Jeni Breen Tango Academy

Jeni is absolutely a gem! She is so pleasant to work with and really breaks the dance down in a very simple, and easy to digest manner. Even if you have never danced any kind of tango before, she will have you dancing the basics in a months time. You also do not need a partner when you join. Each class she rotates the men with the women– as a result, I was able to partner with everyone in each class several times.
I found this tango school through groupon, and have absolutely continued on to the pre-​intermediate classes. I highly, highly recommend her to anyone who wants to learn tango.
Bonus! On Thursday nights there is a «practica» session after class (free from 9:30−11 PM) for anyone who wants to stick around, practice, make some friends, and have a glass of wine!

I sampled two other tango schools, and found Jeni Breen Tango Academy truly worthy of superlatives. The staff, Jeni Breen and Matthew O’Toole, are both excellent teachers and dancers. Jeni Breen danced most of her life, and for a number years toured in the company of one of America’s famed modern dance choreographers, Donald Byrd. She has a vast knowledge of dance, including ballet, modern dance, ballroom, and the Alexander Technique. I believe this breadth of experience is what gives her a very keen eye for details as well the ability to explain the principles of the various actions in the form.
Matthew is an excellent teacher, and among the best milonga teachers in NYC. I believe this is due to his background as a musician. His musicality is truly top notch. The milonga is among the earlier forms of tango, and remains ever popular. Some people, like myself, prefer the later evolved tango to traditional milonga. Yet milonga is at the heart of tango, so to be really good at tango requires grounding in milonga. Thanks to his classes, I’m starting to enjoy and appreciate this form.
I should also mention that they seem to be really good people. One of their shared qualities which stands out and above the other teachers in NYC is generosity. They are generous with their time and with information. Outside of class time, they will drop what they’re doing to explain to you whatever concept or movement detail you need. They do this gladly. Other teachers, contrarily, can be stingy, and will want you to pay for each gram of that information (usually in the form of private lessons). Jeni and Matthew seem more concerned with the growth of their students. If you have the interest and put in the work, you will learn quickly. I can say without hesitation that they’re truly dedicated to art of teaching.
The environment of the school is friendly, easy going and casual, even though people take class pretty seriously. The age range is diverse though oriented a little toward the younger side, with a mean in the 30s.

I did intro tango here for the last month $ 85 for unlimited times during the month.
I was a bit skeptical at first about the group people would be like but once I went to class I was quickly relieved — the class was very diverse with a even mix of women and men. Some couples and a good mix of singles.
Every practice dance you change partners, so you pretty much get to know everyone in the class. This is really nice because you don’t have to worry about having a partner because one will be there for you.
Overall it was a great time. Jeni the instructor is fantastic! She’s always super positive. She made the class really enjoyable and fun.
I liked Thursday night class the best because they have an hour of open dance afterwords, they light the rooms with white lights and candles and sometimes even have wine.
I would definitely recommend this for anybody who wants to learn dance it’s low impact and it’s tons of fun.

My daughter gave me an Amazon voucher for ten classes at Jeni Breen.
I’ve always wanted to try Tango and other than a quick lesson at a pre Tango show in Argentina I’d had no experience. Jeni made it seem so effortless. Her instruction was clear, patient and she has such a soothing friendly demeanor you are instantly at ease.
The class was just the right size and everyone was so friendly. I loved it! Can’t wait for my second class.

I met Jeni Breen in the late 1990s at the Sandra Cameron Dance Center, where her devotion to dance, personal training and teaching others was immediately evident to everyone under her tutelage. She dances ballroom and Latin, and specializes in Argentine Tango. She has a vast selection of wonderful music selections which she plays in class, practice socials and weekly Milonga sessions. Her lifelong dedication to dance is evident in her every movement, and this dedication is infectious and inspiring.

In tango, as in many other arts, beginners study the basics, while the masters — study the basics!
Come to Jeni’s studio if you want to learn the basics, which is to say, if you want to learn the tango. You can always pick up «fluffy» moves elsewhere, but this school is an excellent place to learn the core fundamentals of the dance, which are so important, whether you’re a leader or a follower.
Jeni and Matthew (who is also a superb instructor and a terrific Milonga stylist) are wonderful teachers — warm, thoughtful, and deeply knowledgeable about the dance. They are committed both to the genuine transmission of Argentine Tango and to their students’ development as dancers. They are always ready to take some time to address a student’s question or concern.
I’ve been studying tango with Jeni for about two-​and-​a-​half years now, and I love to go out dancing, confident that I have been well schooled in tango (and almost as important, the etiquette of the dance). I’ve already received more compliments on my dancing than I can remember, (including more than a few from ladies who trained in Argentina), and I owe it all to Jeni and Matthew.
My fellow students have been great, too — a multitalented and diverse group of people that are all smart, friendly, and aesthetically inclined.