Carmen - A tango story -
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Leah Barsky (Carmen) was born in Germany and grew up in NY.  She has been dancing since the age of five. Leah is a cross-disciplined performer and highly proficient in classical ballet, contemporary dance and Argentine tango. She trained at The Julliard School, New York State Summer School of The Arts, American Dance Festival and California Institute of the Arts.  Her professional career started at the age of 17 with the Nai Ni Chen Dance Company in NYC. Then she had the pleasure of working with Armitage Gone!, Doug Varone, Tango y Mas, Tango 1st Century just to name a few. She has performed throughout the U.S, Asia, Canada, Europe, Chile and Argentina.  In 2014 she danced in The Mark Morris Production of “L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” at Lincoln Center.  Leah has also appeared as a featured dancer in several productions with The Chicago Lyric Opera and The Metropolitan Opera. She has danced in the most renowned tango shows in Buenos Aires, including Esquina Carlos Gardel, Tango Porteño, Querandi Tango and Hotel Faena’s “Rojo Tango” as well as NYC’s first tango house “Malbec.”  In addition, she danced as one of the final couples in the 2014 and 2015 Mundial Tango Championships. The New York Times raved that Leah is “sensual and direct and… the most compelling” performer.


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​Ezequiel Lopez (Don
José) & 
Camile Alegre

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The 2015 Stage Champions of the Tango Mundial in Buenos Aires. One of the most dynamic and sought out couples working today, who has performed in the most prestigious tango houses in Buenos Aires including Café de los Angelitos, La Ventana Tango Show, Gala Tango, Madero Tango, Esquina Carlos Gardel, El Querandi, Piazzola Tango, Tango Porteño and Café Tortoni. Ezequiel and Camile have performed throughout Canada, Germany, England, Mexico, Russia and the U.S. with world renowned tango companies including, Tangorama directed by Mora Godoy, Obsecion Tango directed by Tamara Biseglia, Tango Legends with Pablo Sosa and Mariela Maldonado, Tanguera, and Tango Fire under the direction of German Cornejo.  They were choreographic assistant to Sandra and Gabriel Orteca in the famous Stravaganza Tango and were runners up in the reality show “Que Viva The Chosen” held in L.A. produced by Jamie King, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Film credits include “Un Tango Mas” produced by Wim Wenders that contests the story of tango icons Maria Nieves and Juan Carlos Copes.

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​Leonardo Raul Luizaga (The Compadrito)

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Leonardo has danced in some of the most renowned tango show in Buenos Aires. His earlier studies included ballet at Municipal Tango Ballet and Petruska Ballet. Leonardo also studied ballroom, acrobatics, and modern jazz. He later studied tango with maestros Francisco Forquera and Carolina Bonaventura, Fabian Peralta and Silvio La Via. In Argentina, he has danced in Sebastian Tango in the Borges Center Cultural, “Copes Tango Danza,” Stravaganza Tango and in the prestigious tango houses, Sabor a Tango, Piazzola Tango, Gala Tango, Señor Tango and Tango Porteño. He toured throughout Europe, Greece and Portugal with “Tango Passion” under the direction of Hector Manuel Zaraspe and throughout Mexico with “Tango passion por el Baile.” He toured Japan with LATINA with the Carlos Marzan Orquestra , Hamburg with La Femme Tango and Korea with orchestras Quintet Real and Tango National Orchestra. He was also in the original cast of NYC first tango house  “Malbec.” In 2010 Leonardo placed 4th in the Tango Mundial Championships in Buenos Aires.

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Eber Alejandro Burger (The Husband)

Eber was the assistant to the director and choreographer in one of Buenos Aires most prestigious tango shows, Tango Porteño. He teaches at the renowned Mario Morales tango school. Eber has danced in the famous tango shows Señor Tango, Esquina Carlos Gardel and Tango Porteño in Buenos Aires. He won silver three times and gold in the Torneos Juveniles Bonaerenses for Tango Escenario between 2002-2006. He has toured throughout Italy, Turkey, France, Japan and Argentina. In 2012 he was Sub-Champions in the Tango Mundial Championships in Buenos Aires.

