they make an excellent team. They teach the steps that will prepare you to get on the dance floor Right Away, ASAP!!! I highly recommend these two wonderful teachers read more

I have taken private dance lessons for almost 15 years with 15 different instructors. Marcos and Ruta... hands down the best. I've taken about 50 privates in other places on Argentine Tango, and still had no real clue how to properly tango. It's not about them or about a studio system or steps. It's about creating an incredible culture of technique and learning -- which not only has helped with leading in all of my dances and even better, as a trained classical pianist, has drastically improved the way I play using the centering of energy from tango. So amazing. Highly, highly recommend! read more

My busband and I had 10 lessons with Ruta in preparation for our surprise tango dance at our wedding 2 weeks ago. We found them on Yelp and decided to try out since there was very high yelp ratings. We absolutely had a blast!! Ruta and Marcos were very professional and patient and cared for us like friends! Ruta taught us mostly and she was very detailed and patient throughout the whole process. I have had some dance background so moves were not too hard for me but my husband had 0 experience before so he found it very hard at the beginning. Ruta was able to work through our differences and help us with frustrations at times. She listened to our requests for choreography and made a huge effort to fit everything during our short time of practicing. I could also see that both Ruta and Marcos are very passionate at Tango which is so important when comes to teaching us. We were able to perform a 1:30 dance at our wedding reception both in Australia and China and everyone was so wowed by it. Ruta is superb and we highly recommend anyone who wants to learn Tango. We wouldn't have gone anywhere else!! Thank you so much to both Ruta and Marcos for this unforgettable experience!! read more

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I'm so excited that I found Tango Lessons in LA! I absolutely love Marcos and Ruta. I have been to other Tango studios and was starting to get discouraged because of criticism that took all the fun out of learning. Marcos and Ruta's approach is very different. They have you feeling confident in no time. They teach the authentic Argentine Tango style but they don't make you feel like an artless nincompoop if you aren't executing the style perfectly. The class is small so you get lots of attention. Every time I go I laugh a lot and have a blast. It's like a party atmosphere but at the same time my dancing has improved soooooooooo much after studying with them. They offer both private lessons and group lessons in a charming studio in Westwood. I highly recommend you check it out if you want to become proficient in the highly addictive Argentine Tango. read more

Honestly, I do not write many reviews, a practice I should change, especially when it comes to businesses and people I absolutely love and appreciate. This is 100% the case with Ruta and Marcos at Tango Lessons in LA. I had been wanting to learn partner dancing for years, but never took the plunge. I started with these two extremely talented, patient and warm teachers about a year ago and would recommend them to anyone wanting a safe place to begin their tango journey. Their process is personal, detailed and expert. I would give them six stars, if I could!!! read more

I have been taking lesson with Marcos for the passed year, I can say with confidence that besides learning a whole bunch, the lessons are a lot of fun ... He is very patient and breaks down the technique very well, also I take lesson with Ruta, his wife, she is a sweetheart with a gorgeous figure that makes you feel really good about your progress and also an excellent teacher they make the perfect combination for learning style and techniques in Argentine tango ... I'm very happy with Marcos and Ruta the are the right choice for me ! read more

Tango Lessons in LA - Marcos my teacher ;-) - Dance Studios Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I started taking tango lessons with Marcos early this year. I had decided I wanted to learn a new skill, and become more active and find a new interest, even though I had been taking ballroom dancing for some time. I didn't know anything about Argentine Tango except that I had seen some performances and thought it was beautiful but probably very complicated. I found Marcos & Ruta online, and right away they were very personable and helpful in getting me scheduled, in spite of their busy schedules. With Marcos' great talent and his teaching ability, even I was learning quickly. It was so gratifying to start to learn right away and realize that I could follow and pick up on it and have such fun at the same time. Argentine tango is a special skill with so many intriguing aspects to learn. It has been a very enlightening endeavor so far. The more you learn, the more you want to learn. Marcos and Ruta are exceptional dancers and both great teachers. With Marcos' background and roots in Argentine Tango, what a great professional. It is an honor for me to be taking lessons from such a professional and accomplished tango dancer and teacher. He makes the lessons so much fun - always full of laughter. I am often amazed at how he senses the exact detail needed to correct a problem and teach the next element. Ruta has taught some ladies' skills for foot work, balance and other techniques that have been so very helpful. Not only do they make the classes fun, but they also encourage participation in local events and Milongas. I have had so much fun with learning from them, that I went to Las Vegas and visited a friend so that I could attend one their functions there. If you've ever thought of learning tango, you should do it with this wonderful couple at Argentine Tango LA. read more

