Gabriel Manta

gabriel.m@lvtango.com

Gabriel, Born in Brasov, Romania, began dancing 15 years ago while in university.  In an effort to use his movement knowledge in a different way, (he was a competitive gymnast for Romania), he was introduced to Dancesport (international ballroom dance) and eventually began performing and teaching during his studies.

In 1993, Gabriel graduated at the Masters level from the National Academy of Physical Education and Sports with a first specialization in Gymnastics and a secondary specialization in DanceSport.

He was lured to Las Vegas to work as a flyer in a High-Bar number for the Luxor and soon thereafter was hired by the world renowned Canadian company, "Cirque du Soleil" as a high bar catcher and flyer for "Mystere" at the Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas. He is currently aerial coach for The Beatles “Love” show by Cirque du Soleil, at the Mirage hotel.

Gabriel met Allyson in 1999 in Las Vegas while working on Mystere. They began a partnership in Argentine Tango, first dancing and eventually teaching.Their founding of Tango Silhouette in 2000 and perseverance in a then non-existent tango environment, planted the seeds for the Argentine Tango community that exists today.

Their students remark on their clear, elegant and precise style both dancing and teaching. Gabriel’s ability to see the mechanics of an action, translate it into something understandable and break it down into manageable pieces is his forte as a tango teacher. His clear and sensitive lead is very appreciated by his students.

Allyson Manta

allyson.m@lvtango.com

Allyson began an early professional career as a child actress in Calgary, Alberta.  She  trained  in ballet , folk and  modern dance earning honors at every level, later performing with “Calgary Youth Ballet. “ Her university studies are in Theatre Arts and subsequent years were spent working in various capacities in the theater world including founder of a small theater company,” Vancouver Conservatory Theater”.

She ran away with the circus to be choreographer and dance trainer for Montreal’s Cirque du Soleil from 1989-1998. 1999 took her on tour with “Quidam” and 1999 followed with a move to Las Vegas and an Artistic coordinator position with “Mystere”.

She has certification (RYT 200hr) in Hatha Yoga and continues studies in modern dance, kinetics, bio-mechanics and the anatomy of movement.

Her real passion in dance however was uncovered when she took her first steps in Argentine Tango 20 years ago in Montreal, Canada. This love and curiosity for the culture and dance of Argentina lead to the founding of a cultural society; “Le Societe Cultural Argentine-Quebec-Canada” (SCAQC) a tango bar; “La Tangueria” and a full time tango school; ”Le Studio Tango de Montreal”. Her most recent accomplishment was combining her love for theater and tango in the script development and direction of “Leading Ladies of Tango” (www.leadingladiesoftango.com).

The last 10 years have produced Tango Silhouette in Las Vegas, Nevada and a passionate partnership in life, dance and teaching with Gabriel Manta.

20 years later and the beauty of Argentine Tango is still astounding her in  new discoveries every day.

Mikeal Harden

mikeal.h@lvtango.com

Mikeal has been dancing tango for the last 5 years. He previously danced on the UNLV ballroom formation team but gradually became more involved with the improvisational aspect of argentine tango. He is known for his ability to shape or design his improvisations. Mikeal joined Tango Silhouette in January of 2006 and is a very valuable asset . He has a keen eye and a capacity to interpret complex structures making them simple.
 

Mikeal has benefited from the expertise of Osvaldo Zotto, Nito and Elba, Pulpo & Luiza, Orlando Paiva and Marcos Questas as well as Gabriel and Allyson. Mikeal looks forward to many years of dancing and teaching tango.