I'm a visitor to London and my best friend arranged for a birthday present for me to take a group Argentine tango class with my boyfriend last night. I would like to express my supreme disappointment and anger.
Firstly, I understand teaching dance to beginners can be difficult. My boyfriend has no experience. For myself, I am no professional and dance just for fun, but I've been dancing since age 4, with ballet, tap and jazz. In the last 4 years, I've been dancing salsa and bachata. I'm also a yogi. My point is that I am no stranger to movement and I welcome feedback to correct my technique and form.
With this said, the teacher (I'm assuming Mr. Takis), expressed how he wished people would show up at 7pm instead of the 7:30pm start time. Well firstly, we were not informed of such request. We were, however, on time for 7:30pm and ready to dance. There were only 3 people total, 2 boys and 1 girl. He said he didn't want to give the class, but we told him we were visitors and today was our only day to attend. We also said we had no problem with the small class, and we're here now, why not continue to the class? We're sorry the numbers were not to his satisfaction, but how is that our fault? He should have given the class without complaint.
He gave me a 30 minute lesson (sort of), where he kept repeating the same instructions over and over again. When I didn't understand, I would ask him clarifying questions or tried to get him to show or teach me with different methods (such as show me the wrong way so I understand the correct way, using my hands to illustrate, etc). He just kept scolding and repeating. Let's also remember I've never danced tango before and it will take me a while to understand signals, leads and music. He could have been more polite, more patient and more creative in giving instruction. He would tell us to "listen to the music", without teaching us the basic rhythms or what we were listening for. He would tell my partner to take over, except never taught him the steps or how to lead!
After 30 minutes, he ended the class. He gave us our money back and was completely unapologetic.
This was completely disappointing because it was a birthday gift, it is in advance to my visit to Argentina where I intend to take lessons, and he was just plain rude and a terrible teacher. I would never recommend this studio to anyone, even to those who could regularly attend. I hope they take this review and improve their service.