SEBASTIAN ARRUA

Natural-born tanguero, Sebastian is deeply connected to the cultural tradition of Tango, having lived and breathed this dance from an early age through the direct transmission of his father, Oscar Arrua. The family spent its life in Buenos Aires, where at the age of eight, Sebastian did his first steps as a folkloric dancer in a local dance company. By the age of eighteen, he had graduated from the renowned “Escuela Nacional de Danzas de Buenos Aires” and decided to share his vision of tango, as a professional dancer and as a teacher. 

For Sebastian, Tango is more than a passion or a heritage: it is the artistic expression of the deep connection that exists between oneself and another. This elegant dialogue that occurs during the dance is a unique moment each time, that extends and contributes to build the spirit of an authentic milonga. As a teacher Sebastian focuses on the mechanics of movement as a way to facilitate that connection with the partner, with the music and on a bigger scale, with the community. But beyond the details of the technique, the foundation and the soul of his dancing is fluidity. 

His personal style of dancing is based on salon technique, but is also influenced by a rich variety of sources that feed into its personality. Metaphorically speaking, a bridge between the 19th and the 21st century: a vision that is transferred into his teaching.  Sebastian not only provides the keys to the mastery of technique, but he also guides his students through the cultural background in order to appreciate/embrace the roots and the essence of Tango. Based on this, he fosters the personal expression of every single student so they may make the movement their own and shape their dance according to their own vision. 

He also has a huge interest in offering his students the opportunity to experience Tango at it source, in Buenos Aires, the city called “madre del tango”, with his teaching and dancing partner, Mira Barakat. In the future, he plans to organise large international events  with a live Argentinian tango orchestra. 

As a professional dancer, Sebastian has performed in the most illustrious theatres of Argentina including the Teatro Colón — which can be compared in terms of history and prestige to the Scala of Milan, or to the Vienna State Opera. His career turned international in 2010 when he started to teach abroad and to take part in, as an organiser but also as a performer, many events around the world especially in Europe, Oceania and North America. He was based first in Los Angeles and currently lives in Wellington, New Zealand, from where he travels frequently around the country inspiring New Zealand dancers.