Of note, award-winning bandoneonist, composer, and arranger Ramiro Boero, together with his duo partner, pianist and SFTA Founder and Director Sumi Lee, will lead the workshop faculty. Bandoneóns are what makes music sound like tango, and through a series of workshops over several years Maestro Boero has developed a cadre of bandoneonists that few locations outside Argentina can offer, a unique feature of SFTA workshops. Latin Grammy winning violinist Guillermo Rubino and acclaimed bassist Pablo Lanouguere will teach specialized techniques and driving rhythms to the string players.

• Intensive, performance-centered conservatory-level training for intermediate and advanced musicians in a warm, coaching environment
  
  

• Participants will be assigned to 2 groups based on experience
  
  

• Individualized instruction and close mentorship with the faculty artists
  
  

• Small-group sectional breakouts ensuring hands-on guidance and personalized attention to learn authentic tango rhythm, articulation and expressivity
  
  

• Orchestral rehearsal and sectional coaching (auditing option available, $30. Register: info@sftangoacademy.com)
  
  

• Detailed study of traditional and contemporary tango repertoire, including new tango pieces composed by artist faculty
  
  

• Instrument-focused tango music history seminar (open to the public, $40. Register: info@sftangoacademy.com)
  
  

• Emphasis on stylistic authenticity, ensemble cohesion, and performance practice
  
  

• Collaborating with and meeting peers—past workshop participants have come from all over California, neighboring states, and as far away as Florida. Our SFTA community is very welcoming 

You will be asked to fill out a registration questionnaire and provide a short performance video or audio. Once you have been accepted by the SFTA and paid the registration fee, you will receive scores of the music that we will perform. 

Tango has a long aural tradition and scores are often imperfect; therefore, we will provide reference audio (as available) along with the scores so that you can listen and begin to become familiar with phrasing, articulation, and style.

During the workshop, we will be assigned to 2 groups based on experience to refine the scores as needed and provide individualized coaching and guidance for specific pieces. You are encouraged to arrange for private lessons with the instructors before and during the workshop weekend. 

What our past participants have to say. 

In our post-workshop survey of February participants, 100% of the respondents rated the quality of the instruction as excellent. Further, they all said they would attend a future workshop and would recommend the SFTA workshop to other musicians. 

"As a classically trained violinist, I was looking for ways to channel my deep passion for tangomusic and seeking an opportunity to enhance my skills as a tango violinist, and that’s when I found the SF Tango Academy intensive workshop. I loved working with the renowned masters from Buenos Aires—they are wonderful, attentive, knowledgeable, and talented musicians. The workshop, built on the traditional style and history of Golden Age tango, opened my eyes to a fascinating world of modern tango music, gave me a new set of skills, and guided me on how to implement these skills, all leading me to new ways of expression. I gained a new musical language. I highly recommend the SFTA intensive workshops to others seeking to grow as musicians.” - Polina Sedukh, Violinist, San Francisco Symphony

. “Learning the nuances of playing Tango music and playing alongside excellent musicians was fantastic -- the best way to learn. There were so many valuable parts -- learning new techniques, the variety of tango music that was chosen, maestros from BA and the source of the music training us, sectional breakouts, making new friends, and the final performance were all incredibly valuable.”

“The musical level, quality of instruction, and overall artistic environment were outstanding. It was especially valuable to perform and share space with such high-level musicians, which made the experience both inspiring and deeply educational.”