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Yesica Lorena Lozano Elias (Micaela)
​Yesica was the 2012 Sub-Champion in the Tango Mundial Championships. She teaches at the famous Mario Morales tango school in Buenos Aires. Yesica has danced in the world-renowned tango shows including Señor Tango, Esquina Carlos Gardel and Tango Porteño where she was also the assistant to the director and choreographer. She has toured throughout Italy, Turkey, France, Japan and Argentina. She was silver and gold medalist in the Torneos Juveniles Bonaerenses.

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​Leonardo Santander
​(Sergeant)
is a highly experienced and sought out teacher and performer in Argentine Folkdance. He has a degree in Argentine folk dance and Tango from UNA. He is a senior teacher with Ballet Salta. Leonardo has traveled the world performing with renowned companies and productions including “Swirl Malambo,” “Aurora Tango,” “Pucara,” Porto Ballet, “Che Malambo,” “Tangorama,” “Al Andaluz,” Pasiones Company and “Crusade.” Television appearances include “ARGENTINISIMA,” “La Noche de los Jovenes“ and “MALAMBO REVOLUTION.”  Leonardo has performed in the most important folklore festivals in Argentina. He is a three- time winner of the prestigious “Festival de las Sierras” as well as winner of the “Festival Pre-Cosquin”.

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Matias Jaime (Dancer/Malambo Choreographer)
Matias is one of the leading faces of Argentine Folklore today.  He is a member of “El Nuevo tango” under the direction of Roberto Herrera, with whom he has performed throughout Argentina, Italy and Switzerland. He toured throughout France and Switzerland with the group “Che Malambo.” Matias has appeared on the famous Susana Gimenez show in Buenos Aires. He was chosen to perform in Las Vegas by Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony and Jamie King for the reality show Q’ VIVA THE CHOSEN, which seeks out talent throughout Latin America.  With this same group, Matias appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Entertainment Tonight.  Matias is a dancer and the Malambo choreographer for the highly acclaimed show “STRAVAGANZA” by Flavio Mendoza. He is also director and choreographer of the group “IMPACT MALAMBO”. Matias has made several television appearances and has won several prestigious awards; in 2007 with the group “La Rebelion”, in 2005 and 2006 winner of the Malambo South in the Torneos Bonaerenses, in 2006 and 2010 winner of Malambo North and South in the Festival de las Sierras Tandil and in 2007 winner of Malambo south in the youth category for the Festival Nacional del Malambo Laborde.


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Lucas Furno (Violin)
Lucas began playing the violin at a young age with La Orquesta Tipica Gente de Tango where he shared music stands with musicians whose careers spanned back to the golden age of tango with orchestras such as Horacio Salgan, Carlos Di Sarli, Juan Cambareri and Roberto Chanel, to name a few. Lucas later joined the group “Almatrio” and toured through out Europe performing in festivals and milongas in Germany, Holland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Norwiegh, England and Belgium, as well as with “La Chicana” in Spain and Argentina. He helped to establish the company “Seduction Tango” and toured with the company throughout Greece, Turkey, Poland, France, and Lithuania. He has also performed with “Estampas Porteñas” and “Tango Legends” in the U.S, Italy, Turkey, Singapore and Thailand. Lucas has played in the top tango houses in Buenos Aires, including Madero Tango, Rojo Tango in Faena Hotel, Sabor a Tango, Almatango, Bar Sur, El Café de los Angelitos and Tango Porteño. In 2012, he performed in the world famous, Colon Theater for Festival de Tango de la Ciudad. He was a member of the tango orchestras, Orquesta Tipica Almagro, Viceversa, Amores Tangos and played for Mora Godoy’s internationally recognized tango company.  Now, Lucas is a member of the Tango Bardo Quartet, with whom he continues to travel and perform worldwide.

