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"SPIRIT OF TANGO"
Our Official Resume Having been born to an Argentinean and musical family, George began his music education and exposure to Tango early on in life. George started formal music training at the age of 10 and continued though high school and college. During these years his teachers noticed his exceptional musical ability, and with their encouragement he expanded his knowledge by learning several instruments. In 1992, George discovered Shaolin Kung Fu, and through constant diligence and patience, he became Senior Instructor and performed demonstrations in several cities in the U.S. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Jairelbhi Furlong began her dance training at the age of 9. She joined Las Voces Blancas, one of the top dance schools for kids. Jairelbhi was exposed to several different dances but clearly her passion was tap dancing, and was asked to be an assistant instructor. Because of her graceful movements and perseverance she became part of a dance troupe in Las Voces Blancas traveling to many places and included television performances. Recognized for their musicality, George and Jairelbhi Furlong are a new and up and coming Argentine tango couple. They have performed in cities throughout Texas, where they reside, and within the last two years have expanded to other cities including New York City, Los Angeles ,Vancouver, Maui,and Buenos Aires, Argentina. They have perfomormed with the Fort Worth symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Opus Cuatro and with Bandeonistas Horocio Romo, and Daniel Binelli. In 2005, they created "Evolutiontango", a dance group based in Dallas, Texas, and have produced, directed, and choreographed two tango productions: "Tango: Now and Then", and "Evolutiontango". Today they continue their tango education studying with Carolina Zokalski and Diego DiFalco, stars of the Broadway show "Forever Tango". Who Are We? (unofficial resume) Our Instructors and Influences Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco Sebastian Arce and Mariana Montes Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa Why Evolution tango? Wanna see us dance? Videos JAIRELBHI Jairelbhi (pronounced hidelbee) was born in Caracas, Venezuela, April 10, 19??(she would kill me). Her interest in dance came at an early age. She was three years old standing in front of a TV and saw Shirley Temple dancing in one of her movies. Instantly she began to dance or at least she tried. From that moment her mom said all she wanted to was dance. In addition Jairelbhi had very, very, very curly hair and her nickname became “Shirley”. A name many still today use for her, mainly because no one can say her name. At the age of nine she joined a dance school called Las Voces Blancas in Venezuela. During this time she became an assistant instructor teaching primarily children. She learned mainly tap dance but had other dances as well. She eventually became part of a dance group that traveled performing in many places including a television performance. (As a side note, this group did not only dance but sing as well. However, even I as her husband, have never heard her sing.) She arrived in the United States at the age of 17 to visit her sisters. Lucky for me that visit became permanent. GEORGE And speaking of me, I was born in Dover, New Jersey. At the tender age of 6 months, my parents took me to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Why? To learn Tango off course! No, not really. Both of my parents are from Buenos Aires. We lived there until I was six years old and moved back to the states. My performance background comes from music. I played oboe for many years before switching to percussion. After high school I began to take Shaolin Kung Fu. I was an instructor for eight years which I believe helped me with Argentine Tango. (The only thing I had to change is I am not allowed to throw my partner in tango as I do in Kung Fu.) Unlike Jairelbhi I had no interest in dance growing up. However we had something else in common. Tango music was in our household. My dad plays tango music and her dad would sing Carlos Gardel’s songs around the house. We both knew what tango was but had not clue about the dance. JAIRELBHI AND GEORGE
One of the tapes had Flamenco dancing (the reason she bought the videos). We did not like that one very much. But the other two were Argentine Tango. We watched them and thought “hey that is something we could probably do together,”(and the addiction started.) In slow motion we tried to pick up the steps these professional couples were performing and that is how we started to dance(or at least tried). One day my wife googled Argentine tango and we came across Steve Brown’s website: tejastango.com, and bought an instructional video based on his recommendations. That follower’s technique tape belonged to Diego DiFalco and Carolina Zokalski whom eventually after several visits to New York City, became our instructors (And I am happy to say they consider us their students.) We have performed in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. I am honored to say our biggest performance was in “Tango, Tango” at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth with the Fort Worth symphony. We’ve also performed with Opus Cuatro, bandoneonista Daniel Binelli, and choreographer Hector Zaraspe. In 2004 we traveled to Argentina and reached the semifinals in the world championship. The truth is there were many dancers throughout the world that were better than us but it was a great experience. The majority of our "tango education" has come from Carolina and Diego. They have been gracious in showing us the "secrets" that make elements and combinations easier. They help us tremondously in making our dance look and feel better. As Diego puts it to us: "you want me to be nice or honest?" But off course he is always cool. And more important for us they are wonderful people with a very adorable daughter. Since we began with Carolina and Diego we have taken classes, workshops, and privates with several other instructors. As our knowledge of this dance increases, Our biggest influences have been Julio and Corina,. We have tried to absorb what we like best about these two couples and tried to blend them into our style of dancing. In addition to Carolina and Diego within the last year we've been learning from Sebastian and Mariana. In that time they have played a significant role in shaping our dance. The workshops they have put together in Sacramento have been incredible. MARCOS QUESTAS We also have to give special acknowledgement to Marcos. He was the first to show us this dance, not as patterns, but as opportunities. We were not able to do many of the things he showed us. We were not quite ready; however he planted the seed. Hugo and Miriam We met Hugo and Miriam in 2005 at the New Jersey Tango Extravaganza. They are incredible dancers and instructors and since then we have got to know them on a personal level and they are extraordinary people. We have to thank them for the opportunities and the doors they have opened for us. WHY EVOLUTION TANGO? EVOLUTION: n- gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form. In my years of studying Kung Fu, I heard one story that explains this beautifully: There was a master swordsman who had a student that could mimick all of his moves perfectly. The student off course, was proud of his accomplishment. After years of studying with him, the master told the student: "go and practice everything I have taught you, and do not come back for three years!" The student did as the master said and returned after three years: "Master, I am frustrated. I practiced everything as you taught me and a third of the form does not feel like what you showed me" "No good," the master says,"leave again and do not come back for three years!" Once again the students leaves and practices continously for three years. After that time he seeks out his master: "Master, I do not understand. I feel that I am getting worse! Two thirds of the form feels different from what you taught me!" "No good!" the master says, "leave and do not come back for three years!" For the third time the student leaves and for the third time after practicing for three years, returns to his master: "Master, I have failed. Everything you have taught me is gone. The form feels nothing like what you showed me." The master smiles at his student: "Good, now the form is no longer mine, but your own!"
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