Marcos is an incredible teacher! And a beautiful dancer! After a few lessons, my tango improved so much. Ruta also gave me excellent advice and corrected my posture and steps. I'm flying back to New York with the best tango experience in LA. read more

There are 4 ways of learning tango: * videos on YouTube and DVDs * group classes and pre-milonga classes * workshops on specialized topics * private one-on-one lessons If you're a beginner in tango, it's more cost-efficient to visit $15 group classes, which are usually offered for different levels. There you can meet opposite-sex partners and develop your initial skills. Then, if you're a beautiful young lady, you can go to a milonga with minimal dancing skills, but wearing a short skirt. You will surely be approached by many gentlemen and you will be silently scorned by gray-haired advanced female dancers. However, if you're a man, it's not so easy. You can't just go to a milonga and experiment on ladies trying sequences that you learned just a few days before. First, you'll be intimidated to invite unknown women. Second, many better female dancers will reject your invitations. Third, your sequences won't work well because you don't know big and small secrets of tango. Essentially, a man must remember a sequence, do his own steps, remember the woman's part, and lead her steps. Eventually, you'll realize that you need an individual teacher who can work with you longer than a few minutes an instructor spends with you at a group lesson. If you're a man, it's better to work with a female teacher as a male follower feels too big, strong, and unnatural. It's also better to have a local teacher with whom you can develop a long-term learning system. For example, you can learn a new step and try it at a milonga; if it doesn't work, you can discuss it in the next lesson. Ruta is a perfect teacher, but very modest. She has ballet and tango training. She has worked for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. When I check Facebook profiles of tango dancers in LA, almost every one of them is her and Marcos' friend. I checked Marcos' and Ruta's videos on YouTube. They don't have many. But the one from Reno is my favorite. They dance so gracefully, so elegantly. I wish I knew every step of their combination because every step can be used at social milongas. What I like about Ruta's classes? * Attention to musicality. A dance should follow the beats of the accompanying melody. Only then it'll look beautiful. * Hundreds of useful steps and sequences. They work well when a female partner is not very advanced and even with a beginner. I use almost all of them unlike some steps that I've learned from visiting teachers, but can't repeat. * Presentation of the perfect posture and demonstration of small secrets. A woman knows better how to make you impress a female partner. They run group classes, practicas, and milongas in Orange County. So, they are now always available for lessons. Also private lesson times can be a little bit longer. There are small streets in the area that have 2-hour free parking. It's a little bit difficult to find the place. Walk along the passage near the Iranian restaurant, look to the right in the middle at the door with the label "Tango". Go up, to the right, and find the room 5. read more

Fabulous teacher, 5 classes and i was dancing like stars! Highly recommend for wedding first dance lessons.

I am not a good dancer, but Marcos and Ruta were able to teach me this romantic and complicated dance. They make learning enjoyable! They are great teachers and spectacular dancers with a big heart. read more

Marcos is a fantastic teacher. We had some rapid fire lessons with him and Ruta to prepare for our wedding, and due to timing constraints were only able to schedule three lessons. However, even in that short time, Marcos was able to choreograph a whole routine for us to our song of choice! He was patient in dealing with my newbie dancing skills and knew exactly how to show me how a certain movement by letting me "feel" the movement instead of simply following steps. I highly recommend Marco and Ruta for Tango lessons! read more