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Ayelén Pais Negrin  (Bandoneón)
One of the leading female bandoneón players of her generation. Ayelén plays in some of the most renowned tango houses in Buenos Aires, including El Querandi Tango, Tango Porteño, Taconeando, Catulo Tango, Complejo Tango, Café Tortoni and Bar Sur. She is a member of the women’s group “China Cruel”.  In 2011 she joined the cast of the musical “Patio de la Morocho” under the direction of Juan Carlos Cuacci.  Ayelén performed throughout Brazil with group “Tango al Limite.” Today, she is a member of “Bertero Big Band Tango" directed by maestro Fabian Bertero as well as the quintet, “Pista Urbana.”

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Leonel Gasso (Bandoneón)
Born in Uruguay, Leonel began playing the bandoneón at the age of 8 in his father’s orchestra, who was also a bandoneón player.  He completed his studies at the Municipal School of Music in Montevideo.  In 2007 he joined the group Fugata Tango directed by Juan Schellemberg with whom he recorded his first album.  Leonel has been called upon numerous times to appear with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Montevideo. He has traveled extensively throughout Russia, Brazil. Germany, England, Scotland, Norway and Korea.  He was a member of the group “Orquesta de las Dos Orillas.” He is a member of the quartet Tango Bardo with whom he has worked extensively with Mora Godoy traveling throughout Japan, China, France Chile and Spain. Leonel has worked extensively with renowned singer Giovanna and with whom he will be making a recording in 2016.  He is also a member of the internationally recognized company “Tango Legends."

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​​Cristian Asato (Piano)
Cristian is a highly accomplished pianist.  He has played in the most famous Tango shows in Buenos Aires including Café de los Angelitos, Tango Porteño and Esquina Carlos Gardel.  In 2012 he played with the quartet “La Bordona” in the Festival de Tango in Rome, Italy.  He also performed in the world famous Colon Theater with the quintet “El Descarte”.  Cristian was a member of the group “NoBailaras” under the direction of Ramiro Gallo as well as the pianist for “Le Grand Tango” that was created for Tango Via Buenos Aires for the composers, Diego Schissi, Andres Linetzky and Carlos Corrales. He played with “Federico Pereiro Trio” in the Festival de Tango de la Falda. He has also performed with the orchestra “El Arranque”.   In 2014 Cristian traveled to Beijing with Esquina Garlos Gardel.  In 2009 Cristian was awarded by the Japanese embassy with the prize “Centro Nikkei” which recognized his remarkable work in culture within the Japanese community in Argentina.

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Juan Andres Miguens (Bass, Electric Bass)
Juan is a highly sought out musician and teacher throughout Argentina.  During the past ten years he has performed in and for the most important tango shows in Buenos Aires including Hotel Faena’s Rojo Tango, Café de los Angelitos, Esquina Carlos Gardel, and Tango Porteño.  He has traveled throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and North America with the renowned companies, Tango Fire, Estampas Porteñas, Rojo Tango, Quasimodo, Orquesta Color Tango and Mora Godoy’s “Chantecler”.  Juan is a member of the tango quintet ViceVersa , which has two recorded albums, Orquesta Tipica de Almagro, ”Clan Termotesta,” the tango quartet Tango Bardo and The String Orchestra of Elvino Vardaro with whom he performed at the famous Colon Theater in 2012.  Juan is also a member of the group Cielo Arriba (Heavens Above), an Argentinean folklore musical group for children.

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​Nayla Danchuk (Singer)
At just 10 years old Nayla won first place in the prestigious contest held by Susana Gimenez, earning her the opportunity to record her first CD with the international label EMI.
Now at only 20 years of age, she has appeared on some of the most important national and international stages, including, Atahualpa Yupanqui in the Festival of Cosquín, The International Festival of Tango of Justo Daract, Theatre Papudo in Chile and The Concourse Chatswood Theater in Sydney Australia to name a few.
Nayla's big screen debut was at age thirteen with director Francis Ford Coppola in the film "Tetro," which had its world premiere in 2009. Her artistic development extends past singing as she is also an accomplished tango dancer and well versed on the bandoneon
Nayla is currently a member of the company "Tango mas Tango" directed by Roberto Zuccarino, with whom she has also performed and toured in the show "Tango y Nada mas." Nayla also sings regularly along side Fabian Villalón in the tango orchestra IUNA .


© Carmen: A Tango Story 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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