Argentine Tango

Argentine Tango has become a way of life for millions of people around the world since its beginning in Buenos Aires in the late 1800s. The mesmerizing beat, melody and nostalgic elements of the Argentine Tango attract people from all stages and walks of life. These days one can go and dance nearly anywhere around the world where the universal language of dance unites our global society.

Tango peaked in popularity in Paris in the 1930s and is once again undergoing a renaissance. It’s a fun dance which not only exercises the body but also the mind and soul. Reaching and expressing ones feelings of desire, lament, pain and joy all in one dance. While dancing Tango there is one leader and one follower who through their embrace and connection a smooth and flowing movement is created around the dance floor in either a simple or dynamic form. With subtle and sensuous movements, with turns and rhythmical footwork that even someone with “two left feet” can learn!

We teach several styles of Argentine Tango at Viva Latina Dance, ranging from the social salon style to the more advanced show tango. Our aim is to make dancing a fun and challenging experience for dancers of all levels. We also teach Latin Dance as part of the dance curriculum for both primary & secondary students.

We also offer help in choreographing wedding dances with couples who want something a bit different that is uniquely tailored to suit the wishes and ability of the couple.

By arrangement private lessons are available for individuals as well as couples, Our demonstration group performs regularly at corporate functions, community and school events around New Zealand.

We run on-going classes and courses around Wellington.
For more information and to join our class/event emailing list:

Olga Gladkikh

Born in Russia Olga started dancing at 5 years old. Since then it has been an almost continuous life of training, competitions and stage performances in folk dance, classical, modern and, later, jazz, sport and acrobatic dance. Along with this she studied, performed and competed in figure skating, rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. Olga moved to New Zealand 10 odd years ago and discovered Tango here. Since then she has been learning, performing, choreographing and teaching it non-stop. Olga is very grateful to her Argentinean, New Zealand, English and Australian teachers for helping her to shape her tango-vision with especially warm feelings to Rodolfo Monteleone, Christine Dennison, Miriam Cuperman, David Backler, Olga Pomer and Graham Dallow for watching her first steps as a tango dancer and a teacher and to George Nicholson and Jacqueline Drakeford for helping her to understand the nuances of dancing with a partner and perfect her steps on the dance floor.

Olga has staged 7 large theatrical shows as a co-director, choreographer and even once as a play writer and choreographed hundreds of small tango numbers for couples and formation teams shown in the classes, workshops, performances and various dance competitions. Olga's teaching style is based on a balanced integration of "physics" and "physique". Being an accomplished scientist and a professionally trained teacher as well as a dancer, she can break down each figure into its simple elements and clearly explain the way the body should work to achieve smooth and precise movement with balance and style.

Olga's style in dancing is dramatic, vibrant and often flamboyant. She likes experimenting, creating new moves and flying "outside the square". Together with her dance partner Alex White she had performed nationwide in New Zealand and was involved in several theatrical gala-performances and film productions.

Alex White

Alex trained in dancing while living in Argentina. Originally inspired by his latin friends at school, He has trained with and learned from dozens of well-known and accomplished teachers such as Rodolfo Pedro Monteleone, Osvaldo Zotto, Gustavo Naveira, Fabian Salas & Pablo Veron (stars of "The Tango Lesson") as well as over 40 other teachers, including in Australasia; Fabio Robles, David Backler, Miriam & Graciela, and Graham Dallow.

He has now been teaching for over 11 years in Viva Latina dance studio in Wellington with Tango and Salsa classes most nights of the week.

Alex has competed and judged in a number of competitions, both in New Zealand and Argentina, coming first in a salsa competition in Buenos Aires, as well as placed in several competitions in New Zealand, some of the highlights have included performing on national T.V. several times both in New Zealand & Argentina - as well as starring in shows for Wellington's fringe festival including "Tangomania" and "Penas del Bandoneon”. Alex enjoys teaching most of the different styles of tango, and loves to perform Tango Salon /Nuevo, as well as Argentine folkloric dances.

His teaching manner is very relaxed and patient, with emphasis on fluidity and enjoyment.