It has been a little more than 20 years ago, since I began to study dance. At the beginning of my study I was living in New York and the closest and best studio in New York was Paul Pellicoro's "Dancesport". Ironically, also at that time, some of the best Tango dancers in the world were coming to New York to perform in the new Tango musical on Broadway called, "Forever Tango". In the following interview one can read about these dancers and the Argentine Tango and how it came to New York and evolved. "Interview with Paul Pellicoro who taught Al Pacino the American Tango for the movie "Scent of Woman". http://www.dancesport.com/ds-blog/interview-with-paul-pellicoro-at-lafayette-grill-tango-in-new-york-city In the article you will see many statements, such as the following: "In New York there is more freedom, and mixtures of "tango fantasia," (where the couple can part and do things separately) and the soft, on the floor tango, as well as the Milongaro style are seen, with elements of stage tango thrown in. " Of course this is in contrast with the close embrace style that developed in the crowded Buenos Aires Milongas through the 1980s, 1990s. So there is this tension between styles so much so that you will hear the whispers, "Oh that is stage Tango, that is not authentic Tango, only the close embrace is authentic". The truth of the Tango is to find the style that appeals to you. And I know of no one that is more authentic and who can teach whatever style you desire than Marcos Questas. How do I know this, well the Tango dancers from the show would teach at Dancesport, and after befriending some of them, the star of "Forever Tango" actually came to my apartment. He told me many things especially about balance. But words are abstract, actions often speak louder than words; so what impressed me the most, was when he was instructing me and dancing with me as he played the part of the woman, I realized that he was the best woman I ever danced with. Many years later I traveled to Buenos Aires where I spent a few months and I met Gustavo and Paola, performing in an offbeat theater, before they became famous.Even though it was wonderful to dance with Paola, still the star of "Forever Tango" was the best woman I had ever danced with, that is until I met Marcos Questas. Of course I do not mean this with any sexual overtones, maybe with a little humor, but primarily as my experience of dancing with someone else, who had achieved perfection in the Tango. Sometime later I learned that Marcos was not only good friends with this star of "Forever Tango"; but they were both the premiere young Tango dancers of their generation. Marcos could just as easily have been the star of the Broadway show. But greatness does not just happen.Both Mozart and Picasso were educated from an early age by their fathers, who were already masters in their professions. Picasso's father a master painter, Mozart's father a master violinist. Nijinsky began dancing at the age of 5 in his father's troupe as part of the Setov opera company. I am mentioning this, because Marcos Questas' father was a well respected dancer in his time, and he began teaching Marcos the Tango from the time Marcos was five years old. By the time Marcos was 17 or 18 he was performing and dancing Tango, before large audiences on the stage in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It does not matter whether one is an musician, artist, or dancer, greatness does not just happen, it almost always begins with the best instruction and intensive study from an early age. So what you have in Marcos Questas is not just a Tango teacher, but a true Master and Artist of the Tango, which is almost impossible to find. Whatever style Marcos is dancing, whether "improv," or Salon or show Tango, you will see in his dancing, that not only is his technique impeccable, but his passion and his artistry, will always flow through to charm and enrapture you. If one still has any doubts, then look at Ruta Maria; she has become an incredibly wonderful and beautiful Tango dancer. Who taught her, of course, no other than Maestro Marcos Questas. So whether you want to just dance a simple, but elegant Tango, or you aspire to much more; whatever path you take, I believe you will not find better teachers than Marcos and Ruta. Finally irrespective of Tango, Marcos and Ruta are the most genuine and loving couple I have ever known. There is a saying that once you grow up "You cannot go home again", but whenever I go to Marcos's house, he gives me a big hug and then Ruta gives me a soft kiss on the cheek, suddenly I am filled with the warmth of their love, and I know I have come home again. The Ostrich - the name affectionately given to me by Marcos and Ruta read more

My now husband and I first met Ruta & Marcos in January of 2015. We first fell in love with tango on a trip to Argentina to visit my husbands family. When he gifted me with actual tango lessons I was overjoyed. Little did I know that we would also be lucky enough to find the most talented, kindest and most passionate mentors and tango experts that we could have ever imagined. We ended up working closely with Ruta, as well as Marcos to master a beautiful choreographed tango as our first dance for our wedding on September 25. Following our vows, it was honestly the most magical moment of my life. We are still receiving compliments from our friends and family about this memorable and uniquely special moment - they can't stop raving about our tango! Ruta guided us in not only learning our wedding "first dance" but truly allowed us to experience what the dance of tango is truly all about- the feeling, the emotion and the passion. We are hooked, and owe it all to them. Thank you Ruta and Marcos for sharing your love of tango with us. We will continue to "tango on" and feel truly blessed to share this experience together throughout our lives together. read more

Tango Lessons in LA - Dance Studios Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have been taking Argentine tango lessons for two years with Marcos and Ruta ... Especially with Marcos, I've taken lesson with other tango teachers but in my opinion Marcos it's the best, no questions ask, very patient and clear in his approach, he is the real deal, not to mention he was a professional tango dancer with credits on Broadway NY as well as the most prestigious tango festivals in the U.S. and Europe ... My husband Tommy Chong takes argentine tango lessons with Ruta and if you watched dancing with the stars his tango with PETA was his best dance... Highly recommended!!! read more

Since I started my tango lessons I catch myself rushing with excitement to have my lesson as yes a "miracle" can happen and you can dance even with 0 days experience when you are trusted with the masters: Marcos and Ruta! I share the most wonderful experience to learn tango with excitement and motivation it deserves, thanks to the two great teachers and warm human beings that combine technique learning, posture, stepping in a right way and dancing your heart and passion while learning the unique spirit of tango! read more

Yes, yes, and yes! There are so many thoughtful, heartfelt and specific reviews written here for Marcos and Ruta. I agree with all of the notes and want to add my voice to the collective thumbs up and appreciation for their teaching. After all, it was these yelp reviews that led me to reach out and ask for instruction. Time to pay it forward... I have been taking private lessons once a week with Marcos for about 4 months now, and I am very impressed with what I have learned already in this short amount of time. I have no dance background but had studied in Argentina briefly, a few years ago, and felt a connection to the culture and especially the dance. I feel very lucky that Marcos is willing and patient and effective at teaching a beginner. I console myself by thinking it might be nice to work with someone who has no bad habits! Thankfully, I am athletic and committed and so it works, one lesson and new step and little improvement at a time. It is great fun to see progress and develop skill, learn patience (with myself; this is a long, valuable journey), get to know Marcos and Ruta (who are so talented and bright and loving), experience the depth and passion of this particular dance, and feel like I am really living. It is a very rewarding investment in time and money - I am very careful about how I spend both. As you can see, everyone who spends time learning to (or improving their) dance with Marcos and Ruta feels nothing but fortunate for the opportunity. I hope you will find the same joy too, someday soon. Just call or email Ruta from the website. She is really great about connecting with you and getting you into the mix. read more

Bouquet list item #15..."Learn how to Tango". Well to my luck, I came across this wonderful people. Marcos & Ruta, 2 excellent individuals and prime teachers! They make the learning experience a fun one. I agree with previous review, their compassion and patience is showed throughout. Item 15...checked!! and now I'M Addicted to Tango...I love it! Thanks Marcos & Ruta! read more

Argentine Tango lessons with Marcos and Ruta at Dance United are unbelievably enjoyable. Their method of teaching not only is friendly, warm, & fun, but it's full of valuable information that advances the learner quickly. The key word here is EFFECTIVE; every hour I have spent in private and group lessons this summer have resulted in a higher and more intricate level of understanding. The opportunity on Monday nights to attend their "practica" is the perfect environment for dancers to practice with others, inquire about personal technique, and enjoy an evening with wonderfully friendly people. When ready, a monthly Saturday night dance is available. Because of Ruta and Marcos I'm a very happy camper...uh...dancer. :) PS Love the large, recently remodeled studio, nice floor, beautiful elegant atmosphere. Karen S. read more

Marcos Questas and Ruta Maria are as good as and better than it gets when it comes to Argentine Tango. Marcos was born and raised in Buenos Aires, has been dancing since he was 6 years old and dancing and performing professionally since he was sixteen. He is that rare person that defies the old adage: "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." It is a pleasure to watch Ruta and Marcos perform, but even better for a student, to watch them teach. They have the ability to break down what they are teaching in a way that is easier for students to "get it." They watch the students; they see where the problems are, and then demonstrate what is that is giving us so much trouble. It may be as simple as turning a shoulder or foot. But they will show both ways and the students immediately understand what they are doing that is making it harder for them. For some of us, VISUAL, is what we need. read more

My fiancee and I have had a wonderful experience working with Marcos and Ruta over the past few months. We could tell right away that they were first class instructors/dancers. They dance so beautifully, and to take lessons with them really feels like a privilege. We look forward to our classes every week because we make so much progress, and because they are great people. Our wedding guests are going to be blown away by our Argentine Tango! read more

I had the good fortune of discovering the compleat teacher in learning this alluring and beautiful art form. Marcos Questas is truly a master, as he gives you lessons in technique, musicality and providing the true essence of the Argentine Tango. I have been his student for a year now and I feel that I would not have progressed as fast as I'd like to had it not been for his teaching skills. His method of teaching is so personalized, with his uncanny knack for showing you what you are doing incorrectly and then presenting how it should be done. He is a remarkable and inspiring teacher whose love for the dance is so evident. I would recommend him and Ruta, who is a beautiful dancer and great teacher as well, to the serious student of the Argentine Tango. Did I mention that you will also have fun in the process? read more

I have studied tango in different cities with different teachers and these two are right up there. However, there are many good teachers, what I find more important is that this is a welcoming, fun and friendly atmosphere. If you are looking for tango instruction with a heart, this is it! read more

If you really want to learn how to truly dance Argentine Tango, I highly recommend learning with Marcos and Ruta in either LA or OC. Marcos and Ruta infuse every class or private lesson with genuine warmth and personal interest in every individual person both inside and outside of the studio. Their approach is very personal as they work to find the best way to communicate the multi-faceted elements of tango on a one to one basis. The classes are fun and lively and full of humor and all the while you learn quickly and gain confidence. I have learned from Marcos and Ruta that to really dance Argentine Tango requires an understanding that you only receive what you give willingly and compassionately to your partner - it's not just about executing steps - it is about finding connection, balance and being in the moment. Marcos and Ruta have demonstrated and guided me along the path for just over a year now and I continue to constantly improve. I have discovered that by relaxing and "going with the flow" instead of trying to control a sequence of Argentine Tango movements, my dancing rapidly improved, my stress melted away and I continue to feel a great sense of achievement that I don't seem to find from other activities. read more